Nominated for the 2003 International IMPAC Literary Prize A sparkling novel from an internationally-celebrated New Zealand writer. New Zealand 20 years ago, just before the conformity of the Muldoon years gives way to the eruptions of the 1980s. The Minister of Cultural Links and Trade, an old-school farmer and RSA stalwart called Hamish Carew, sets off on a 'swing around' of some of New Zealand's Asian friends and neighbours. With him are his wife Molly and two young officials, Freddy Manders and Violet Redpath. It should be a routine affair. But Molly doesn't like shopping; and Freddy is consumed by bitterness at the wife who left him and the superiors who have sidelined his career; and Violet finds herself unexpectedly ready for romance...
