Pastoral Care
In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. On the shores of Lake Pukaki; in kitchens, bedrooms and Lego-strewn living rooms; at school events; walking the dog, pushing a buggy, or stuck in traffic with a child kicking the back of the driver’s seat—Prins blends wry humour and emotional depth to illuminate the dark gulf between youthful dreams and the reality of adult obligations.
Prins reinvigorates the tradition of social realism in New Zealand short fiction, investing character, scene and dialogue with a distinctive, engaging voice. Often moving, frequently funny, and always relatable, Pastoral Care marks the arrival of a bold new voice in New Zealand fiction.
Pastoral Care is the second title in the Landfall Tauraka short story series, following Pretty Ugly by Kirsty Gunn.
‘Powerful, unusual stories, brimming with evocative language.’
—Owen Marshall
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Reviews and Interviews
‘Familial relationships, connection, and the complex emotional territory that comes with parenting are overarching themes in John Prins’ wry and well-observed debut short story collection, Pastoral Care. Prins is an imaginative writer. He puts layered characters and emotional complexity on the page. His paragraphs spill with observation and texture. As a collection, Pastoral Care is well-observed, wry, and offers many recognisable moments.’
Kirsteen Ure for Kete Books Read
About the author
John Prins
John Prins has a Master of Creative Writing from Auckland University. His stories have been published in Landfall and Newsroom. He lives with his family in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Pastoral Care is his first book.
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