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Out of the mist and steam: A memoir
Here for the first time is this controversial writers real childhood and early adulthood. The mixed feelings of an intelligent, sensitive child talented but tormented; the eventual separation from his family; violence, crime, borstal and finally prison in England. How he turned his life around to become, not only New Zealands best selling novelist, but also a spokesperson for a large number of underprivileged New Zealanders, a controversial columnist and the initiator of the brilliantly successful Books in Homes schemes is both moving and compelling reading. About the Author Alan Duff, one of New Zealand's best known writers, is the author of four novels, a non-fiction work, a novella and two children's books.
- GenresNonfictionAutobiography
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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76 people want to read
About the author
Alan Duff
38books53followersAlan Duff (born October 26, 1950, Rotorua, New Zealand) is a New Zealand novelist and newspaper columnist, most well known as the author of Once Were Warriors. He began to write full-time in 1985.
He tried writing a thriller as his first novel, but it was rejected. He burned the manuscript and started writing Once Were Warriors, which had an immediate and great impact. The novel is written in juxtaposed interior monologues, making its style stand out from other works. It was winner of the PEN Best First Book Award, was runner-up in the Goodman Fielder Wattie Award, and was made into the award-winning film of the same name in 1994.
Another of his novels, One Night Out Stealing, appeared in 1991 and shortlisted in the 1992 Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards.
He was also awarded the Frank Sargeson Fellowship in 1991, and began writing a weekly -- later bi-weekly � column for the Evening Post (Wellington newspaper), syndicated to eight other newspapers. In this, and in his 1993 analysis, Māori: The Crisis and the Challenge, he has developed his ideas on the failures of Māoridom, castigating both the traditional leadership and the radical movement for dwelling on the injustices of the past and expecting others to resolve them, instead of encouraging Māori to get on and help themselves. The blame for Māori underperformance he puts squarely back on Māori, for not making the most of the opportunities given them. This somewhat simplistic message has proved highly controversial.
State Ward started as a series of episodes on radio in 1993 and was published as a novella in 1994.
The Books in Homes scheme, co-founded in 1995 by Duff and Christine Fernyhough, with commercial sponsorship and government support, aims to alleviate poverty and illiteracy by providing low-cost books to underprivileged children, thus encouraging them to read. In its first year alone it put about 180,000 new books in the hands of about 38,000 children. By 2008, the scheme delivered 5 million books to schools around New Zealand.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1996), the sequel to Once Were Warriors, was the winner of the fiction section of the 1997 Montana Book Awards and was also made in to a film in 1999. Two Sides of the Moon was published in 1998. Duff wrote his own memoir, Out of the Mist and the Steam, in 1999. His first novel to be set outside of New Zealand is Szabad (2001). Inspired by the stories of people Duff met during his several trips to Hungary, the story takes place in Budapest during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Jake's Long Shadow (2002) is the third volume in Duff's Once Were Warriors trilogy. In 2003 Once Were Warriors was brought to the stage across New Zealand as a musical drama.
He tried writing a thriller as his first novel, but it was rejected. He burned the manuscript and started writing Once Were Warriors, which had an immediate and great impact. The novel is written in juxtaposed interior monologues, making its style stand out from other works. It was winner of the PEN Best First Book Award, was runner-up in the Goodman Fielder Wattie Award, and was made into the award-winning film of the same name in 1994.
Another of his novels, One Night Out Stealing, appeared in 1991 and shortlisted in the 1992 Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards.
He was also awarded the Frank Sargeson Fellowship in 1991, and began writing a weekly -- later bi-weekly � column for the Evening Post (Wellington newspaper), syndicated to eight other newspapers. In this, and in his 1993 analysis, Māori: The Crisis and the Challenge, he has developed his ideas on the failures of Māoridom, castigating both the traditional leadership and the radical movement for dwelling on the injustices of the past and expecting others to resolve them, instead of encouraging Māori to get on and help themselves. The blame for Māori underperformance he puts squarely back on Māori, for not making the most of the opportunities given them. This somewhat simplistic message has proved highly controversial.
State Ward started as a series of episodes on radio in 1993 and was published as a novella in 1994.
The Books in Homes scheme, co-founded in 1995 by Duff and Christine Fernyhough, with commercial sponsorship and government support, aims to alleviate poverty and illiteracy by providing low-cost books to underprivileged children, thus encouraging them to read. In its first year alone it put about 180,000 new books in the hands of about 38,000 children. By 2008, the scheme delivered 5 million books to schools around New Zealand.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1996), the sequel to Once Were Warriors, was the winner of the fiction section of the 1997 Montana Book Awards and was also made in to a film in 1999. Two Sides of the Moon was published in 1998. Duff wrote his own memoir, Out of the Mist and the Steam, in 1999. His first novel to be set outside of New Zealand is Szabad (2001). Inspired by the stories of people Duff met during his several trips to Hungary, the story takes place in Budapest during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Jake's Long Shadow (2002) is the third volume in Duff's Once Were Warriors trilogy. In 2003 Once Were Warriors was brought to the stage across New Zealand as a musical drama.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 1, 2021
Rotorua's Prodigal Son-Childhood and Beyond!
This controversial legend has made his mark on New Zealand culture for numerous reasons. Primarily for an international audience, because he exposed the underbelly of life here in our largest city with its gangs and behaviour, its attitudes and effects through his remarkable first novel, "Once Were Warriors". However, he's more known recently locally for his opinionated columns in the NZ Herald as well as his recent return from overseas and his philanthropic "Books in Homes" foundation.
Now, I have to confess that Jake "The Muss" Heke as acted by the wonderful Temuera Morrison leaves me queasy so I cannot yet bring myself to read his trilogy of toxic masculinity. However, his opinions are always worth mulling over and the man has "balls". He calls out BS when he sees it and rightly so. So, I was fascinated by the promise of this book.
And, indeed, he's written a good memoir which really does expose his inflences and early life story(whakapapa). The dysfunctional relationship between his diffident logical scientist Pakeha(white European) father and his Maori mother, a clash of opposing personality types strained beyond belief by the demon drink. Growing up in a state housing locality with an extended whanau(family) of indigenous Maori, he brings to life the freedom but also the perils of existence; the highs and lows; the perks and the pitfalls of such an environment high in social and sporting culture but low in enthusiasm for educational and intellectual pursuits. It's definitely an illuminating read.
His descriptions of his running away (which were actually a desire for adventure) together with his refusal of authority sadly precipitated his detention in Borstal, state care and Young Offenders' institutions but even so, his adult life saw him achieve a trade of installing insulation, at which he clearly excelled.
His writing, however did not commence until his jail term in the UK for white collar crime-cheque fraud. He finally achieved the discipline he needed to utilise all those characters he'd met in the criminal fraternity whom he had spent a few years being exposed to.
In terms of literature, it's an undemanding read convincingly told, enhancing empathy. He's not looking for your sympathy and he doesn’t spare criticism of his own activities. It's difficult to assess his literary influences would be my only regret and that may well reflect his culture of denial of self-promotion.
Definitely recommended. 4 sparkling 🌟
This controversial legend has made his mark on New Zealand culture for numerous reasons. Primarily for an international audience, because he exposed the underbelly of life here in our largest city with its gangs and behaviour, its attitudes and effects through his remarkable first novel, "Once Were Warriors". However, he's more known recently locally for his opinionated columns in the NZ Herald as well as his recent return from overseas and his philanthropic "Books in Homes" foundation.
Now, I have to confess that Jake "The Muss" Heke as acted by the wonderful Temuera Morrison leaves me queasy so I cannot yet bring myself to read his trilogy of toxic masculinity. However, his opinions are always worth mulling over and the man has "balls". He calls out BS when he sees it and rightly so. So, I was fascinated by the promise of this book.
And, indeed, he's written a good memoir which really does expose his inflences and early life story(whakapapa). The dysfunctional relationship between his diffident logical scientist Pakeha(white European) father and his Maori mother, a clash of opposing personality types strained beyond belief by the demon drink. Growing up in a state housing locality with an extended whanau(family) of indigenous Maori, he brings to life the freedom but also the perils of existence; the highs and lows; the perks and the pitfalls of such an environment high in social and sporting culture but low in enthusiasm for educational and intellectual pursuits. It's definitely an illuminating read.
His descriptions of his running away (which were actually a desire for adventure) together with his refusal of authority sadly precipitated his detention in Borstal, state care and Young Offenders' institutions but even so, his adult life saw him achieve a trade of installing insulation, at which he clearly excelled.
His writing, however did not commence until his jail term in the UK for white collar crime-cheque fraud. He finally achieved the discipline he needed to utilise all those characters he'd met in the criminal fraternity whom he had spent a few years being exposed to.
In terms of literature, it's an undemanding read convincingly told, enhancing empathy. He's not looking for your sympathy and he doesn’t spare criticism of his own activities. It's difficult to assess his literary influences would be my only regret and that may well reflect his culture of denial of self-promotion.
Definitely recommended. 4 sparkling 🌟
June 12, 2017
A fascinating portrayal of Alan Duff's early life. Before reading this memoir I knew Alan Duff only as a talented writer and the driving force behind Books in Homes In New Zealand. If fans of Once Were Warriors want to know where that seminal work came from, read this memoir. Despite his acknowledged shyness and feelings of not being good enough, Alan Duff should be rightly proud of his achievements against appalling odds.
February 24, 2011
Picked this up for a dollar in a NZ library that I visited with my librarian co-travelers! Considering books in NZ typically cost $35 for a quality paperback, this was a bargain. Also really liked reading it as a companion to Once Were Warriors- it is his memoir and describes a lot of the background for his novel.
January 13, 2012
Very interesting book. Wonder if they will be able to to make this into a movie. Had to read it while making sure no one was looking over my shoulder on the train.
January 1, 2022
A pretty tough read. Such a tragic childhood which would have been oh so different had Alan’s mother been a gentle spirit rather than the angry lost soul she was. Being a Kiwi it was interesting to read of the Whaka kids diving for pennies as this was for me a very real memory from early childhood visits to Whaka. We are only now beginning to understand the damage that brutal officials running schools, borstal, jails and similar institutions inflict on young minds and one can easily understand how a battered child becomes very defensive in a world where no one takes the time to understand the reasons behind unacceptable behaviour.
December 22, 2021
Interesting read, and his story told well. Made me want to read some of his other books.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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