Noel Shepherd and his first book, Mulgan. PHOTO/NATALIE SIXTUS
Noel Shepherd and his first book, Mulgan. PHOTO/NATALIE SIXTUS
The last two years of the life of author John Mulgan has been brought to life in a new book.
Whanganui author Noel Shepherd has recently released Mulgan, a novel about the New Zealand writer, journalist and editor.
Mr Shepherd said Mulgan (1911-45) was an interesting, multi-faceted character - aswell as a writer he was an Oxford graduate, a British Army officer, a left-leaning political commentator - who committed suicide in 1945.
Mulgan is most well-known for his 1939 book, Man Alone, set during the Great Depression and detailing the story of a loner who is determined to live by his own means. It is considered to be a classic of New Zealand literature.
Mr Shepherd said he first read Man Alone as a young man. He said the book appealed to him and sparked a long-lasting interest in Mulgan and his life.
Part of Man Alone is set in the Waimarino where Mr Shepherd spent a lot of time.
"John Mulgan had relatives living near Raetihi and he often used to go and stay with them," Mr Shepherd said.
However, Mr Shepherd's book is set in Egypt and Greece where Mulgan spent the final two years of his life. He was sent to Egypt in 1942 with the Royal Kents Regiment; and in 1943 he coordinated Greek guerrilla action against the Germans, for which he received the Military Cross.
