Sharp spotting and posting by Makaro Press: Becky Manawatu’s novel Auē, winner of the Jann Medlicott Acorn Pride for Fiction, 2020 and the Ngaio Marsh award for best crime novel, 2020, wins a walk-on part in And Just Like That, the revival and sequel of television series Sex in the City.

How could this possibly happen? Well, it seems that Sarah in her role of literary icon, Carrie, along with that show’s writers, delights in choosing which books she will carry as an accessory to her character.

But there is a further association with New Zealand culture. She enjoys New Zealand sauvignon blanc, and in 2019 became a business partner in Waikato’s wine Invivo.

Still haven’t read Auē? Reserve it from our catalogue:

Auē / Manawatu, Becky
“Taukiri was born into sorrow. Auē can be heard in the sound of the sea he loves and hates, and in the music he draws out of the guitar that was his father’s. It spills out of the gang violence that killed his father and sent his mother into hiding, and the shame he feels about abandoning his eight-year-old brother to another violent home. But Arama is braver than he looks, and he has a friend and his friend has a dog, and the three of them together might just be strong enough to turn back the tide of sorrow. As long as there’s aroha to give and stories to tell and a good supply of plasters”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)