Author Interview: Tracy Farr, Wonderland
We chat to author Tracy Farr about her new novel, Wonderland.
The setting for Tracy Farr’s latest novel is a real-life, now long-gone attraction from Wellington's past - Wonderland. Wonderland was Wellington’s first amusement park. Based in Miramar, it opened in 1907 and was located near the present-day Wētā Cave. Its various attractions were originally to be found at the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1906-1907 (held in Christchurch).
The impresario who brought the various marvels in the park to Wellington was Robert Chase Morris, who described it variously as a “mecca for merry makers” and a “palace of pleasures”. Tracy Farr takes this location and its unique ambience and works in a ‘what if’ plot, in which Madam Curie seeks refuge from scandal in Wonderland. The novel has heart and energy, is beautifully crafted and explores the themes of dreams, loss and sisterhood.
About the Author
Tracy Farr is a local Pōneke writer with a past life as a scientist, and these two professional lives bond ionically in this book.
Melbourne-born and Perth-raised, she lived for five years in Vancouver before moving to Aotearoa in 1996. She’s lived on Te Motu Kairangi Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, where Wonderland is set, for nearly thirty years. Her debut novel The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt was longlisted for Australia’s Miles Franklin Literary Award, and shortlisted for the Barbara Jefferis Award and Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. Wonderland is her third novel. She’s co-curator of the live literary series Bad Diaries Salon and its sister project, Bad Diaries Podcast.
Find more information over at Tracy's website.
Tracy Farr by Ebony Lamb. All rights reserved.
Listen to our interview with Tracy
We were thrilled when Tracy took time out from her very busy schedule to discuss Wonderland and her writing, and we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to her.
This interview was done in conjunction with Caffeine and Aspirin, the arts and entertainment review show on Radioactive FM. And was conducted by Tanya Ashcroft.
