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Leather & Chains: My 1986 Diary
Not yet published
Expected 11 Jun 26- GenresNonfictionMemoir
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Though Goodreads says this is yet to be released, clearly there is a disjoint between Aotearoa and elsewhere as I attended the launch a fortnight ago and its top of the Unity Books Wellington bestseller list the same week.
That said - this book captures a time and place, through the teen voice of the adult reviewing poet we have to day Kate Camp. So much of the diary is familar to us that grew up here in Wellington. The landscape, even some of the experiences piece together fragments from our own memories.
I loved the love and tenderness Camp gives to her teen self. Would be all be so brave to show our thoughts and deeds of the same time and place.
I finished the read in tears. Of admiration for the writer, of the apin of growing up in a world where you long to belong and yest be different at the same time. Of how hard we are on ourselves and how much emphasis we place on things that really dont matter at all.
Kate is brave, articulate, and open - would we could all be the same. Kia kaha Wahine Toa.
That said - this book captures a time and place, through the teen voice of the adult reviewing poet we have to day Kate Camp. So much of the diary is familar to us that grew up here in Wellington. The landscape, even some of the experiences piece together fragments from our own memories.
I loved the love and tenderness Camp gives to her teen self. Would be all be so brave to show our thoughts and deeds of the same time and place.
I finished the read in tears. Of admiration for the writer, of the apin of growing up in a world where you long to belong and yest be different at the same time. Of how hard we are on ourselves and how much emphasis we place on things that really dont matter at all.
Kate is brave, articulate, and open - would we could all be the same. Kia kaha Wahine Toa.
Review of advance copy
Not sure why it says pre-publication review as I purchased this last weekend from Whitcoulls LQ? Regardless, such a great read, will be something I ponder for a long time. Makes me wonder how I will view my own journal in the years to come!! Such a special book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Weirdly, the publication date here is June 2026 but it has been out since early 2026, from memory. FANTASTIC memoir based on Kate Camp's 1986 diary, using the diary as a lens through which to view the past and the present. Favourite NZ read of 2026 so far.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This to me is a perfect book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fierce
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews