Book Giveaway | A Deaf in the Family

A DEAF-IN-THE-FAMILY
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We are very pleased to be giving away two copies of Pete Majendie’s book ‘A Deaf in the Family’, to our GrownUps members.

All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!

A DEAF-IN-THE-FAMILYAbout A Deaf in the Family

A quirky, nostalgic and humorous memoir from a well-known New Zealand artist and comedian depicting deafness, death and 1950s family life, along with the author’s own illustrations.

Growing up in New Zealand in the 1950s and 60s was a special time – heaps of playmates, freedom to run wild, and an opportunity to exercise imagination. Pete Majendie’s stories of his childhood in New Brighton capture those experiences.

At times laugh-out-loud funny, at other times heartbreaking and poignant, the stories range from the adventures and misadventures of free range fun with mates to the effects of hereditary deafness and the death of Pete’s older brother at age eight on family, neighbours and friends.

Pete coped with his brother’s death, his mother’s debilitating grief and his father’s increasing deafness by developing a strong sense of humour, pivotal friendships and a growing interest in and talent for art.

Several themes run through the book – deafness, silence in its many forms, responses to grief, battles with mental and physical health, the importance of inter-generational relationships and friendships, the power of play and imagination, and the joys of reading, poetry and art. And always there is the sense of the absurd and the laughter that sustained a young boy who struggled on occasion to be seen and heard.

Although the stories are grounded in Pete’s experiences, aspects of them sometimes veer into autobiographical fiction, so enhancing the essence of a type and time of childhood that will resonate with all generations.

About the Author

Peter (Pete) Majendie is an installation artist who has exhibited in New Zealand and overseas. His best-known work is his 185 Empty White Chairs installation, which honours the people who died in the Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011.

Pete has also exhibited work in a variety of other media over the years and written and performed one-man comedy shows in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Born and raised in New Brighton, he has lived in Christchurch all his life.

Married to Joyce for fifty years, he enjoys spending time with his three children and six grandchildren and is a member of the International Guild of Tea Liturgists.

Pete has taken broad brush strokes to the stories of his childhood. These stories formed the basis of his stand-up comedy shows, a number of which were performed in New Zealand, Australia and USA at festivals and for deaf audiences, using a deaf sign interpreter. He found a therapeutic value in telling his stories and encouraging others to do the same.

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Terms and conditions

    1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
    2. Competition closes on the 18th December 2024, winners will be notified via email by 19th December 2024.
    3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
    4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
    5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
    6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
    7. One entry per household.
    8. Prize in non transferrable.
    9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
    10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.