Gift Books (Press, 7 December 1978)

On 7 December 1978, Gordon Tait’s bookshop in Cashel Street features a selection of books ideal for Christmas gifting. Among the highlighted titles is "Overseizure" (An O.E. Overdose) by Tom Scott, which delivers a humorous take on the experiences of New Zealanders abroad through letters to family. The illustrations accompanying the text are done by a well-known artist, and the book is published by Whitcoulls. Tait also commends “The Cement Garden” by Ian McEwan, describing it as the best novel he has read in a decade. This novel is a nuanced exploration of adolescence that delicately balances between the realms of fantasy and reality. Another notable book is “Big Boys Don’t Cry” written by Felix Donnelly, a New Zealand priest and social worker. This work, published by Cassell, addresses various societal issues facing the community and proposes potential solutions, indicating a strong resonance with contemporary social themes. Sheila Natusch’s “The Cruise of the Acheron” provides an engaging account of an early voyage around New Zealand, accentuating historical narratives from colonial times. This book, also published by Whitcoulls, is recognized for its diligent research and depiction of the people and places from that era. Lastly, Tait highlights “Antarctica” by Eliot Porter, a visually stunning publication featuring 80 colour photographs and evocative text that portrays the enigmatic qualities of the continent. This deluxe edition, published by Hutchinson, is noted for its outstanding presentation and personal insight from the author. In the realm of yachting literature, “Cape Horn To Port” by Erroll Bruce offers the official record of the 1977-78 Whitbread Round-the-World Race. Tait admires the book's comprehensive account, including failures and their reasons, providing a balanced perspective on the competitive event that saw 15 yachts from various nations. As a fellow sailing enthusiast, he appreciates the depth and detail provided by the yachting veteran and committee member involved in the organisation of the race. This publication is by the Nautical Publishing Company. Overall, Tait’s collection showcases a diverse range of noteworthy literary works perfectly suited for the festive season.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand