Writers on Mondays

Home and Away: Noelle McCarthy

Early in 2020, Noelle McCarthy travelled to Ireland where her mammy, Carol, was dying, then back to New Zealand as borders were slamming shut. Written through the years of the pandemic, Grand is about mothers and daughters, running away and going home, Noelle and Carol. It’s been a best-seller here, winning the E.H. McCormick Prize at the 2023 Ockham Awards. This June, Noelle flew to Ireland to launch the United Kingdom and Irish edition.

Kate Duignan talks to 2023 Writer-in-Residence Noelle about the reception of the book on both sides of the world, and what’s left to write after a memoir.

Writers on Mondays is presented by the International Institute of Modern Letters with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Circa Theatre and Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day.

All welcome and it’s free of charge.