In MACHINES LIKE ME the scientist Alan Turing did not die in 1954 but is instead instrumental to fast-forwarding the digital age. This novel is set in 1982 and Margaret Thatcher’s Britain has just lost – yes lost – the Falkland War. In this alternative version of the universe, our main protagonist Charlie has foolishly squandered his mother’s inheritance on one of the twenty-five first synthetic humans, twelve Adams and thirteen Eves. Charlie would have preferred an Eve, but they were sold out first. In the course of the novel we see how Charlie and Adam relate to each other....
On Easter Saturday, 20 April 2019, Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore hosted Owen Marshall and his wife Jackie Jones. Owen read from his latest novel Pearly Gates. This novel about a small-town, South Island mayor has the locals wondering if it is a roman-à-clef. But that is not essential to the story. Owen Marshall is the king of characterisation and Pearly Gates is no different. The subtle workings of the rise and fall of Pat (Pearly) Gates gives this book a universal flavour in a beautiful, familiar setting. After the reading, who should walk past the shop but Graham Smith, mayor...
GUEST AUTHOR GAVIN BISHOP What an honour it was to have children’s book creator Gavin Bishop visit Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore. On the last Friday of the summer holidays Gavin travelled to Lake Tekapo to talk about this two latest books. Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story is a sumptuously illustrated story of New Zealand. It explores the defining moments of our history from the Big Bang right through what might happen tomorrow. His newest book: Cook’s Cook, The Cook who Cooked for Captain Cook is a beautiful children’s book full of information drawn from extensive research alongside evocative illustrations. Its...
All you lovely customers please note that Petronella’s Gallery and Bookstore is reducing the opening hours for the winter months. We will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00am to 4:00pm. ( closed on Monday and Tuesday - but open on request😀).
It was only at the end of September 2018 that I received the news that I could convert two garages in the ‘Old Post Office Units’ into my much anticipated bookstore. A frantic month followed in which the days were filled with construction and nights with ordering. In fact, I had plenty of time on my hand because I could not sleep anyway. I enjoyed the camaraderie with my new neighbours, Steve and Vick from L J Hooker Real Estate and Carol and Craig from Lake Tekapo Holiday Homes. Although the building is very central, the misguided infrastructure made it...
