Description

Book Synopsis
The full story of the gifted but troubled R. A. K. Mason is told for the first time in this accessible biography. The puzzling reasons after his extraordinary beginning that Mason almost completely stopped writing poetry are investigated. The legendary story of how Mason dumped 200 copies of his first book, The Beggar, into Auckland harbor in disappointment, disgust, or despair because no one would buy it is explored as a symbol of a timeâthe 1920s and 1930sâwhen a true, vital, native literature struggled to be written or heard in a provincial and puritanical country. Also explored are how Masonâs political beliefs prompted him to turn his creative energies to left-wing theater movements in the 1930s, the impact that family pressures had on his life, and his late-in-life diagnosis with manic depression.

Mason

    Product form

    £25.60

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £26.95 – you save £1.35 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 15 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Rachel Barrowman

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Mason by Rachel Barrowman

      Publisher: Te Herenga Waka University Press
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 08/01/2003
      ISBN13: 9780864734631, 978-0864734631
      ISBN10: 0864734638
      Also in:
      Literary companions, book reviews and guides

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The full story of the gifted but troubled R. A. K. Mason is told for the first time in this accessible biography. The puzzling reasons after his extraordinary beginning that Mason almost completely stopped writing poetry are investigated. The legendary story of how Mason dumped 200 copies of his first book, The Beggar, into Auckland harbor in disappointment, disgust, or despair because no one would buy it is explored as a symbol of a timeâthe 1920s and 1930sâwhen a true, vital, native literature struggled to be written or heard in a provincial and puritanical country. Also explored are how Masonâs political beliefs prompted him to turn his creative energies to left-wing theater movements in the 1930s, the impact that family pressures had on his life, and his late-in-life diagnosis with manic depression.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account