Recommended - The Denniston rose

The Denniston rose by Jenny Pattrick

Damn Denniston
Damn the track
Damn the way both there and back
Damn the wind and damn the weather
God damn Denniston altogether
from J.T Ward.'Recollections of a Lifetime on the West Coast of the South Island' Westport News 21/9/1884



Set in the bleak coal mining settlement of Denniston in the 1880's this is an atmospheric account of a bleak chapter in New Zealand's history. It is the story of Rose, an indomitable young girl left to fend for herself in a tough and aggressive community and how, under these appalling conditions she manages to remain a survivor.


A wonderfully evocative story, providing romance, tragedy and adventure and an insight into the life style on the early coalfields.