The Taming

(Paperback)

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Description

Hamish Harrison lives with his mum, Sylvie, a menagerie of animals, ever-present money worries and the social problems of a boy more inclined to music than sport. On the brink of his teenage years, the trials of family life and fitting in at school seem less important when the concert pianist next door offers to teach him to play. But growing up is never easy, and Hamish must learn to meet the world face-to-face as well as in his imagination. This warm, gentle and heartfelt coming-of-age story is the first novel by one of our brightest new writers. The narrator, Hamish Harrison, is an irresistible character - smart, funny and teetering on the edge of innocence, about to tumble into the adult world of experience. His adventures with his pets, his mum's boyfriends and his next-door neighbours will leave readers touched, tickled and most of all, smiling.

Author Bio

Victoria McHalick is one of New Zealand's best new writers. A graduate of Bill Manhire's creative writing program at Victoria University, she is also a qualified lawyer and an accomplished musician and composer. Victoria's collection of short stories, The Honey Suckers, was published to critical acclaim in 2001. The Taming is her first novel. Victoria is married with two children and lives in Wellington.