Frederick's Coat

From the author of the best-selling Once Were Warriors, a powerful story of love between father and son, of contrasting ways of looking at the world and of revenge. When Johno comes out of prison, he resolves never to go back again. But his new life is not easy, especially as he soon finds himself in sole charge of his strange young son, Danny. Danny isn't the kind of son he would have chosen, but, in caring for the boy, Johno finds new meaning and new direction. But what do you do when the world you've so carefully built comes crashing down? Can you ever escape your past? This is a return to the world of criminals and violence that Alan has written about so effectively in the past, but it is also a touching exploration of the relationship between father and son.

About the Author

Alan Duff was born in Rotorua in 1950. He has written novels, including Once Were Warriors, One Night Out Stealing, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, Both Sides of the Moon, Szabad, Jake's Long Shadow, Dreamboat Dad and Who Sings for Lu?, a novella (State Ward), several children's books and a number of non-fiction works. Once Were Warriors won the Pen Best First Book for Fiction Award and, as well as What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, was made into an internationally acclaimed film. Duff was the driving force behind the Books in Homes scheme, which, with commercial sponsorship and government support, aims to break the cycle of illiteracy, poverty, anger and violence among underprivileged children by providing books for them to own. The New Zealand Listener claimed that Duff's debut, Once Were Warriors, 'bursts upon the literary landscape with all the noise and power of a new volcano', while acclaimed writer Witi Ihimaera wrote, 'This is the Haka, the rage of a people who, yes, once were warriors ... A kick to the guts of New Zealand's much-vaunted pride in its Maori/Pakeha race relations. A breathless fearless debut.' The Sydney Morning Herald heralded the sequel, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, as 'a masterpiece': 'powerful, authentic, moving, brilliantly written ... a profound and passionate novel ... a memorable experience'. The Australian praised its 'universal truths to be savoured for their poetic insight', while the Canberra Times called it 'a brilliant work ... poetic and full of hope'. The New Zealand Listener wrote that What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? 'carries the story on with doubled brilliance. The new book is just as dynamic, just as in-your-face as the first one, but less violent, more layered, more fundamentally thoughtful and challenging.'