Iris and Me by Philippa Werry
About Philippa Werry
Philippa Werry is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays. Her interest in history has produced titles such as Anzac Day, Best Mates, Waitangi Day, Armistice Day, Lighthouse Family, The New Zealand Wars, The Telegram, The Water Bottle, Quarantine, The Other Sister and This Is Where I Stand. Iris and Me was the runner-up of the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize 2022. Her work has also appeared in the School Journal, educational publications and in various anthologies and has been broadcast on radio. Several of her books have been shortlisted for awards and she is a frequent speaker with the Writers in Schools programme. She lives in Wellington. For further information, visit:
Quote from Philippa Werry
“It’s a thrill and total delight to know that Iris and Me has been longlisted for the 2023 ARA Historical Novel Prize, and I feel honoured to be in the company of the other longlisted authors. How wonderful to have a prize especially for historical writing and writers, and for those of us who love the challenge of trying to make history alive and relevant for today’s young readers. It has also been an honour to bring the story of Iris Wilkinson – who wrote under the name of Robin Hyde – to a new audience, and I hope her bravery, courage and determination will inspire readers of the book. Grateful thanks to the ARA Group and HNSA for supporting this prize, and thanks also to my wonderful publisher, The Cuba Press.”
About Iris and Me
“This is the story of a long journey and a true friend. It is the story of other things, too: sisters (three) ships (many) secrets (a multitude) … I don’t have a name of my own, but my friend does. Her name is Iris.”
So begins the story of Iris Wilkinson, who wrote poetry, novels and journalism under the pen name Robin Hyde. In January 1938 she left New Zealand for England. On the way, intrigued by glimpses of China, she ventured inland despite the war raging there, becoming one of the first women war correspondents – a feat that was all the more remarkable because she struggled with mental health and suffered a disability that meant she had a lifelong limp. Her story is narrated by a loyal but mysterious companion who asks the reader to guess their secret.
Iris and Me is an imaginative account of the adventures of one of Aotearoa’s most significant writers, presented in a form that Hyde herself would have loved – the verse novel. It was the runner-up for the NZSA Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize 2022.
