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Queen’s Wife: A memoir of a turbulent time, and a chess game that broke all the rules.

Drayton, Joanne

$40.00

1 in stock

1 in stock

A modern love story- whakapapa, archaeology, art and heartbreak.

A memoir of a turbulent time – and a chess game that broke all the rules.

In 1989, two married women met by chance. They instantly hit it off, but little did they know that their new relationship would turn their lives upside-down.

This is the true story of that relationship, which threatened to cost them their children, families and friends and forced them to reassess their sexuality, identity and heritage. Along the way, one – an acclaimed biographer – was to explore the power of objects, while the other – a painter – was to follow her whakapapa back to the first Maori king, Te Wherowhero.

Against the odds, the couple’s new life together became rich in laughter, travel, unusual encounters, investigations into Viking raids, the Kingitanga movement, the death of a New Zealand artist, chicken claws, ghosts, eccentrics and much more. A fascinating read on so many levels, this is an important view of our country from its very edge.

Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Imprint: Penguin Books NZ
Publication date: 31/01/2023

Staff review

The Queen’s Wife
by Joanne Drayton
Review by Ray

This is a memoir of a forbidden relationship blooming between two married women against the backdrop of conservative 90’s Christchurch – a fascinating, sometimes gut-wrenching story that reminds us how far we’ve come. The book is much more than that though – Drayton weaves in beautiful retellings of the lives of her and her wife’s ancestors, placing their story in a wider context and creating a compelling reflection on history, identity, and belonging. An affecting read.