The Author's Cut

Between novels, I’m biting my way through Owen Marshall?’s short story collection, The Author’s Cut. I think Marshall is one of New Zealand’s best living writers and the opening story – a murder set in the Mackenzie region – is the basis for a new Hollywood film. It is terrific and gives me chills whenever I drive down the state highway featured in the story.

Renee Rowland, Stuff

Yet (as Mandrake would say) I can’t recall such a strong reaction to a piece of fiction. Marshall can really deliver a punch. For many readers, and for those who’ve admired 'Coming Home in the Dark' and made a successful movie out of it, that’s a powerful recommendation in itself. There are 20 stories, chosen by Marshall from his 13 previous works, and the most striking feature of the collection is its extraordinary range of tone. The explosive opener is followed by benign character studies, warm and often comic depictions of ordinary people and their complex relationships. . . . From human kindness to powerful nastiness, from beauty to dreariness, there’s a whole lot packed into this collection. 'Coming Home in the Dark' is a lively and rich read. Don’t fly into a rage and drop the book, don’t storm away from the Volvo. Keep reading.

Charlotte Grimshaw, newsroom.co.nz

It opens with the terrifying Coming Home in the Dark . . . there are 19 other short stories in this outstanding collection. Savour each one and its unique portrayal of life, love, childhood, twists and turns, unusual plots and humour. Each is a treasure. Marshall is a superbly skilled writer. Most stories are based in New Zealand. Some are funny and some dark and scary.

Linda Thompson, Katikati Advertiser

Assembled here are 20 stories chosen by the author from his 13 previous collections, dating back to the first in 1979. And what a wealth of treasures he has had from which to make his selection. The range is enormous and extraordinary, from domestic black comedy to post-modern satire and much else in between . . . It could be said that the world is divided between those who adore Owen Marshall's writing and those who haven't yet been exposed to it. There will be no argument that he is now at that stage of his career which requires any mention of his name to be prefixed with the adjective "beloved", and deservedly so.

Paul Little, North & South