Join Sarah Myles in a discussion with Ray Shipley on her novel Towards the Mountain.

On 28 November in 1979 Frank Christmas (a carpenter from New Plymouth) boarded a sightseeing flight to Antarctica and never came home. He died on the slopes of an active volcano 4000 kilometres from home with 256 other adventurers.

More than 40 years on from the Mount Erebus disaster, author Sarah Myles’ research took her across the country to weave together the stories of her grandfather, his fellow adventurers and the people who helped to bring them home.

Towards the Mountain (shortlisted for the General Non-Fiction Book of the Year and Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2020) tells the story of what happened and its enduring impact on those most affected. A reflection on the legacy of grief, what emerges is a testament to the possibility of hope and healing.

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This event is part of Puke Ariki’s Festival of Words - a fabulous four day programme that will entertain, inspire and educate.
From Thursday 29 July to Sunday 1 August we’re bringing you performances and conversations with some of Aotearoa’s biggest names in the literary arts.

See you there!
The Puke Ariki Festival of Words Team

Take a look at the other Festival of Words events FOW | Puke Ariki