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The Year of the Horse Sam Mahon ISBN: 9781877135736 Release: 10-2002 Subject: Autobiography/Biography, Art Format: Paperback RRP: NZ$34.99

The Year of the Horse is written as a letter to a friend; a letter of farewell. It also traces the year Mahon spent making a bronze sculpture. In essence the book is 'a year in an artist's life'. 'But this was not Art, this was a commission. It took me a year to discover the difference.'

Mahon's story fascinates: he's an artist who takes on a commission from a large corporate as a challenge. The challenges inherent are immense – many unforeseen and unrehearsed. The corporate is Speight's and Mahon is to make a life-sized bronze of the Southern Man. The subsequent conflicts are laid bare – compromise, stress, pressure of time and the power of money are echoed throughout as the author battles with his own internal conflicts about artistic integrity.

The sheer physical immensity of the project is overwhelming; we are taken through each stage of development with determination. The reader feels the weight, smells the fumes, coughs the dust. We go from the Mill, to the foundry, to the old railway workshops.

We also become cronies with the few helpers along the way – Sam engenders an easy intimacy and respect from those of whom he seeks help – and manages to convey their irreverence and camaraderie with heartfelt affection. He's keenly observant and takes a certain pleasure in the quirkiness of human nature. His many friends call in, trips to the river and mountains feature, he flies his small plane for pleasure and we soar with the sense of freedom, the exhilaration. The big concerns are discussed and mulled over; Art, philosophy, Art. It's also a story about the joy of discovery and finding a way to live one's life. Mahon is a virtuoso writer – his writing sings with a beautiful sense of rhythm. He creates a rich sense of drama; intent on living every moment. The humour is masterful, quiet, subtle.

It's an outstanding and unique book!

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What the reviewers said about The Year of the Horse:

‘...one book stood out...a fascinating narrative ...set within the daily life of the artist. ... a lyrical paean to creativity and its inseparable relationship with human life.’ From the Judges Report, 2003 Montana NZ Book Awards – winner of the Best First Book Award

‘...the big questions are handled lyrically... This is a year worth reading.’ Jim Wheeler, NZ Herald

‘...he uses language that has the energy of a catherine wheel.’ Robin List, Wairarapa Times

‘...reminiscent of my hero Dylan Thomas - earthy and rhythmical like the lyrics of a song...’ Hawkes Bay Todays

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Awards and Prizes

Montana New Zealand Book Awards – 2003 Winner, Best First Book Award