Wild Journeys

by Bruce Ansley

Discover a world of wild, mysterious and audacious journeys One of New Zealand's best writers retraces a diverse array of wild and fascinating journeys, including the mythical path to Erewhon; George Wilder's prison escape route through the volcanic plateau; the Maori prophet and faith-healer Rua Hepetipa's track in the Ureweras; searching for the grey ghost in Fiordland; finding New Zealand's most remote gold-mining settlement; and surviving the graveyard trip on the Bluebridge ferry.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Audiobook

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2018

About the author

Bruce Ansley is the author of eight books. His book Coast: A New Zealand Journey, with photographer Jane Ussher, won best illustrated non-fiction book at the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2014.

His television credits include writing for A Week of It and McPhail and Gadsby.

He has worked in England and New Zealand, in radio, television and newspapers, and for two decades was a writer for The New Zealand Listener before becoming a full-time author in 2007. He has won fellowships to Oxford University and Cambridge University, and a number of journalism awards.

Ansley tells stories of a New Zealand he loves. He is a keen tramper and has walked over much of the country. He has driven over all of the 60 roads in Wild Roads, some of them many times. He has lived in the four main cities, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

He was once a commercial fisherman in Fiordland and a deer farmer on Banks Peninsula. He has built a house in the far reaches of Pelorus Sound and for many years spent a good part of his life in a tiny, traditional bach in Golden Bay. He loves the water and will be found out on the water any good day in his Norwegian motor-sailer. Ansley has three sons. He and his wife Sally have moved from their beloved Christchurch to Waiheke Island to be closer to family.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it, but would've been better with maps and/or illustrations.

[Raina Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is often the case when it comes to collections like this one, there were some tales that were gripping and immersive, and others that passed me by. Overall, I enjoyed hearing these New Zealand stories - some of which I had heard before, others which were new to me. As far as 'wild' goes.... yeah, I feel that title doesn't quite deliver. It was more of a nostalgic look back at various iconic kiwi moments, landmarks and people.

[Soph · Rating 2 out of 5]

The chapters with more historical elements were gripping, but many of the chapters were entirely anecdotal and just too vague. I enjoyed a lot of parts of this book but overall felt that I hadn’t really read a book so much as a collection of short stories that varied in quality. As a very basic introduction to New Zealand nature, some might like it.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories are interesting, but they're interesting in the way that some random half-remembered (questionably true) facts that my dad spurts out occasionally about an incredibly niche thing are cool. Which isn't to say that I didn't like it, just that I can't really see myself actually remembering any of the stories in great detail. I finished this book a while ago and I'm pretty sure I only remember about a quarter of it. Perhaps it's time for a reread though - from what I remember, the stories were engaging to me and it was well written. I will say George Wilder is fascinating and I'm amazed that I didn't know about him until now, especially since he's (maybe?) still alive. Even just the simple anecdotes about travelling down highways in the summer were interesting and felt very real (and I'm really just a sucker for fondly remembered adventures in the sun). Overall I really enjoyed listening to Wild Journeys while hiking this summer, would recommend if you're interested in Australiana type stuff (even though it's not aussie :)).

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't nearly as wild as one might think from the title - it includes driving down State Highway One and hiking up a hill that had been hiked up when the author was a boy scout. He also looks into volcanoes, walks on the northern and southern most parts of NZ, looks for the South Island kokako (functionally extinct sadly), and investigates a famous prison escapee (that was a great story). I thought the narrator was absolutely terrific!

[Tarsh Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book had a little more of the wild, and a little less of the kiwi nostalgia. Loved the Wilder & Whitcombe yarns. That said, I can't help loving Ansley's writing style. Charismatic and engaging

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Aue! I was so looking forward to this read, but was so disappointed with what a boring slog it was... The only reason I kept going was for the hopes that he might have kept some of his best stories for the end of the book, but more disappointment there too.

[John Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy fun read with a mix of historical and contemporary tales. I enjoyed it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the chapter about the south island kokako. Otherwise a bit hit and miss, with some chapters not that interesting.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intresting in parts, but I probably would have gotten more out of it if I had a better awareness of NZ geography.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Some incredible stories.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stories and a few I didn’t enjoy as much. This book desperately needs some maps.

[Kathleen Moy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book, but didn’t have much interest in the majority of it. The stories were interesting enough but I had hard time following the writing style.

[Elimds9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some tales were immersive and thrilling, others meandered, but overall an interesting read - agree with another reviewer that the addition of maps would have been a sound improvement.