The Not So Poor: An Autobiography

by Mary Isabella Lee

This autobiography, both shocking and moving, is a vivid personal account of the life of a working-class woman in southern New Zealand from the 1880s to the 1920s. Mary Isabella Lee was the mother of famous Labour politician John A. Lee and her book, now published for the first time, is in part a rejoinder to the fictionalised version of his childhood in Children of the Poor.

163 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Rob Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read if you have read children of the poor. Makes an interesting contrast to John A. Lee's description of his childhood. Mostly though this book is about Mary's own life which is interesting in its own right. Difficult to read at first because of her writing style which has not been edited to correct spelling and grammar from her original writings.