[{"_1":2,"_1296":-5,"_1297":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_738":739},"root",{"_5":6,"_41":42,"_45":46,"_50":51,"_117":118,"_736":737},"menuLinks",[7,19,24,29,37],{"_8":9,"_10":11,"_12":13,"_14":15,"_16":-5,"_17":18},"_key","07171416491c","_type","linkInternal","documentType","locationPortal","slug","/stores","style","title","Our Stores",{"_8":20,"_10":11,"_12":21,"_14":22,"_16":-5,"_17":23},"6b665663ec71","page","/pages/about","About",{"_8":25,"_10":11,"_12":26,"_14":27,"_16":-5,"_17":28},"c1d4d5559585","newsAndEventsPortal","/news-and-events","News & Events",{"_8":30,"_10":31,"_32":33,"_17":34,"_35":36},"4f581d11a8d1","linkExternal","newWindow",false,"Libraries","url","https://libraries.unitybooks.co.nz/",{"_8":38,"_10":11,"_12":39,"_14":39,"_16":-5,"_17":40},"96d6df6d8d70","contact","Contact","announcementBanner",{"_43":33,"_44":-5},"isVisible","text","seo",{"_47":48,"_17":49},"description","PLEASE NOTE ONLY BOOKS LISTED AS 'IN STOCK' WILL BE GUARANTEED TO ARRIVE BEFORE XMAS","Unity Books","footer",{"_52":53,"_44":67},"links",[54,59,63],{"_8":55,"_10":11,"_12":56,"_14":57,"_16":-5,"_17":58},"e627ac9518c4","simplePage","faqs","FAQs",{"_8":60,"_10":11,"_12":56,"_14":61,"_16":-5,"_17":62},"985c42e50f70","privacy-policy","Privacy Policy",{"_8":64,"_10":11,"_12":56,"_14":65,"_16":-5,"_17":66},"775547883565","terms-and-conditions","Terms & Conditions",[68,82,91,100],{"_8":69,"_10":70,"_71":72,"_79":80,"_16":81},"9e13cb51afa4","block","children",[73],{"_8":74,"_10":75,"_76":77,"_44":78},"0e63f51d907e0","span","marks",[],"Unity Books is New Zealand’s leading independent book shop with stores in the heart of Wellington and Auckland.","markDefs",[],"t3",{"_8":83,"_10":70,"_71":84,"_79":89,"_16":90},"a83f1a018f09",[85],{"_8":86,"_10":75,"_76":87,"_44":88},"6fd5ca58001e0",[],"Both shops hold literary events. We specialise in New Zealand and international literature, poetry, history, and nonfiction as well as stocking the best new releases by award winning authors of both fiction and non-fiction in all genres.",[],"h5",{"_8":92,"_10":70,"_71":93,"_79":98,"_16":99},"94042bd8da11",[94],{"_8":95,"_10":75,"_76":96,"_44":97},"e828253cdabb",[]," ",[],"normal",{"_8":101,"_10":70,"_71":102,"_79":108,"_16":99},"0a1b701ffa43",[103],{"_8":104,"_10":75,"_76":105,"_44":107},"34f4531affd6",[106],"c53783d79443","About Unity Books",[109],{"_8":106,"_10":110,"_12":21,"_111":112,"_14":22,"_16":-5,"_17":-5},"annotationLinkInternal","reference",{"_113":114,"_10":111,"_115":116},"_ref","a9e30548-122c-4cd2-bbd8-df22c66de1f8","_weak",true,"locations",[119,357,511],{"_120":121,"_122":123,"_124":125,"_126":127,"_10":133,"_134":135,"_136":137,"_47":140,"_156":157,"_184":185,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_207":208,"_213":214,"_215":216,"_340":341,"_45":342,"_14":348,"_17":347,"_351":352},"_createdAt","2022-10-04T02:32:46Z","_id","18cbd9d5-b81f-4d55-8a26-bca8fdd0f776","_rev","lumvvWzUZD2bPGo2rMF7Zf","_system",{"_128":129},"base",{"_130":123,"_131":132},"id","rev","BRry36AZI9nUfevEVzVSzU","location","_updatedAt","2026-06-22T03:12:13Z","address",[138,139],"19 High Street","Auckland 1010",[141,159,168,176],{"_8":142,"_10":70,"_71":143,"_79":153,"_16":158},"581a9c7d7430",[144,148],{"_8":145,"_10":75,"_76":146,"_44":147},"ce0cd6ca15620",[],"19 High Street\nAuckland 1010\nPh. 09 307 0731\n",{"_8":149,"_10":75,"_76":150,"_44":152},"5cca9d434ac2",[151],"d7cc46773208","shop@unitybooksauckland.co.nz ",[154],{"_8":151,"_10":155,"_156":157},"annotationLinkEmail","email","shop@unitybooksauckland.co.nz","h3",{"_8":160,"_10":70,"_71":161,"_79":166,"_16":167},"efa7c0164e58",[162],{"_8":163,"_10":75,"_76":164,"_44":165},"d64537a784800",[],"\nOpening hours:",[],"h4",{"_8":169,"_10":70,"_71":170,"_79":175,"_16":167},"1123466806c1",[171],{"_8":172,"_10":75,"_76":173,"_44":174},"6a4ef74e2d5d0",[],"Mon-Fri 9am –6pm\nSat 9am – 6pm\nSun 10am – 6pm",[],{"_8":177,"_10":70,"_71":178,"_79":183,"_16":167},"f310b14d8a85",[179],{"_8":180,"_10":75,"_76":181,"_44":182},"66a52ab94ccd0",[],"*Public Holidays may differ – please call",[],"featuredMedia","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952487/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=512a8d4592f9559e1d121cff8a6331ea1877e5028ba35c34d1f9d16e556a3a97","featuredMediaDark","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952453/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=defd7768b2764bac761a8533d3640accf94dbbc5ba0534929687c60786115b28","hours",[190,197,200,203],{"_8":191,"_10":192,"_193":194,"_195":196},"68fb31f228ee","hour","days","Mon - Thurs","time","9am - 6pm",{"_8":198,"_10":192,"_193":199,"_195":196},"57cd2eadfc34","Fri",{"_8":201,"_10":192,"_193":202,"_195":196},"98e2491dbdab","Sat",{"_8":204,"_10":192,"_193":205,"_195":206},"1d513242a768","Sun","10am - 6pm","icon",{"_10":209,"_210":211},"image","asset",{"_113":212,"_10":111},"image-91ff929843d537484c4fb79c56beabd3c85817e5-28x28-svg","mapsLink","https://goo.gl/maps/ZsY6BdzkD4SqYLw8A","modules",[217,235,265,289,305,328],{"_8":218,"_10":219,"_220":221,"_225":226,"_133":234},"ca32b6599858","module.upcomingEvents","config",{"_10":222,"_223":224},"moduleSettings","paddingTop","medium","heading",{"_10":227,"_225":228,"_207":229,"_232":233},"blockHeading","Upcoming Events",{"_10":209,"_210":230},{"_113":231,"_10":111},"image-e91ebbefeff0de3578f848d58452fa20d1a3713f-80x80-svg","subheading","Experience Unity Books by discovering our exciting lineup of events – there's something for everyone!",{"_113":123,"_10":111},{"_8":236,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":240,"_209":245,"_44":248},"0c5d96e1c7a6","module.imageText","alignment","top",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":244,"_223":224},"bgColor","background","layout","left",{"_10":209,"_210":246},{"_113":247,"_10":111},"image-a127bd6657b559a45ffdee0a1edcc641c1381747-1440x1440-jpg",[249,257],{"_8":250,"_10":70,"_71":251,"_79":256,"_16":158},"5a8ed8b10457",[252],{"_8":253,"_10":75,"_76":254,"_44":255},"bbde161607160",[],"Unity’s sister shop could not have found a more perfect location in Auckland. On the 20th of February 1989 it fitted into High Street like a comma in Ulysses. The little street was full of surprising retail options with a pick and mix of shops selling everything in style and fashion to bowl lattēs and local wines. Auckland was lit and Unity offered the best guides to being in the world of books.",[],{"_8":258,"_10":70,"_71":259,"_79":264,"_16":158},"4beb0cc11efe",[260],{"_8":261,"_10":75,"_76":262,"_44":263},"e3ba5edabf350",[],"The shop's co-managers Nigel Cox and Jo McColl,were fresh from Wellington and ready for business. Nigel agitated for change in outdated importing laws and they went about stocking the shelves with the most covetable selection of hardbacks and paperbacks available. For a short time a ‘reading room’ with percolated coffee was created in the Bunker; an underground space below the shop accessed by steep and treacherous stairs. It wasn’t long before the shop established itself as a hub, a place to exchange ideas and debate the merits of different writers. Conversations carried over from the bar across the road, Nigel waved the flag of New Zealand literature and Jo McColl made sure cowboy novels got premium counter space.",[],{"_8":266,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":267,"_209":269,"_44":272},"7d14059cdcf1",{"_10":222,"_243":268,"_223":224},"right",{"_10":209,"_210":270},{"_113":271,"_10":111},"image-a6dc76321f343d8d9c2a7b5202e2f38b3a9b545c-1080x1064-jpg",[273,281],{"_8":274,"_10":70,"_71":275,"_79":280,"_16":158},"3a36c7922e1e",[276],{"_8":277,"_10":75,"_76":278,"_44":279},"e2687ebe79050",[],"When Nigel Cox left the shop in 1993 to pursue a writing career, Carolyn Alexander was hired. If it had been anyone else this story might have ended here. Only Caro had the skills and knowledge to run a bookshop in the pre internet era with the same dedication and passion and drive that her predecessor had.",[],{"_8":282,"_10":70,"_71":283,"_79":288,"_16":158},"2660f8a5108f",[284],{"_8":285,"_10":75,"_76":286,"_44":287},"e50479a5d9a70",[],"For years the minds of Jo and Caro were the harddrive to the shop’s inventory and the staff were trained to know just where a title might be found on its many shelves and tables. Books stacked on the floor waiting to be put away defied disorderliness. In 2018 the shop switched to an electronic method for cataloging stock. The following year the lease in the space next door became available and Unity expanded to create a dedicated children’s bookstore under the management of Children’s Buyer, Ange Travers. In 2020 Unity Books Auckland was crowned “Best Bookstore in the World’ at The London Book Fair, recognising this sanctuary of ideas nestled in the CBD.",[],{"_8":290,"_10":291,"_292":116,"_220":293,"_44":295},"f4df362eadf4","module.singleColText","centerText",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":294,"_223":224},"center",[296],{"_8":297,"_10":70,"_71":298,"_79":303,"_16":304},"2e0b2965bc91",[299],{"_8":300,"_10":75,"_76":301,"_44":302},"e874b89324970",[],"Auckland was lit and Unity offered the best guides to being in the world of books.",[],"f0",{"_8":306,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":307,"_209":308,"_44":311},"69ebc545e15ac6dc3861ccd12e4d185b",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":244,"_223":224},{"_10":209,"_210":309},{"_113":310,"_10":111},"image-8aac296c774a191aaf19d9b0f25b7c839890d7f9-1080x720-jpg",[312,320],{"_8":313,"_10":70,"_71":314,"_79":319,"_16":158},"ee7f30747393",[315],{"_8":316,"_10":75,"_76":317,"_44":318},"d8ad423b7f340",[],"Following Auckland’s snap lockdown in 2021 Unity was only able to partially reopen and books were sold at arm's length. At a time when using a courier meant a delivery delay of weeks, staff used their own means of transport, pedalling books to hotels and driving across the city.",[],{"_8":321,"_10":70,"_71":322,"_79":327,"_16":158},"ca9f0f69fdd9",[323],{"_8":324,"_10":75,"_76":325,"_44":326},"d642e936bbe10",[],"Jo McColl took ownership of the business in 2001. From shop girl to boss girl over the years she has hired dozens and fired none..Unity has overseen romances and lifelong friendships have flourished. In a city of constant change it is still a meeting place, a refuge, an oasis on a busy street where a chance encounter with a page can still change your life.",[],{"_8":329,"_10":330,"_220":331,"_225":334},"fe0ade035d20","module.instagram",{"_10":222,"_332":333,"_223":224},"paddingBottom","small",{"_10":227,"_225":335,"_207":336,"_232":339},"Socials",{"_10":209,"_210":337},{"_113":338,"_10":111},"image-851097f797a994d8fc3888b7c96455b2925bf518-80x80-svg","Stay up-to-date with Unity Books' latest news and happenings by exploring our feed.","phone","09 307 0731",{"_10":343,"_47":344,"_209":345,"_17":347},"seo.page","Unity’s sister shop could not have found a more perfect location in Auckland.",{"_10":209,"_210":346},{"_113":247,"_10":111},"Auckland",{"_10":14,"_349":350},"current","auckland","vaultHeading",{"_10":227,"_225":353,"_207":354,"_232":356},"Auckland Vaults",{"_10":209,"_210":355},{"_113":231,"_10":111},"Explore Unity Bookstores like never before with the Vault - your go-to archive for captivating articles, events, reviews, and more!",{"_120":358,"_122":359,"_124":360,"_126":361,"_10":133,"_134":364,"_136":365,"_47":367,"_156":379,"_184":414,"_186":415,"_188":416,"_207":422,"_213":425,"_215":426,"_340":341,"_45":499,"_14":504,"_17":503,"_351":506},"2022-10-04T02:19:47Z","3539a23a-80d9-4966-9235-63e4db7c6b44","AT5O438QAeI8hCiNKSFXlS",{"_128":362},{"_130":359,"_131":363},"TgLZSHQrRrb1z6e00bCsA2","2025-08-04T01:38:07Z",[366,139],"31 Vulcan Lane",[368,382,390,399,407],{"_8":369,"_10":70,"_71":370,"_79":380,"_16":158},"2b10e7ae78da",[371,375],{"_8":372,"_10":75,"_76":373,"_44":374},"bb009cc3ee2a0",[],"Vulcan Lane, Auckland 1010\nPh. 09 307 0731\n",{"_8":376,"_10":75,"_76":377,"_44":379},"aca1d4afecc5",[378],"d7c7ccfcdbfa","kids@unitybooksauckland.co.nz",[381],{"_8":378,"_10":155,"_156":379},{"_8":383,"_10":70,"_71":384,"_79":389,"_16":99},"2d9c9853bc62",[385],{"_8":386,"_10":75,"_76":387,"_44":388},"5da11141c72f0",[],"",[],{"_8":391,"_10":70,"_71":392,"_79":398,"_16":167},"dc5422b5b6bd",[393],{"_8":394,"_10":75,"_76":395,"_44":397},"a73c5e00dced",[396],"strong","Opening hours:",[],{"_8":400,"_10":70,"_71":401,"_79":406,"_16":167},"99e2ba6c4b4e",[402],{"_8":403,"_10":75,"_76":404,"_44":405},"3c03b110965e",[],"Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm\nSat-Sun 10am – 6pm",[],{"_8":408,"_10":70,"_71":409,"_79":413,"_16":167},"9160e3d47097",[410],{"_8":411,"_10":75,"_76":412,"_44":182},"d76757e385a4",[],[],"https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952417/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=b0d15301367082d985f7902c27c6eb7742855495e0d8dc2379ae40f657044482","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/814115913/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=ee7089c83137b63ae3a16dba0592d6e7c5e3e63882b53aaee975e2bf663e7606",[417,420],{"_8":191,"_10":192,"_193":418,"_195":419},"Mon - Fri","9am - 5pm",{"_8":198,"_10":192,"_193":421,"_195":206},"Sat - Sun",{"_10":209,"_210":423},{"_113":424,"_10":111},"image-a13b03e5496dbdcd04a54c11c1bdb109fce205fc-28x28-svg","https://goo.gl/maps/gPZn7mErH5Mcczkd8",[427,434,466,478,493],{"_8":428,"_10":219,"_220":429,"_225":430,"_133":433},"4145a45317eb",{"_10":222,"_223":224},{"_10":227,"_225":228,"_207":431,"_232":233},{"_10":209,"_210":432},{"_113":231,"_10":111},{"_113":359,"_10":111},{"_8":435,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":436,"_209":437,"_44":440},"7321e169b888",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":244,"_223":224},{"_10":209,"_210":438},{"_113":439,"_10":111},"image-d6f94d1769478a058cba109863963c9eda8b61d0-1520x1129-jpg",[441,450,458],{"_8":442,"_10":70,"_71":443,"_79":448,"_16":449},"17b67edd9c4f",[444],{"_8":445,"_10":75,"_76":446,"_44":447},"5316e6c543d90",[],"A little History of little Unity",[],"t2",{"_8":451,"_10":70,"_71":452,"_79":457,"_16":158},"ab2a5bc3c605",[453],{"_8":454,"_10":75,"_76":455,"_44":456},"7e535295a5ae0",[],"Nestled next door to Unity Books Auckland is the small but perfectly formed little Unity, a curated treasure trove of books for children and young adults (and the child in all adults).",[],{"_8":459,"_10":70,"_71":460,"_79":465,"_16":158},"37efcc45ae8b",[461],{"_8":462,"_10":75,"_76":463,"_44":464},"16667ab6ce030",[],"Born out of a persistent pressure to grow and overflow it’s allotted space in the ‘big shop’, when the lease on the adjacent shop in High St came up, Jo saw the opportunity and not only signed the lease, but in a true show of faith in the growing children’s market, she commissioned 2 young architectural designers to do some magic. Sophie Edwards (a previous part time employee for stock takes and holiday work) and Tom Dobinson were given the task of fitting a world of children's books into a tricky corner site of only 27 sqms, 2 full walls of window, and only one wall for shelving. \n\nWhat they came up with was described perfectly on opening day by a 9 year old customer:",[],{"_8":467,"_10":291,"_292":116,"_220":468,"_44":469},"dfc7987e747d",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":294,"_223":224},[470],{"_8":471,"_10":70,"_71":472,"_79":477,"_16":304},"af7b69691c86",[473],{"_8":474,"_10":75,"_76":475,"_44":476},"b7e61a50b35b0",[],"“ It's like a Tardis! It looks so small from the outside but then you walk in and you’re in another land! ”",[],{"_8":479,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":480,"_209":481,"_44":484},"b4d2db50a62d56abf9ee1df32c2f7c4f",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":268,"_223":224},{"_10":209,"_210":482},{"_113":483,"_10":111},"image-4bdcf44542750a326a44a78937f892a3af1e08de-3469x2083-jpg",[485],{"_8":486,"_10":70,"_71":487,"_79":492,"_16":158},"b451771234f1",[488],{"_8":489,"_10":75,"_76":490,"_44":491},"79079d467dc80",[],"Into the double sided window displays went all the beautiful hardbacks that Children’s Buyer Ange Travers had been hankering after and sourcing from overseas as well as locally but had never had room to do justice. With a guiding mantra of having books that won’t be found everywhere else, and a belief that our customers want to feel the magic of those books, it wasn’t hard to make little Unity the gem that it is now known to be.",[],{"_8":494,"_10":330,"_220":495,"_225":496},"a29c0a9c45d6",{"_10":222,"_332":333,"_223":224},{"_10":227,"_225":335,"_207":497,"_232":339},{"_10":209,"_210":498},{"_113":338,"_10":111},{"_10":343,"_47":500,"_209":501,"_17":503},"Nestled next door to Unity Books Auckland is the small but perfectly formed Little Unity, a curated treasure trove of books for children and young adults.",{"_10":209,"_210":502},{"_113":439,"_10":111},"little Unity",{"_10":14,"_349":505},"little-unity",{"_10":227,"_225":507,"_207":508,"_232":510},"little Unity Vault",{"_10":209,"_210":509},{"_113":231,"_10":111},"....",{"_120":512,"_122":513,"_124":514,"_126":515,"_10":133,"_134":518,"_136":519,"_47":522,"_156":537,"_184":568,"_186":569,"_188":570,"_207":578,"_213":581,"_215":582,"_340":724,"_45":725,"_14":730,"_17":729,"_351":732},"2022-10-04T02:32:42Z","ddef34a8-2e15-4376-9a4b-04fae7ecf90d","e0U66xax9ntwTuYxLzeW9C",{"_128":516},{"_130":513,"_131":517},"K6dceYFuh9ILiKGxL8Usyt","2026-05-18T01:04:30Z",[520,521,388],"57 Willis Street","Wellington 6011",[523,538,545,553,561],{"_8":524,"_10":70,"_71":525,"_79":535,"_16":158},"b1cc1de416ac",[526,530],{"_8":527,"_10":75,"_76":528,"_44":529},"88f2ae0db3800",[],"57 Willis Street\nWellington 6011\nPh. 04 499 4245\n",{"_8":531,"_10":75,"_76":532,"_44":534},"a0e3a89106f5",[533],"edd2d1191773","wellington@unitybooks.co.nz ",[536],{"_8":533,"_10":155,"_156":537},"wellington@unitybooks.co.nz",{"_8":539,"_10":70,"_71":540,"_79":544,"_16":99},"d66128446dd1",[541],{"_8":542,"_10":75,"_76":543,"_44":388},"73bcab7b74790",[],[],{"_8":546,"_10":70,"_71":547,"_79":552,"_16":167},"f6a828b70fef",[548],{"_8":549,"_10":75,"_76":550,"_44":551},"546bc27445e8",[396],"Opening hours",[],{"_8":554,"_10":70,"_71":555,"_79":560,"_16":167},"f1ff1846e68e",[556],{"_8":557,"_10":75,"_76":558,"_44":559},"7dfb1d8f4f0e",[],"Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm\nFri 9am-7pm\nSat 10am-5pm\nSun 10am-5pm",[],{"_8":562,"_10":70,"_71":563,"_79":567,"_16":167},"2ba56086c2f7",[564],{"_8":565,"_10":75,"_76":566,"_44":182},"436fecf81eb0",[],[],"https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952564/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=cbdad0e14f2ff55a3cea358b3176f77892738bf9ca1ebf73dbf53331f8ec8160","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952532/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=a252975b3a130d04a27f243a87f0e5d6d981ee7750257cf5110012210ac874ed",[571,572,575,577],{"_8":191,"_10":192,"_193":194,"_195":196},{"_8":573,"_10":192,"_193":199,"_195":574},"dcc97cb739f8","9am - 7pm",{"_8":198,"_10":192,"_193":202,"_195":576},"10am - 5pm",{"_8":201,"_10":192,"_193":205,"_195":576},{"_10":209,"_210":579},{"_113":580,"_10":111},"image-40d5f99e37451db8cc027847a02dc0251ea9ceac-28x28-svg","https://goo.gl/maps/sQmMnp3uBuCbUHLaA",[583,590,621,644,656,711,717],{"_8":584,"_10":219,"_220":585,"_225":586,"_133":589},"ca960281fc15",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_223":224},{"_10":227,"_225":228,"_207":587,"_232":233},{"_10":209,"_210":588},{"_113":231,"_10":111},{"_113":513,"_10":111},{"_8":591,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":592,"_209":593,"_44":596},"d569448d1e08",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":244,"_223":224},{"_10":209,"_210":594},{"_113":595,"_10":111},"image-f307b534a5eb05d2ff1fd73a03cac5b514d584ed-1080x1080-jpg",[597,605,613],{"_8":598,"_10":70,"_71":599,"_79":604,"_16":158},"89c9a23a7ed4",[600],{"_8":601,"_10":75,"_76":602,"_44":603},"3bb816d17a260",[],"The Unity Books story – the start-up that aged happily – kicked off with book-loving, debate-hunger, and a strong will. Founder Alan Preston was a New Zealand rep sportsman, as well as a Philosophy, History and Accounts student who became the accounts manager at South’s Books.",[],{"_8":606,"_10":70,"_71":607,"_79":612,"_16":158},"247e0c51c789",[608],{"_8":609,"_10":75,"_76":610,"_44":611},"a0ef94cba177",[],"With the support of his father Cyril he decided to open his own shop. He placed a small ad (in keeping with the smallness of the shop within the Oxford Uni Press showrooms) in the Dominion and Evening Post announcing a new bookshop opening on Willis St.\n\nOn 6 September 1967 while giving the books another tutu on the first day, the staff - Alan and his Dad and their friend Bob Dempsey - suddenly realised they were low on classics. Grabbing a trolley, Bob raced across the Wellington CBD to a warehouse supplier and came back laden and triumphant.",[],{"_8":614,"_10":70,"_71":615,"_79":620,"_16":158},"d4c919679d58",[616],{"_8":617,"_10":75,"_76":618,"_44":619},"cc8e1167c70e0",[],"Then Unity Books grew. In the ‘70s, having made enough people happy and having moved enough books (of both the sober and radical persuasion) past the till, Unity Books moved to a bigger site on Willis St, next to Colin Morris Music.\n\nThe vibe was perfect. At the helm was Prue de Villiers, Jo Harris (now McColl) and author Nigel Cox. Alan was an accounts manager again, but with a busier floor to talk on. When that 12 year lease came up, a fatter and more radical Unity moved even further along Willis St to our 3rd site, Perrett’s corner, to the mega-glazed pink banana-shaped shop.",[],{"_8":622,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":623,"_209":624,"_44":627},"8f38b04058d213212c2683dcf2657a02",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":268,"_223":224},{"_10":209,"_210":625},{"_113":626,"_10":111},"image-d2b5f297c0fc571868666f3b9db59f5090c8e449-1080x810-jpg",[628,636],{"_8":629,"_10":70,"_71":630,"_79":635,"_16":158},"897d5c5e505c",[631],{"_8":632,"_10":75,"_76":633,"_44":634},"d04fb6e7c2b80",[],"Meanwhile Jo and Nigel opened Unity Books Auckland. Lead vocals in Wellington were Louise Wrightson (now a poet), Marion Castree (NZ buyer still!) and Tilly Lloyd (a recovering Penguin rep). Backing vocals were (this is incomplete of course) a wide variety of authors, reviewers, academics, postmen and late hippies. There we began regular events with local and international authors and publishers and somehow kept morale during the long years of the long tail of the ’86 NZ stock-market crash.",[],{"_8":637,"_10":70,"_71":638,"_79":643,"_16":158},"701b17df038a",[639],{"_8":640,"_10":75,"_76":641,"_44":642},"f7a941ccae5e0",[],"In 1998, with several Writers and Readers festivals behind us, and notwithstanding that the staff and stock had morphed into even more radicalness, Alan agreed with then buyer Heather McKenzie to get closer to the ‘fire’ of Lambton Quay, so Unity Books moved back down Willis Street to our current site. 500 square metres seemed wildly ambitious but of course Wellington people flocked in and we did daily Olympic Gold in stock buying, reshelving, and the new frantic levels of nearly-always happy dialogue of bookselling.\n\nSo it was and so it is now, regardless of the WFC or the ebook or online imperialism (amazon in lower case please) or the shop flood. The street is withstanding. The city changes and recasts and rumbles the way beautiful cities do. And Unity’s stock and staff and public interface stayed gutsy and pleasing.",[],{"_8":645,"_10":291,"_292":116,"_220":646,"_44":647},"32c0025b06bc",{"_10":222,"_243":294,"_223":224},[648],{"_8":649,"_10":70,"_71":650,"_79":655,"_16":304},"f408e52442c6",[651],{"_8":652,"_10":75,"_76":653,"_44":654},"5c8f1759aad10",[],"\"Warm and knowledgeable bookselling service is the biggest thing; \nlaughter and community are crucial; a welcome atmosphere is everything.\"",[],{"_8":657,"_10":237,"_238":239,"_220":658,"_209":659,"_44":662},"ae9d9cf48345131e43d239cd8d6f65b7",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_243":244,"_223":224},{"_10":209,"_210":660},{"_113":661,"_10":111},"image-05267dbf931a4c5ed003b88b1c81f02bd890dbf4-1080x1080-jpg",[663,671,679,687,695,703],{"_8":664,"_10":70,"_71":665,"_79":670,"_16":158},"9f66bbf5356c",[666],{"_8":667,"_10":75,"_76":668,"_44":669},"3fb2421b7cd60",[],"As all booksellers attest, it’s only the daily traffic of enquiring people (well OK, also some of their dogs) which produces the thrum. The events calendar is running amok, the awards arrived, the flowers are artful, the speeches are short, and the wine from the publishers is plentiful (though rarely gold medal).",[],{"_8":672,"_10":70,"_71":673,"_79":678,"_16":158},"1ff94c0770c5",[674],{"_8":675,"_10":75,"_76":676,"_44":677},"7c0fc4cd07630",[],"And the Unity armchairs are still the only armchairs in the CBD where any person can just sit and think in public without feeling any pressure that they must be industrious or buy a book. Even now with constant streaming and numbers, plenty of others are covering that for them. And deep down we all know that sooner or later the welcome sloucher will feel the call of a (for instance) tempting iwi history or Ottolenghi or Metallica bio.",[],{"_8":680,"_10":70,"_71":681,"_79":686,"_16":158},"f4289e802afb",[682],{"_8":683,"_10":75,"_76":684,"_44":685},"ff32055aa54e0",[],"Alan died in 2004 and Jo and Lawrie McColl and Tilly Lloyd took Unity on, merging Alan’s idiosyncratic mentorship with our own and the staff’s heart and bookaholism, and between us all we’ve kept Alan’s precepts alive and well: responsiveness is the thing; talking about books is a bigger thing; having galvanising stock is even bigger; warm and knowledgeable bookselling service is the biggest thing; laughter and community are crucial; a welcome atmosphere is everything.",[],{"_8":688,"_10":70,"_71":689,"_79":694,"_16":158},"75a5451c12d2",[690],{"_8":691,"_10":75,"_76":692,"_44":693},"538b6b3c14910",[],"Enjoy our space, it’s yours.",[],{"_8":696,"_10":70,"_71":697,"_79":702,"_16":158},"911005d0be43",[698],{"_8":699,"_10":75,"_76":700,"_44":701},"b4507354beb20",[],"All the best as always",[],{"_8":704,"_10":70,"_71":705,"_79":710,"_16":158},"65d3a262586d",[706],{"_8":707,"_10":75,"_76":708,"_44":709},"6c3f9a17cc010",[],"Tilly Lloyd",[],{"_8":712,"_10":330,"_220":713,"_225":714},"cec42dbd4aa2",{"_10":222,"_241":242,"_332":333,"_223":224},{"_10":227,"_225":335,"_207":715,"_232":339},{"_10":209,"_210":716},{"_113":338,"_10":111},{"_8":718,"_10":719,"_225":720,"_133":723},"106520822878","module.vaultMarquee",{"_10":227,"_225":721,"_232":722},"Unity Books Wellington Articles","Uncover a vast collection of articles at Unity Books Wellington, offering a diverse array of topics that unveil fascinating insights and boundless possibilities. Come on in and explore!",{"_113":513,"_10":111},"04 499 4245",{"_10":343,"_47":726,"_209":727,"_17":729},"The Unity Books story – the start-up that aged happily – kicked off with book-loving, debate-hunger, and a strong will.",{"_10":209,"_210":728},{"_113":661,"_10":111},"Wellington",{"_10":14,"_349":731},"wellington",{"_10":227,"_225":733,"_207":734,"_232":356},"Wellington Vault",{"_10":209,"_210":735},{"_113":231,"_10":111},"cartTotalQuantity",0,"routes/products.$handle",{"_740":741,"_901":-5,"_902":903,"_985":986,"_1291":1292,"_1293":884,"_1294":1295},"storefrontProduct",{"_742":743,"_130":744,"_745":746,"_748":749,"_17":755,"_756":49,"_757":388,"_758":759,"_47":759,"_760":761,"_763":764,"_800":801,"_809":810},"handle","first-friend","gid://shopify/Product/9028770529477","tags",[747],"FICTIO","options",[750],{"_751":752,"_753":754},"name","Title","values",[755],"First Friend","vendor","productType","descriptionHtml","A tour de force set in 1938 Stalin Soviet Union, this chilling black comedy it is at once a satire and a thriller, a survivor's tale in which a father has to walk a tightrope every day to save his family from a monster and a monstrous society.","featuredImage",{"_35":762},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-1-76147-043-1.jpg?v=1789517513","variants",{"_765":766},"nodes",[767],{"_768":116,"_769":-5,"_130":770,"_209":771,"_779":780,"_785":786,"_17":755,"_789":790,"_791":792},"availableForSale","compareAtPrice","gid://shopify/ProductVariant/46928263741637",{"_772":773,"_774":775,"_130":776,"_35":762,"_777":778},"altText","The First Friend Cover Image","height",2048,"gid://shopify/ProductImage/44049458593989","width",1339,"price",{"_781":782,"_783":784},"currencyCode","NZD","amount","38.0","selectedOptions",[787],{"_751":752,"_788":755},"value","barcode","9781761470431","storeAvailability",{"_793":794},"edges",[795],{"_796":797},"node",{"_798":116,"_133":799},"available",{"_751":729},"media",{"_765":802},[803],{"_130":804,"_209":805,"_807":808},"gid://shopify/MediaImage/34230926770373",{"_772":773,"_774":775,"_130":806,"_35":762,"_777":778},"gid://shopify/ImageSource/34230926770373","mediaContentType","IMAGE","metafields",[811,815,818,821,-5,824,827,831,-5,833,835,-5,837,840,842,845,-5,848,851,854,-5,-5,857,-5,860,863,-5,865,-5,868,-5,870,873,-5,877,878,-5,880,882,-5,885,887,-5,890,892,-5,894,896,-5,899],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_788":755},"namespace","bookinfo_ebility","key",{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_788":817},"author","KNOX MALCOLM",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_788":820},"binding","TP",{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_788":823},"imprint","ALLEN",{"_812":813,"_814":825,"_788":826},"supplier_wellington","PRH",{"_812":828,"_814":829,"_788":830},"bookinfo_thorpe","supplemented","true",{"_812":828,"_814":17,"_788":832},"The First Friend",{"_812":828,"_814":816,"_788":834},"Malcolm Knox",{"_812":828,"_814":836,"_788":759},"annotation",{"_812":828,"_814":838,"_788":839},"publisher","Allen & Unwin",{"_812":828,"_814":819,"_788":841},"Trade Paper",{"_812":828,"_814":843,"_788":844},"onix_binding","Paperback",{"_812":828,"_814":846,"_788":847},"language","English",{"_812":828,"_814":849,"_788":850},"bic_subject","MODERN & CONTEMPORARY FICTION (POST c 1945); ESPIONAGE & SPY THRILLER; HUMOUR",{"_812":828,"_814":852,"_788":853},"publish_date","2024-09-03",{"_812":828,"_814":855,"_788":856},"page_count","416",{"_812":858,"_814":731,"_788":859},"status","ACT",{"_812":858,"_814":861,"_788":862},"onorder_wellington","false",{"_812":858,"_814":864,"_788":862},"on_preorder",{"_812":858,"_814":866,"_788":867},"last_received_wellington","20/10/2026",{"_812":858,"_814":869,"_788":784},"price_wellington",{"_812":858,"_814":871,"_788":872},"stock_wellington","1",{"_812":874,"_814":875,"_788":876},"categories","merged","Fiction",{"_812":874,"_814":731,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":879,"_788":747},"codes_merged",{"_812":874,"_814":881,"_788":747},"codes_wellington",{"_812":874,"_814":883,"_788":884},"sub_merged","FICTION",{"_812":874,"_814":886,"_788":884},"sub_wellington",{"_812":874,"_814":888,"_788":889},"main_merged","FICTION & POETRY",{"_812":874,"_814":891,"_788":889},"main_wellington",{"_812":874,"_814":893,"_788":889},"web_departments_merged",{"_812":874,"_814":895,"_788":889},"web_departments_wellington",{"_812":874,"_814":897,"_788":898},"departments_merged","FIC",{"_812":874,"_814":900,"_788":898},"department_wellington","staffPick","settings",{"_904":905},"productFaq",[906],{"_8":907,"_10":908,"_909":910,"_920":921},"18de7f0938a4","module.dropdowns","copy",[911],{"_8":912,"_10":70,"_71":913,"_79":918,"_16":919},"34b5b6104e86",[914],{"_8":915,"_10":75,"_76":916,"_44":917},"fbdf4c153ea30",[396],"Conditions of purchase, deliveries & returns",[],"h1","items",[922,943,965],{"_8":923,"_10":924,"_909":925,"_225":942},"e11b9ac0a3c9","headingText",[926,934],{"_8":927,"_10":70,"_71":928,"_79":933,"_16":167},"90175698f930",[929],{"_8":930,"_10":75,"_76":931,"_44":932},"2f02508da8840",[],"If there is a fault with the publishing of the book you purchased then we can replace the book for you at no extra cost. We may need to send away for a replacement copy from the publishers, so there could be a wee wait.",[],{"_8":935,"_10":70,"_71":936,"_79":941,"_16":167},"0e887394e709",[937],{"_8":938,"_10":75,"_76":939,"_44":940},"d3a03d3cd16e0",[],"For any other return question, please email online@unitybooks.co.nz\n",[],"What is your refund policy?",{"_8":944,"_10":924,"_909":945,"_225":964},"cfe391969264",[946],{"_8":947,"_10":70,"_71":948,"_79":962,"_16":167},"203f1575c2b4",[949,953,958],{"_8":950,"_10":75,"_76":951,"_44":952},"2a857a8a1677",[],"Please contact us directly by emailing ",{"_8":954,"_10":75,"_76":955,"_44":957},"f8c6077b8006",[956],"d8624759306b","online@unitybooks.co.nz",{"_8":959,"_10":75,"_76":960,"_44":961},"e982d795c281",[],". Or you can call your closest Unity Books store: \nWellington 04 499 4245\nAuckland 09 307 0731",[963],{"_8":956,"_10":155,"_156":957},"I have faulty products, who should I contact?",{"_8":966,"_10":924,"_909":967,"_225":984},"70ac585fe889",[968,976],{"_8":969,"_10":70,"_71":970,"_79":975,"_16":167},"aee5732c0b84",[971],{"_8":972,"_10":75,"_76":973,"_44":974},"999161abc3530",[],"We offer a range of shipping options covering delivery within New Zealand and internationally. Plus pick-up in store. Shipping is calculated at checkout. \n\nFor estimated delivery times please contact the store. Store details can be found on the contact page.",[],{"_8":977,"_10":70,"_71":978,"_79":983,"_16":167},"9f372851ad8a",[979],{"_8":980,"_10":75,"_76":981,"_44":982},"e6578f2654410",[],"Thanks!",[],"What are my different shipping options?","relatedProducts",[987,1087,1149,1221],{"_130":988,"_17":989,"_742":990,"_760":991,"_809":993,"_763":1067},"gid://shopify/Product/10323950567621","Primeval & Other Times","primeval-other-times-1",{"_35":992},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-1-80427-259-6.jpg?v=1790309422",[994,995,997,999,1001,1004,1005,1006,-5,1008,1010,1012,1015,1017,1018,1019,1020,-5,1023,1025,-5,1027,1028,1029,1031,1032,1033,1036,1038,1041,1042,1044,1046,1047,1048,1049,1050,1052,1053,1054,1056,1057,1058,1060,1061,-5,1062,1063,1064,1066],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_788":989},{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_788":996},"TOKARCZUK OLGA",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_788":998},"PB",{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_788":1000},"FITZCA",{"_812":813,"_814":1002,"_788":1003},"supplier_auckland","GARD",{"_812":813,"_814":825,"_788":1003},{"_812":828,"_814":829,"_788":830},{"_812":828,"_814":17,"_788":1007},"Primeval and Other Times",{"_812":828,"_814":816,"_788":1009},"Olga Tokarczuk; Antonia Lloyd-Jones (Translator)",{"_812":828,"_814":836,"_788":1011},"

For the denizens of mythical Primeval, its fields and forests bounded by two rivers, the world beyond is nothing more than a dream. Yet their stories - or Times - are a microcosm of the tumultuous recent history of the world. The fortunes of the family of Michal the miller, whom conscription carries away in 1914, punctuate nearly a century of war and occupation. The outcast Cornspike raises her daughter among the creatures and spirits of the forest. The squire Popielski loses his faith and becomes obsessed with a game where progress is attained only by dreaming the right kind of dream. Non-human beings - trees and mushrooms and archangels - have their Times too, as do inanimate objects, which may be 'more important for the world than people'. Alongside bloodshed and betrayal, the dramas of Primeval's daily life mark the birth, life and decline of its little world and Time, making us consider afresh the stories that help us comprehend and navigate our own. Rich with the capaciousness and innovation that have brought Olga Tokarczuk to sustained international fame,Primeval and Other Timesis an enduring masterpiece by one of Europe's most inventive novelists.

",{"_812":828,"_814":1013,"_788":1014},"audience","Trade",{"_812":828,"_814":838,"_788":1016},"Fitzcarraldo Editions",{"_812":828,"_814":819,"_788":841},{"_812":828,"_814":843,"_788":844},{"_812":828,"_814":846,"_788":847},{"_812":828,"_814":1021,"_788":1022},"original_language","Polish",{"_812":828,"_814":852,"_788":1024},"2026-09-10",{"_812":828,"_814":855,"_788":1026},"256",{"_812":858,"_814":350,"_788":859},{"_812":858,"_814":731,"_788":859},{"_812":858,"_814":1030,"_788":862},"onorder_auckland",{"_812":858,"_814":861,"_788":830},{"_812":858,"_814":864,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":1034,"_788":1035},"last_received_auckland","25/09/2026",{"_812":858,"_814":866,"_788":1037},"16/10/2026",{"_812":858,"_814":1039,"_788":1040},"price_auckland","50.0",{"_812":858,"_814":869,"_788":1040},{"_812":858,"_814":1043,"_788":872},"stock_auckland",{"_812":858,"_814":871,"_788":1045},"0",{"_812":874,"_814":875,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":350,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":731,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":879,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":1051,"_788":747},"codes_auckland",{"_812":874,"_814":881,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":883,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":1055,"_788":884},"sub_auckland",{"_812":874,"_814":886,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":888,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":1059,"_788":889},"main_auckland",{"_812":874,"_814":891,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":893,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":895,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":897,"_788":898},{"_812":874,"_814":1065,"_788":898},"department_auckland",{"_812":874,"_814":900,"_788":898},{"_765":1068},[1069],{"_768":116,"_769":-5,"_130":1070,"_209":1071,"_779":1075,"_785":1076,"_17":989,"_789":1078,"_791":1079},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/50545213440197",{"_772":1072,"_774":775,"_130":1073,"_35":992,"_777":1074},"Primeval and Other Times Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/44199964049605",1325,{"_781":782,"_783":1040},[1077],{"_751":752,"_788":989},"9781804272596",{"_793":1080},[1081,1084],{"_796":1082},{"_798":116,"_133":1083},{"_751":347},{"_796":1085},{"_798":116,"_133":1086},{"_751":729},{"_130":1088,"_17":1089,"_742":1090,"_760":-5,"_809":1091,"_763":1136},"gid://shopify/Product/10329478103237","Unknown Terrorist","unknown-terrorist",[1092,1093,1095,1096,-5,1098,1099,1100,-5,1102,1104,1106,1107,1109,1111,-5,-5,-5,1112,1114,-5,-5,1116,-5,1117,1118,-5,1119,-5,1121,-5,1123,1124,-5,1125,1126,-5,1127,1128,-5,1129,1130,-5,1131,1132,-5,1133,1134,-5,1135],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_788":1089},{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_788":1094},"FLANAGAN RICHARD",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_788":998},{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_788":1097},"PENGUI",{"_812":813,"_814":825,"_788":826},{"_812":828,"_814":829,"_788":830},{"_812":828,"_814":17,"_788":1101},"The Unknown Terrorist",{"_812":828,"_814":816,"_788":1103},"Richard Flanagan",{"_812":828,"_814":836,"_788":1105},"After spending a night with an attractive stranger, Gina Davies becomes a prime suspect in an attempted terrorist attack. When police find three unexploded bombs at a stadium, Gina goes on the run and witnesses every truth of her life turned into a betrayal.

A devastating picture of a world where the ceaseless drumbeat of terror alerts, news breaks, and fear of the unknown push one woman ever closer to breaking point, The Unknown Terrorist is a novel that with each passing year seems more relevant and more prophetic.",{"_812":828,"_814":1013,"_788":1014},{"_812":828,"_814":838,"_788":1108},"Penguin Canada",{"_812":828,"_814":819,"_788":1110},"UK-B Format Paperback",{"_812":828,"_814":843,"_788":844},{"_812":828,"_814":852,"_788":1113},"2023-05-16",{"_812":828,"_814":855,"_788":1115},"336",{"_812":858,"_814":731,"_788":859},{"_812":858,"_814":861,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":864,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":866,"_788":1120},"27/10/2026",{"_812":858,"_814":869,"_788":1122},"28.0",{"_812":858,"_814":871,"_788":872},{"_812":874,"_814":875,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":731,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":879,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":881,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":883,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":886,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":888,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":891,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":893,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":895,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":897,"_788":898},{"_812":874,"_814":900,"_788":898},{"_765":1137},[1138],{"_768":116,"_769":-5,"_130":1139,"_209":-5,"_779":1140,"_785":1141,"_17":1089,"_789":1143,"_791":1144},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/50571978703045",{"_781":782,"_783":1122},[1142],{"_751":752,"_788":1089},"9781761048173",{"_793":1145},[1146],{"_796":1147},{"_798":116,"_133":1148},{"_751":729},{"_130":1150,"_17":1151,"_742":1152,"_760":1153,"_809":1155,"_763":1204},"gid://shopify/Product/10329920602309","Vanishing Half","vanishing-half",{"_35":1154},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-0-349-70147-9.jpg?v=1790539788",[1156,1157,1159,1160,-5,1162,1164,1165,1167,1170,1172,-5,1174,1176,1177,1178,-5,1179,1181,1183,-5,-5,1185,-5,1186,1187,-5,1188,-5,1190,-5,1191,1192,-5,1193,1194,-5,1195,1196,-5,1197,1198,-5,1199,1200,-5,1201,1202,-5,1203],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_788":1151},{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_788":1158},"BENNETT BRIT",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_788":998},{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_788":1161},"DIALOG",{"_812":813,"_814":825,"_788":1163},"ADS",{"_812":828,"_814":829,"_788":830},{"_812":828,"_814":17,"_788":1166},"The Vanishing Half",{"_812":828,"_814":1168,"_788":1169},"subtitle","Shortlisted for the Women's Prize 2021",{"_812":828,"_814":816,"_788":1171},"Brit Bennett; Priscilla Layne (Translator)",{"_812":828,"_814":836,"_788":1173},"

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP BESTSELLER
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE

'An utterly mesmerising novel..I absolutely loved this book' Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the Booker Prize 2019

'Epic' Kiley Reid, O, The Oprah Magazine

'Favourite book [of the] year' Issa Rae

Perfect for fans of Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston and Nella Larson.

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' story lines intersect?

Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins.

",{"_812":828,"_814":838,"_788":1175},"Dialogue Books",{"_812":828,"_814":819,"_788":1110},{"_812":828,"_814":843,"_788":844},{"_812":828,"_814":846,"_788":847},{"_812":828,"_814":849,"_788":1180},"FICTION & RELATED ITEMS; FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS",{"_812":828,"_814":852,"_788":1182},"2021-04-27",{"_812":828,"_814":855,"_788":1184},"384",{"_812":858,"_814":731,"_788":859},{"_812":858,"_814":861,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":864,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":866,"_788":1189},"01/10/2026",{"_812":858,"_814":869,"_788":1122},{"_812":858,"_814":871,"_788":872},{"_812":874,"_814":875,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":731,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":879,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":881,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":883,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":886,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":888,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":891,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":893,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":895,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":897,"_788":898},{"_812":874,"_814":900,"_788":898},{"_765":1205},[1206],{"_768":116,"_769":-5,"_130":1207,"_209":1208,"_779":1212,"_785":1213,"_17":1151,"_789":1215,"_791":1216},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/50575412560069",{"_772":1209,"_774":775,"_130":1210,"_35":1154,"_777":1211},"The Vanishing Half Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/44250349142213",1302,{"_781":782,"_783":1122},[1214],{"_751":752,"_788":1151},"9780349701479",{"_793":1217},[1218],{"_796":1219},{"_798":116,"_133":1220},{"_751":729},{"_130":1222,"_17":1223,"_742":1224,"_760":1225,"_809":1227,"_763":1274},"gid://shopify/Product/10330160496837","Loved & Missed","loved-missed",{"_35":1226},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-0-349-01503-3.jpg?v=1790565034",[1228,1229,1231,1232,-5,1234,1235,1236,-5,1238,1240,-5,1242,1244,1245,1246,-5,-5,1247,1249,1251,-5,1253,-5,1254,1255,-5,1256,-5,1258,-5,1260,1262,-5,1263,1264,-5,1265,1266,-5,1267,1268,-5,1269,1270,-5,1271,1272,-5,1273],{"_812":813,"_814":17,"_788":1223},{"_812":813,"_814":816,"_788":1230},"BOYT SUSIE",{"_812":813,"_814":819,"_788":998},{"_812":813,"_814":822,"_788":1233},"VIRAGO",{"_812":813,"_814":825,"_788":1003},{"_812":828,"_814":829,"_788":830},{"_812":828,"_814":17,"_788":1237},"Loved and Missed",{"_812":828,"_814":816,"_788":1239},"Susie Boyt",{"_812":828,"_814":836,"_788":1241},"

'I was in the story, feeling everything. I cared about every character . . . She writes beautifully. It was a total pleasure' Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read

Susie Boyt writes with a mordant wit and vivid style which are at their best in Loved and Missed.
When your beloved daughter is lost in the fog of addiction and you make off with her baby in order to save the day, can willpower and a daring creative zeal carry you through ?
Examining the limits, disappointments and excesses of love in all its forms, this marvellously absorbing novel, full of insight and compassion, delights as much as it disturbs.

'She takes the study of love into uncharted territory and every sentence has its depth and pleasure' Linda Grant
'I am so moved: it carries a huge emotional power... I ache for them all. Poignant, witty, lyrical and perceptive' Joan Bakewell

",{"_812":828,"_814":838,"_788":1243},"Little, Brown Book Group Limited",{"_812":828,"_814":819,"_788":1110},{"_812":828,"_814":843,"_788":844},{"_812":828,"_814":846,"_788":847},{"_812":828,"_814":852,"_788":1248},"2022-09-06",{"_812":828,"_814":855,"_788":1250},"208",{"_812":828,"_814":822,"_788":1252},"Virago Press",{"_812":858,"_814":731,"_788":859},{"_812":858,"_814":861,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":864,"_788":862},{"_812":858,"_814":866,"_788":1257},"19/08/2026",{"_812":858,"_814":869,"_788":1259},"40.0",{"_812":858,"_814":871,"_788":1261},"9",{"_812":874,"_814":875,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":731,"_788":876},{"_812":874,"_814":879,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":881,"_788":747},{"_812":874,"_814":883,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":886,"_788":884},{"_812":874,"_814":888,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":891,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":893,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":895,"_788":889},{"_812":874,"_814":897,"_788":898},{"_812":874,"_814":900,"_788":898},{"_765":1275},[1276],{"_768":116,"_769":-5,"_130":1277,"_209":1278,"_779":1282,"_785":1283,"_17":1223,"_789":1285,"_791":1286},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/50577015668933",{"_772":1279,"_774":775,"_130":1280,"_35":1226,"_777":1281},"Loved and Missed Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/44252718235845",1331,{"_781":782,"_783":1259},[1284],{"_751":752,"_788":1223},"9780349015033",{"_793":1287},[1288],{"_796":1289},{"_798":116,"_133":1290},{"_751":729},"relatedProductsCollectionUrl","/collections/shop-all?shopify_products%5BrefinementList%5D%5Bmeta.categories.sub_merged%5D%5B0%5D=FICTION","relatedProductsFirstSubCategory","city","columbus","actionData","errors"]

The First Friend

by Malcolm Knox