Grace Notes

by Jenny Pattrick

Set in the New Zealand of the 1990s, this tender and amusing novel tells the story of one woman’s quest to stay loyal to letter writing while resisting the emerging trend of e-mail. Through her stories and correspondence, her friendships, the antics of her argumentative bowling club, and her love life are all vividly illustrated. As her tale unfolds, Grace faces new challenges as the problems of younger people invade her solitary life. Despite her struggles, she inevitably touches the lives of many with her warmth, feistiness, intelligence, and frailty.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jenny Pattrick is an acclaimed historical novelist, whose The Denniston Rose, and its sequel Heart of Coal, are among New Zealand's bestselling novels. In 2009 she received the New Zealand Post Mansfield Fellowship. She has been active in the arts community, and has also written stories, songs and shows for children.

Jenny Pattrick has been awarded the OBE for services to the arts, the 1990 medal, is featured in the Wellington Girls' College Hall of Fame and has received the NZ Post Katherine Mansfield Prize.

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, short, novel.
Well researched, with accurate references to things going on at the time.
All the characters were well developed and felt genuine.

[Lesley Moseley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to hear 80 year old 'voices' and then teenagers, and all ring true.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which was largely written in the form of notes to and from Grace.