Come Back to Mona Vale is a beautifully written, compelling narrative/memoir that sets about unravelling the mysteries and anomalies behind the public history of a wealthy Christchurch business family in the first half of the 20th century. The author-as narrator gradually becomes aware that his family heritage isn’t necessarily the norm, nor what he expected. He realises that family members don’t speak to each other about the most private events. The story unfolds like a crime or detective tale, and also delves into the history of the Canterbury colony, contrasting Christchurch’s public values, aspirations, and beauty with its murkier private behaviour. And yet the story is told with a graceful touch and an eye for the vivid, comic, and telling detail. Alexander McKinnon’s explorations of his family’s past is the record of a beautiful and grand (yet gradually crumbling) manor interwoven with social history—with a sense of the Gothic, of obsession, and of a tight-knit circle where secrets wreak a terrible climax leading to a form of inter-generational haunting.
This book title, Come Back to Mona Vale (Life and death in a Christchurch mansion), ISBN: 9781990048067, by Alexander McKinnon, published by Otago University Press (February 28, 2022) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer Come Back to Mona Vale (Life and death in a Christchurch mansion) books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.
Prefer to work with a human being when you order Come Back to Mona Vale (Life and death in a Christchurch mansion) books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!
