Wheldon Curzon-Hobson has used his own experiences working with the homeless to inspire a new novel. He spoke to Andrea Jutson
Wheldon Curzon-Hobson believes in the ''magical optimism'' of human beings. His second book, Near a Canal, is a strange tale of a man who witnesses a murder, and gives up
a successful publishing job in London to befriend the homeless, sleeping on a bench beside a canal. In a way, it's the story of Wheldon himself, and the people he has met. The former Macleans College old boy is not what you'd expect from the pampered East. The 37-year-old former curator and actor spent three years working for the Bridge Housing Association in London, a charity for the homeless. While there, he saw tremendous generosity at both ends of the financial scale. ''Their eyes were open a little wider,'' he says of the people he worked with. He remembers a woman who met a down-and-out lady in the street, and set out to fix up her life on a whim. His theory of magical optimism means that people should also open their eyes a bit wider to the ''wonder and possibilities'' of the world around them, rather than always seeking happiness somewhere else. Back in Auckland, he wanted to share the message with others, and Near a Canal was born. ''I enjoy meeting the characters I write about. I write about the people I want to meet,'' he says. Wheldon's now on a tour of North Island libraries, talking about his book and spreading his optimism far and wide. All proceeds from the book will be going to Unicef, to improve schools in the Solomon Islands, giving children school libraries and toilets, and training teachers. A number of libraries are hosting Near a Canal talks. These are Te Atatu Peninsula, Avondale, Pakuranga, Botany, Panmure, Maraetai, Whangaparaoa, Albany Village, Takapuna, Pt Chevalier, Parnell, Remuera, Mangere Bridge, and Mt Albert. For further information on the talks, please contact your library.
