Emma's Books

"From the hilarious 'True Pregnancy Tales' to the more sobering 'The First Stone', in which the author recounts her small child grappling with the adult concepts of war and revenge, Neale crosses between storytelling and quiet reflection with confidence and charm. Simply a sparkling read."

"an accessible and well-crafted collection whose themes – birth, child-rearing, the pleasures and travails of parenthood – are sure to resonate with mothers, fathers and grandparents."

Siobhan Harvey, The Listener

Steele Roberts 2008

It all starts when Colin finds a distraught woman in his lounge along with a pushchair and a screaming baby. Like it or not he must play the host to these uninvited guests, whose revelations begin to work loose his own tightly guarded secrets.

'a thoughtful, carefully crafted story' Catherina Von Bohemen, Dominion Post

"The magic of Emma Neale's new novel lies in her deep understanding and evocation of the drama of everyday life: the love of a mother for her child, the devastation of infidelity, the need of an adopted person to know where they come from.' Margie Thompson, Next

Vintage 2006

Candy and Jeff are so similar to look at that people take them for identical rather than fraternal twins, despite their difference in gender. Emma Neale's new novel is closely observed and beautifully written. It follows Candy's search for identity and for the right to her own independent creative life through her relationship with her brother and her parents and out into the world beyond the family.

'...unusual readability, thoughtfulness and very fine characterisation.' The Dominion Post

Vintage 2003

From love and loss to arson and whisky, Central Otago, and the heroines of nineteenth century novels, Emma Neale's second collection of poems explores the tricks and turns of life and language.

Godwit 2002

Julie grows up believing she was responsible for her brother's death, an event which has deeply affected everyone in her family. A subtle and insightful examination of the strange psychological forces which underpin ordinary relationships.

Vintage (NZ) 2001

A set of subtle and beautifully crafted poems which explore childhood, family, love and relationships.

Godwit Publishing 1999

An encounter on the London underground forces Marie to come to terms with her teenage years in New Zealand and her relationship with her lost friend, Jenny. Night Swimming is a delicately observed account of teenage relationships and the nature of memory.

Vintage (NZ) 1998, Vintage (Aus) 1999