[{"_1":2,"_1358":-5,"_1359":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_731":732},"root",{"_5":6,"_33":34,"_38":39,"_43":44,"_110":111,"_729":730},"menuLinks",[7,19,24,29],{"_8":9,"_10":11,"_12":13,"_14":15,"_16":-5,"_17":18},"_key","07171416491c","_type","linkInternal","documentType","locationPortal","slug","/stores","style","title","Our Stores",{"_8":20,"_10":11,"_12":21,"_14":22,"_16":-5,"_17":23},"6b665663ec71","page","/pages/about","About",{"_8":25,"_10":11,"_12":26,"_14":27,"_16":-5,"_17":28},"c1d4d5559585","newsAndEventsPortal","/news-and-events","News & Events",{"_8":30,"_10":11,"_12":31,"_14":31,"_16":-5,"_17":32},"96d6df6d8d70","contact","Contact","announcementBanner",{"_35":36,"_37":-5},"isVisible",false,"text","seo",{"_40":41,"_17":42},"description","PLEASE NOTE ONLY BOOKS LISTED AS 'IN STOCK' WILL BE GUARANTEED TO ARRIVE BEFORE XMAS","Unity Books","footer",{"_45":46,"_37":60},"links",[47,52,56],{"_8":48,"_10":11,"_12":49,"_14":50,"_16":-5,"_17":51},"e627ac9518c4","simplePage","faqs","FAQs",{"_8":53,"_10":11,"_12":49,"_14":54,"_16":-5,"_17":55},"985c42e50f70","privacy-policy","Privacy Policy",{"_8":57,"_10":11,"_12":49,"_14":58,"_16":-5,"_17":59},"775547883565","terms-and-conditions","Terms & Conditions",[61,75,84,93],{"_8":62,"_10":63,"_64":65,"_72":73,"_16":74},"9e13cb51afa4","block","children",[66],{"_8":67,"_10":68,"_69":70,"_37":71},"0e63f51d907e0","span","marks",[],"Unity Books is New Zealand’s leading independent book shop with stores in the heart of Wellington and Auckland.","markDefs",[],"t3",{"_8":76,"_10":63,"_64":77,"_72":82,"_16":83},"a83f1a018f09",[78],{"_8":79,"_10":68,"_69":80,"_37":81},"6fd5ca58001e0",[],"Both shops hold literary events. We specialise in New Zealand and international literature, poetry, history, and nonfiction as well as stocking the best new releases by award winning authors of both fiction and non-fiction in all genres.",[],"h5",{"_8":85,"_10":63,"_64":86,"_72":91,"_16":92},"94042bd8da11",[87],{"_8":88,"_10":68,"_69":89,"_37":90},"e828253cdabb",[]," ",[],"normal",{"_8":94,"_10":63,"_64":95,"_72":101,"_16":92},"0a1b701ffa43",[96],{"_8":97,"_10":68,"_69":98,"_37":100},"34f4531affd6",[99],"c53783d79443","About Unity Books",[102],{"_8":99,"_10":103,"_12":21,"_104":105,"_14":22,"_16":-5,"_17":-5},"annotationLinkInternal","reference",{"_106":107,"_10":104,"_108":109},"_ref","a9e30548-122c-4cd2-bbd8-df22c66de1f8","_weak",true,"locations",[112,351,505],{"_113":114,"_115":116,"_117":118,"_119":120,"_10":126,"_127":128,"_129":130,"_40":133,"_149":150,"_177":178,"_179":180,"_181":182,"_201":202,"_207":208,"_209":210,"_334":335,"_38":336,"_14":342,"_17":341,"_345":346},"_createdAt","2022-10-04T02:32:46Z","_id","18cbd9d5-b81f-4d55-8a26-bca8fdd0f776","_rev","BRry36AZI9nUfevEVzVSzU","_system",{"_121":122},"base",{"_123":116,"_124":125},"id","rev","iWxwPHILvhOLU6h6p0uF62","location","_updatedAt","2025-12-23T23:01:03Z","address",[131,132],"19 High Street","Auckland 1010",[134,152,161,169],{"_8":135,"_10":63,"_64":136,"_72":146,"_16":151},"581a9c7d7430",[137,141],{"_8":138,"_10":68,"_69":139,"_37":140},"ce0cd6ca15620",[],"19 High Street\nAuckland 1010\nPh. 09 307 0731\n",{"_8":142,"_10":68,"_69":143,"_37":145},"5cca9d434ac2",[144],"d7cc46773208","shop@unitybooksauckland.co.nz ",[147],{"_8":144,"_10":148,"_149":150},"annotationLinkEmail","email","shop@unitybooksauckland.co.nz","h3",{"_8":153,"_10":63,"_64":154,"_72":159,"_16":160},"efa7c0164e58",[155],{"_8":156,"_10":68,"_69":157,"_37":158},"d64537a784800",[],"\nOpening hours:",[],"h4",{"_8":162,"_10":63,"_64":163,"_72":168,"_16":160},"1123466806c1",[164],{"_8":165,"_10":68,"_69":166,"_37":167},"6a4ef74e2d5d0",[],"Mon-Fri 9am –6pm\nSat 9am – 6pm\nSun 10am – 6pm",[],{"_8":170,"_10":63,"_64":171,"_72":176,"_16":160},"f310b14d8a85",[172],{"_8":173,"_10":68,"_69":174,"_37":175},"66a52ab94ccd0",[],"*Public Holidays may differ – please call",[],"featuredMedia","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952487/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=512a8d4592f9559e1d121cff8a6331ea1877e5028ba35c34d1f9d16e556a3a97","featuredMediaDark","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952453/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=defd7768b2764bac761a8533d3640accf94dbbc5ba0534929687c60786115b28","hours",[183,190,194,197],{"_8":184,"_10":185,"_186":187,"_188":189},"68fb31f228ee","hour","days","Mon - Thurs","time","9am - 6pm",{"_8":191,"_10":185,"_186":192,"_188":193},"57cd2eadfc34","Fri","9am - 7pm",{"_8":195,"_10":185,"_186":196,"_188":189},"98e2491dbdab","Sat",{"_8":198,"_10":185,"_186":199,"_188":200},"1d513242a768","Sun","10am - 6pm","icon",{"_10":203,"_204":205},"image","asset",{"_106":206,"_10":104},"image-91ff929843d537484c4fb79c56beabd3c85817e5-28x28-svg","mapsLink","https://goo.gl/maps/ZsY6BdzkD4SqYLw8A","modules",[211,229,259,283,299,322],{"_8":212,"_10":213,"_214":215,"_219":220,"_126":228},"ca32b6599858","module.upcomingEvents","config",{"_10":216,"_217":218},"moduleSettings","paddingTop","medium","heading",{"_10":221,"_219":222,"_201":223,"_226":227},"blockHeading","Upcoming Events",{"_10":203,"_204":224},{"_106":225,"_10":104},"image-e91ebbefeff0de3578f848d58452fa20d1a3713f-80x80-svg","subheading","Experience Unity Books by discovering our exciting lineup of events – there's something for everyone!",{"_106":116,"_10":104},{"_8":230,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":234,"_203":239,"_37":242},"0c5d96e1c7a6","module.imageText","alignment","top",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":238,"_217":218},"bgColor","background","layout","left",{"_10":203,"_204":240},{"_106":241,"_10":104},"image-a127bd6657b559a45ffdee0a1edcc641c1381747-1440x1440-jpg",[243,251],{"_8":244,"_10":63,"_64":245,"_72":250,"_16":151},"5a8ed8b10457",[246],{"_8":247,"_10":68,"_69":248,"_37":249},"bbde161607160",[],"Unity’s sister shop could not have found a more perfect location in Auckland. On the 20th of February 1989 it fitted into High Street like a comma in Ulysses. The little street was full of surprising retail options with a pick and mix of shops selling everything in style and fashion to bowl lattēs and local wines. Auckland was lit and Unity offered the best guides to being in the world of books.",[],{"_8":252,"_10":63,"_64":253,"_72":258,"_16":151},"4beb0cc11efe",[254],{"_8":255,"_10":68,"_69":256,"_37":257},"e3ba5edabf350",[],"The shop's co-managers Nigel Cox and Jo McColl,were fresh from Wellington and ready for business. Nigel agitated for change in outdated importing laws and they went about stocking the shelves with the most covetable selection of hardbacks and paperbacks available. For a short time a ‘reading room’ with percolated coffee was created in the Bunker; an underground space below the shop accessed by steep and treacherous stairs. It wasn’t long before the shop established itself as a hub, a place to exchange ideas and debate the merits of different writers. Conversations carried over from the bar across the road, Nigel waved the flag of New Zealand literature and Jo McColl made sure cowboy novels got premium counter space.",[],{"_8":260,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":261,"_203":263,"_37":266},"7d14059cdcf1",{"_10":216,"_237":262,"_217":218},"right",{"_10":203,"_204":264},{"_106":265,"_10":104},"image-a6dc76321f343d8d9c2a7b5202e2f38b3a9b545c-1080x1064-jpg",[267,275],{"_8":268,"_10":63,"_64":269,"_72":274,"_16":151},"3a36c7922e1e",[270],{"_8":271,"_10":68,"_69":272,"_37":273},"e2687ebe79050",[],"When Nigel Cox left the shop in 1993 to pursue a writing career, Carolyn Alexander was hired. If it had been anyone else this story might have ended here. Only Caro had the skills and knowledge to run a bookshop in the pre internet era with the same dedication and passion and drive that her predecessor had.",[],{"_8":276,"_10":63,"_64":277,"_72":282,"_16":151},"2660f8a5108f",[278],{"_8":279,"_10":68,"_69":280,"_37":281},"e50479a5d9a70",[],"For years the minds of Jo and Caro were the harddrive to the shop’s inventory and the staff were trained to know just where a title might be found on its many shelves and tables. Books stacked on the floor waiting to be put away defied disorderliness. In 2018 the shop switched to an electronic method for cataloging stock. The following year the lease in the space next door became available and Unity expanded to create a dedicated children’s bookstore under the management of Children’s Buyer, Ange Travers. In 2020 Unity Books Auckland was crowned “Best Bookstore in the World’ at The London Book Fair, recognising this sanctuary of ideas nestled in the CBD.",[],{"_8":284,"_10":285,"_286":109,"_214":287,"_37":289},"f4df362eadf4","module.singleColText","centerText",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":288,"_217":218},"center",[290],{"_8":291,"_10":63,"_64":292,"_72":297,"_16":298},"2e0b2965bc91",[293],{"_8":294,"_10":68,"_69":295,"_37":296},"e874b89324970",[],"Auckland was lit and Unity offered the best guides to being in the world of books.",[],"f0",{"_8":300,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":301,"_203":302,"_37":305},"69ebc545e15ac6dc3861ccd12e4d185b",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":238,"_217":218},{"_10":203,"_204":303},{"_106":304,"_10":104},"image-8aac296c774a191aaf19d9b0f25b7c839890d7f9-1080x720-jpg",[306,314],{"_8":307,"_10":63,"_64":308,"_72":313,"_16":151},"ee7f30747393",[309],{"_8":310,"_10":68,"_69":311,"_37":312},"d8ad423b7f340",[],"Following Auckland’s snap lockdown in 2021 Unity was only able to partially reopen and books were sold at arm's length. At a time when using a courier meant a delivery delay of weeks, staff used their own means of transport, pedalling books to hotels and driving across the city.",[],{"_8":315,"_10":63,"_64":316,"_72":321,"_16":151},"ca9f0f69fdd9",[317],{"_8":318,"_10":68,"_69":319,"_37":320},"d642e936bbe10",[],"Jo McColl took ownership of the business in 2001. From shop girl to boss girl over the years she has hired dozens and fired none..Unity has overseen romances and lifelong friendships have flourished. In a city of constant change it is still a meeting place, a refuge, an oasis on a busy street where a chance encounter with a page can still change your life.",[],{"_8":323,"_10":324,"_214":325,"_219":328},"fe0ade035d20","module.instagram",{"_10":216,"_326":327,"_217":218},"paddingBottom","small",{"_10":221,"_219":329,"_201":330,"_226":333},"Socials",{"_10":203,"_204":331},{"_106":332,"_10":104},"image-851097f797a994d8fc3888b7c96455b2925bf518-80x80-svg","Stay up-to-date with Unity Books' latest news and happenings by exploring our feed.","phone","09 307 0731",{"_10":337,"_40":338,"_203":339,"_17":341},"seo.page","Unity’s sister shop could not have found a more perfect location in Auckland.",{"_10":203,"_204":340},{"_106":241,"_10":104},"Auckland",{"_10":14,"_343":344},"current","auckland","vaultHeading",{"_10":221,"_219":347,"_201":348,"_226":350},"Auckland Vaults",{"_10":203,"_204":349},{"_106":225,"_10":104},"Explore Unity Bookstores like never before with the Vault - your go-to archive for captivating articles, events, reviews, and more!",{"_113":352,"_115":353,"_117":354,"_119":355,"_10":126,"_127":358,"_129":359,"_40":361,"_149":373,"_177":408,"_179":409,"_181":410,"_201":416,"_207":419,"_209":420,"_334":335,"_38":493,"_14":498,"_17":497,"_345":500},"2022-10-04T02:19:47Z","3539a23a-80d9-4966-9235-63e4db7c6b44","AT5O438QAeI8hCiNKSFXlS",{"_121":356},{"_123":353,"_124":357},"TgLZSHQrRrb1z6e00bCsA2","2025-08-04T01:38:07Z",[360,132],"31 Vulcan Lane",[362,376,384,393,401],{"_8":363,"_10":63,"_64":364,"_72":374,"_16":151},"2b10e7ae78da",[365,369],{"_8":366,"_10":68,"_69":367,"_37":368},"bb009cc3ee2a0",[],"Vulcan Lane, Auckland 1010\nPh. 09 307 0731\n",{"_8":370,"_10":68,"_69":371,"_37":373},"aca1d4afecc5",[372],"d7c7ccfcdbfa","kids@unitybooksauckland.co.nz",[375],{"_8":372,"_10":148,"_149":373},{"_8":377,"_10":63,"_64":378,"_72":383,"_16":92},"2d9c9853bc62",[379],{"_8":380,"_10":68,"_69":381,"_37":382},"5da11141c72f0",[],"",[],{"_8":385,"_10":63,"_64":386,"_72":392,"_16":160},"dc5422b5b6bd",[387],{"_8":388,"_10":68,"_69":389,"_37":391},"a73c5e00dced",[390],"strong","Opening hours:",[],{"_8":394,"_10":63,"_64":395,"_72":400,"_16":160},"99e2ba6c4b4e",[396],{"_8":397,"_10":68,"_69":398,"_37":399},"3c03b110965e",[],"Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm\nSat-Sun 10am – 6pm",[],{"_8":402,"_10":63,"_64":403,"_72":407,"_16":160},"9160e3d47097",[404],{"_8":405,"_10":68,"_69":406,"_37":175},"d76757e385a4",[],[],"https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952417/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=b0d15301367082d985f7902c27c6eb7742855495e0d8dc2379ae40f657044482","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/814115913/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=ee7089c83137b63ae3a16dba0592d6e7c5e3e63882b53aaee975e2bf663e7606",[411,414],{"_8":184,"_10":185,"_186":412,"_188":413},"Mon - Fri","9am - 5pm",{"_8":191,"_10":185,"_186":415,"_188":200},"Sat - Sun",{"_10":203,"_204":417},{"_106":418,"_10":104},"image-a13b03e5496dbdcd04a54c11c1bdb109fce205fc-28x28-svg","https://goo.gl/maps/gPZn7mErH5Mcczkd8",[421,428,460,472,487],{"_8":422,"_10":213,"_214":423,"_219":424,"_126":427},"4145a45317eb",{"_10":216,"_217":218},{"_10":221,"_219":222,"_201":425,"_226":227},{"_10":203,"_204":426},{"_106":225,"_10":104},{"_106":353,"_10":104},{"_8":429,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":430,"_203":431,"_37":434},"7321e169b888",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":238,"_217":218},{"_10":203,"_204":432},{"_106":433,"_10":104},"image-d6f94d1769478a058cba109863963c9eda8b61d0-1520x1129-jpg",[435,444,452],{"_8":436,"_10":63,"_64":437,"_72":442,"_16":443},"17b67edd9c4f",[438],{"_8":439,"_10":68,"_69":440,"_37":441},"5316e6c543d90",[],"A little History of little Unity",[],"t2",{"_8":445,"_10":63,"_64":446,"_72":451,"_16":151},"ab2a5bc3c605",[447],{"_8":448,"_10":68,"_69":449,"_37":450},"7e535295a5ae0",[],"Nestled next door to Unity Books Auckland is the small but perfectly formed little Unity, a curated treasure trove of books for children and young adults (and the child in all adults).",[],{"_8":453,"_10":63,"_64":454,"_72":459,"_16":151},"37efcc45ae8b",[455],{"_8":456,"_10":68,"_69":457,"_37":458},"16667ab6ce030",[],"Born out of a persistent pressure to grow and overflow it’s allotted space in the ‘big shop’, when the lease on the adjacent shop in High St came up, Jo saw the opportunity and not only signed the lease, but in a true show of faith in the growing children’s market, she commissioned 2 young architectural designers to do some magic. Sophie Edwards (a previous part time employee for stock takes and holiday work) and Tom Dobinson were given the task of fitting a world of children's books into a tricky corner site of only 27 sqms, 2 full walls of window, and only one wall for shelving. \n\nWhat they came up with was described perfectly on opening day by a 9 year old customer:",[],{"_8":461,"_10":285,"_286":109,"_214":462,"_37":463},"dfc7987e747d",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":288,"_217":218},[464],{"_8":465,"_10":63,"_64":466,"_72":471,"_16":298},"af7b69691c86",[467],{"_8":468,"_10":68,"_69":469,"_37":470},"b7e61a50b35b0",[],"“ It's like a Tardis! It looks so small from the outside but then you walk in and you’re in another land! ”",[],{"_8":473,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":474,"_203":475,"_37":478},"b4d2db50a62d56abf9ee1df32c2f7c4f",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":262,"_217":218},{"_10":203,"_204":476},{"_106":477,"_10":104},"image-4bdcf44542750a326a44a78937f892a3af1e08de-3469x2083-jpg",[479],{"_8":480,"_10":63,"_64":481,"_72":486,"_16":151},"b451771234f1",[482],{"_8":483,"_10":68,"_69":484,"_37":485},"79079d467dc80",[],"Into the double sided window displays went all the beautiful hardbacks that Children’s Buyer Ange Travers had been hankering after and sourcing from overseas as well as locally but had never had room to do justice. With a guiding mantra of having books that won’t be found everywhere else, and a belief that our customers want to feel the magic of those books, it wasn’t hard to make little Unity the gem that it is now known to be.",[],{"_8":488,"_10":324,"_214":489,"_219":490},"a29c0a9c45d6",{"_10":216,"_326":327,"_217":218},{"_10":221,"_219":329,"_201":491,"_226":333},{"_10":203,"_204":492},{"_106":332,"_10":104},{"_10":337,"_40":494,"_203":495,"_17":497},"Nestled next door to Unity Books Auckland is the small but perfectly formed Little Unity, a curated treasure trove of books for children and young adults.",{"_10":203,"_204":496},{"_106":433,"_10":104},"little Unity",{"_10":14,"_343":499},"little-unity",{"_10":221,"_219":501,"_201":502,"_226":504},"little Unity Vault",{"_10":203,"_204":503},{"_106":225,"_10":104},"....",{"_113":506,"_115":507,"_117":508,"_119":509,"_10":126,"_127":512,"_129":513,"_40":516,"_149":531,"_177":562,"_179":563,"_181":564,"_201":571,"_207":574,"_209":575,"_334":717,"_38":718,"_14":723,"_17":722,"_345":725},"2022-10-04T02:32:42Z","ddef34a8-2e15-4376-9a4b-04fae7ecf90d","8IdNb8jhS5j0w05Nl9xb7s",{"_121":510},{"_123":507,"_124":511},"V5dtyI87NMtAISfO5CElwU","2026-01-26T04:30:49Z",[514,515,382],"57 Willis Street","Wellington 6011",[517,532,539,547,555],{"_8":518,"_10":63,"_64":519,"_72":529,"_16":151},"b1cc1de416ac",[520,524],{"_8":521,"_10":68,"_69":522,"_37":523},"88f2ae0db3800",[],"57 Willis Street\nWellington 6011\nPh. 04 499 4245\n",{"_8":525,"_10":68,"_69":526,"_37":528},"a0e3a89106f5",[527],"edd2d1191773","wellington@unitybooks.co.nz ",[530],{"_8":527,"_10":148,"_149":531},"wellington@unitybooks.co.nz",{"_8":533,"_10":63,"_64":534,"_72":538,"_16":92},"d66128446dd1",[535],{"_8":536,"_10":68,"_69":537,"_37":382},"73bcab7b74790",[],[],{"_8":540,"_10":63,"_64":541,"_72":546,"_16":160},"f6a828b70fef",[542],{"_8":543,"_10":68,"_69":544,"_37":545},"546bc27445e8",[390],"Opening hours",[],{"_8":548,"_10":63,"_64":549,"_72":554,"_16":160},"f1ff1846e68e",[550],{"_8":551,"_10":68,"_69":552,"_37":553},"7dfb1d8f4f0e",[],"Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm\nFri 9am-7pm\nSat 10am-6pm\nSun 10am-5pm",[],{"_8":556,"_10":63,"_64":557,"_72":561,"_16":160},"2ba56086c2f7",[558],{"_8":559,"_10":68,"_69":560,"_37":175},"436fecf81eb0",[],[],"https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952564/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=cbdad0e14f2ff55a3cea358b3176f77892738bf9ca1ebf73dbf53331f8ec8160","https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/775952532/rendition/360p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=a252975b3a130d04a27f243a87f0e5d6d981ee7750257cf5110012210ac874ed",[565,566,568,569],{"_8":184,"_10":185,"_186":187,"_188":189},{"_8":567,"_10":185,"_186":192,"_188":193},"dcc97cb739f8",{"_8":191,"_10":185,"_186":196,"_188":200},{"_8":195,"_10":185,"_186":199,"_188":570},"10am - 5pm",{"_10":203,"_204":572},{"_106":573,"_10":104},"image-40d5f99e37451db8cc027847a02dc0251ea9ceac-28x28-svg","https://goo.gl/maps/sQmMnp3uBuCbUHLaA",[576,583,614,637,649,704,710],{"_8":577,"_10":213,"_214":578,"_219":579,"_126":582},"ca960281fc15",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_217":218},{"_10":221,"_219":222,"_201":580,"_226":227},{"_10":203,"_204":581},{"_106":225,"_10":104},{"_106":507,"_10":104},{"_8":584,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":585,"_203":586,"_37":589},"d569448d1e08",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":238,"_217":218},{"_10":203,"_204":587},{"_106":588,"_10":104},"image-f307b534a5eb05d2ff1fd73a03cac5b514d584ed-1080x1080-jpg",[590,598,606],{"_8":591,"_10":63,"_64":592,"_72":597,"_16":151},"89c9a23a7ed4",[593],{"_8":594,"_10":68,"_69":595,"_37":596},"3bb816d17a260",[],"The Unity Books story – the start-up that aged happily – kicked off with book-loving, debate-hunger, and a strong will. Founder Alan Preston was a New Zealand rep sportsman, as well as a Philosophy, History and Accounts student who became the accounts manager at South’s Books.",[],{"_8":599,"_10":63,"_64":600,"_72":605,"_16":151},"247e0c51c789",[601],{"_8":602,"_10":68,"_69":603,"_37":604},"a0ef94cba177",[],"With the support of his father Cyril he decided to open his own shop. He placed a small ad (in keeping with the smallness of the shop within the Oxford Uni Press showrooms) in the Dominion and Evening Post announcing a new bookshop opening on Willis St.\n\nOn 6 September 1967 while giving the books another tutu on the first day, the staff - Alan and his Dad and their friend Bob Dempsey - suddenly realised they were low on classics. Grabbing a trolley, Bob raced across the Wellington CBD to a warehouse supplier and came back laden and triumphant.",[],{"_8":607,"_10":63,"_64":608,"_72":613,"_16":151},"d4c919679d58",[609],{"_8":610,"_10":68,"_69":611,"_37":612},"cc8e1167c70e0",[],"Then Unity Books grew. In the ‘70s, having made enough people happy and having moved enough books (of both the sober and radical persuasion) past the till, Unity Books moved to a bigger site on Willis St, next to Colin Morris Music.\n\nThe vibe was perfect. At the helm was Prue de Villiers, Jo Harris (now McColl) and author Nigel Cox. Alan was an accounts manager again, but with a busier floor to talk on. When that 12 year lease came up, a fatter and more radical Unity moved even further along Willis St to our 3rd site, Perrett’s corner, to the mega-glazed pink banana-shaped shop.",[],{"_8":615,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":616,"_203":617,"_37":620},"8f38b04058d213212c2683dcf2657a02",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":262,"_217":218},{"_10":203,"_204":618},{"_106":619,"_10":104},"image-d2b5f297c0fc571868666f3b9db59f5090c8e449-1080x810-jpg",[621,629],{"_8":622,"_10":63,"_64":623,"_72":628,"_16":151},"897d5c5e505c",[624],{"_8":625,"_10":68,"_69":626,"_37":627},"d04fb6e7c2b80",[],"Meanwhile Jo and Nigel opened Unity Books Auckland. Lead vocals in Wellington were Louise Wrightson (now a poet), Marion Castree (NZ buyer still!) and Tilly Lloyd (a recovering Penguin rep). Backing vocals were (this is incomplete of course) a wide variety of authors, reviewers, academics, postmen and late hippies. There we began regular events with local and international authors and publishers and somehow kept morale during the long years of the long tail of the ’86 NZ stock-market crash.",[],{"_8":630,"_10":63,"_64":631,"_72":636,"_16":151},"701b17df038a",[632],{"_8":633,"_10":68,"_69":634,"_37":635},"f7a941ccae5e0",[],"In 1998, with several Writers and Readers festivals behind us, and notwithstanding that the staff and stock had morphed into even more radicalness, Alan agreed with then buyer Heather McKenzie to get closer to the ‘fire’ of Lambton Quay, so Unity Books moved back down Willis Street to our current site. 500 square metres seemed wildly ambitious but of course Wellington people flocked in and we did daily Olympic Gold in stock buying, reshelving, and the new frantic levels of nearly-always happy dialogue of bookselling.\n\nSo it was and so it is now, regardless of the WFC or the ebook or online imperialism (amazon in lower case please) or the shop flood. The street is withstanding. The city changes and recasts and rumbles the way beautiful cities do. And Unity’s stock and staff and public interface stayed gutsy and pleasing.",[],{"_8":638,"_10":285,"_286":109,"_214":639,"_37":640},"32c0025b06bc",{"_10":216,"_237":288,"_217":218},[641],{"_8":642,"_10":63,"_64":643,"_72":648,"_16":298},"f408e52442c6",[644],{"_8":645,"_10":68,"_69":646,"_37":647},"5c8f1759aad10",[],"\"Warm and knowledgeable bookselling service is the biggest thing; \nlaughter and community are crucial; a welcome atmosphere is everything.\"",[],{"_8":650,"_10":231,"_232":233,"_214":651,"_203":652,"_37":655},"ae9d9cf48345131e43d239cd8d6f65b7",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_237":238,"_217":218},{"_10":203,"_204":653},{"_106":654,"_10":104},"image-05267dbf931a4c5ed003b88b1c81f02bd890dbf4-1080x1080-jpg",[656,664,672,680,688,696],{"_8":657,"_10":63,"_64":658,"_72":663,"_16":151},"9f66bbf5356c",[659],{"_8":660,"_10":68,"_69":661,"_37":662},"3fb2421b7cd60",[],"As all booksellers attest, it’s only the daily traffic of enquiring people (well OK, also some of their dogs) which produces the thrum. The events calendar is running amok, the awards arrived, the flowers are artful, the speeches are short, and the wine from the publishers is plentiful (though rarely gold medal).",[],{"_8":665,"_10":63,"_64":666,"_72":671,"_16":151},"1ff94c0770c5",[667],{"_8":668,"_10":68,"_69":669,"_37":670},"7c0fc4cd07630",[],"And the Unity armchairs are still the only armchairs in the CBD where any person can just sit and think in public without feeling any pressure that they must be industrious or buy a book. Even now with constant streaming and numbers, plenty of others are covering that for them. And deep down we all know that sooner or later the welcome sloucher will feel the call of a (for instance) tempting iwi history or Ottolenghi or Metallica bio.",[],{"_8":673,"_10":63,"_64":674,"_72":679,"_16":151},"f4289e802afb",[675],{"_8":676,"_10":68,"_69":677,"_37":678},"ff32055aa54e0",[],"Alan died in 2004 and Jo and Lawrie McColl and Tilly Lloyd took Unity on, merging Alan’s idiosyncratic mentorship with our own and the staff’s heart and bookaholism, and between us all we’ve kept Alan’s precepts alive and well: responsiveness is the thing; talking about books is a bigger thing; having galvanising stock is even bigger; warm and knowledgeable bookselling service is the biggest thing; laughter and community are crucial; a welcome atmosphere is everything.",[],{"_8":681,"_10":63,"_64":682,"_72":687,"_16":151},"75a5451c12d2",[683],{"_8":684,"_10":68,"_69":685,"_37":686},"538b6b3c14910",[],"Enjoy our space, it’s yours.",[],{"_8":689,"_10":63,"_64":690,"_72":695,"_16":151},"911005d0be43",[691],{"_8":692,"_10":68,"_69":693,"_37":694},"b4507354beb20",[],"All the best as always",[],{"_8":697,"_10":63,"_64":698,"_72":703,"_16":151},"65d3a262586d",[699],{"_8":700,"_10":68,"_69":701,"_37":702},"6c3f9a17cc010",[],"Tilly Lloyd",[],{"_8":705,"_10":324,"_214":706,"_219":707},"cec42dbd4aa2",{"_10":216,"_235":236,"_326":327,"_217":218},{"_10":221,"_219":329,"_201":708,"_226":333},{"_10":203,"_204":709},{"_106":332,"_10":104},{"_8":711,"_10":712,"_219":713,"_126":716},"106520822878","module.vaultMarquee",{"_10":221,"_219":714,"_226":715},"Unity Books Wellington Articles","Uncover a vast collection of articles at Unity Books Wellington, offering a diverse array of topics that unveil fascinating insights and boundless possibilities. Come on in and explore!",{"_106":507,"_10":104},"04 499 4245",{"_10":337,"_40":719,"_203":720,"_17":722},"The Unity Books story – the start-up that aged happily – kicked off with book-loving, debate-hunger, and a strong will.",{"_10":203,"_204":721},{"_106":654,"_10":104},"Wellington",{"_10":14,"_343":724},"wellington",{"_10":221,"_219":726,"_201":727,"_226":350},"Wellington Vault",{"_10":203,"_204":728},{"_106":225,"_10":104},"cartTotalQuantity",0,"routes/products.$handle",{"_733":734,"_931":932,"_958":959,"_1041":1042,"_1353":1354,"_1355":906,"_1356":1357},"storefrontProduct",{"_735":736,"_123":737,"_738":739,"_748":749,"_17":756,"_757":42,"_758":382,"_759":760,"_40":761,"_762":763,"_766":767,"_806":807,"_815":816},"handle","when-we-cease-to-understand-the-world","gid://shopify/Product/7918339915973","tags",[341,740,741,742,743,744,745,746,747,722],"Description Missing","FICTIO","Fiction","Fiction;Science Fiction","Image Missing","Missing Description","Science Fiction","SCIFIC","options",[750],{"_751":752,"_753":754},"name","Title","values",[755],"Default Title","When We Cease to Understand the World","vendor","productType","descriptionHtml","A Guardian and New Statesman book of the year, now in paperback - the fast-paced,mind-expanding literary work about scientific discovery and the unsettled distinctionbetween genius and madness. Shortlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize.","A Guardian and New Statesman book of the year, now in paperback - the fast-paced,mind-expanding literary work about scientific discovery and the unsettled distinctionbetween genius and madness. Shortlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize.","featuredImage",{"_764":765},"url","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/When_20We_20Cease_20to_20Understand_20the_20World.jpg?v=1716682609","variants",{"_768":769},"nodes",[770],{"_771":109,"_772":-5,"_123":773,"_203":774,"_782":783,"_788":789,"_17":755,"_792":793,"_794":795},"availableForSale","compareAtPrice","gid://shopify/ProductVariant/43584784629957",{"_775":776,"_777":778,"_123":779,"_764":765,"_780":781},"altText","When We Cease to Understand the World Cover Image","height",2048,"gid://shopify/ProductImage/34880306512069","width",1334,"price",{"_784":785,"_786":787},"currencyCode","NZD","amount","28.0","selectedOptions",[790],{"_751":752,"_791":755},"value","barcode","9781782276142","storeAvailability",{"_796":797},"edges",[798,803],{"_799":800},"node",{"_801":109,"_126":802},"available",{"_751":341},{"_799":804},{"_801":109,"_126":805},{"_751":722},"media",{"_768":808},[809],{"_123":810,"_203":811,"_813":814},"gid://shopify/MediaImage/27288170234053",{"_775":776,"_777":778,"_123":812,"_764":765,"_780":781},"gid://shopify/ImageSource/27288170234053","mediaContentType","IMAGE","metafields",[817,821,824,827,830,833,836,840,-5,841,843,-5,845,848,850,853,-5,856,859,862,-5,865,868,869,872,874,876,879,882,884,886,889,892,895,896,897,899,901,904,907,909,912,915,917,920,-5,922,924,927,929],{"_818":819,"_820":17,"_791":756},"namespace","bookinfo_ebility","key",{"_818":819,"_820":822,"_791":823},"author","LABATUT BENJAMIN",{"_818":819,"_820":825,"_791":826},"binding","PB",{"_818":819,"_820":828,"_791":829},"imprint","PUSHKI",{"_818":819,"_820":831,"_791":832},"supplier_auckland","UBD",{"_818":819,"_820":834,"_791":835},"supplier_wellington","PRH",{"_818":837,"_820":838,"_791":839},"bookinfo_thorpe","supplemented","true",{"_818":837,"_820":17,"_791":756},{"_818":837,"_820":822,"_791":842},"Adrian Nathan West (Translator); Benjamin Labatut",{"_818":837,"_820":844,"_791":760},"annotation",{"_818":837,"_820":846,"_791":847},"publisher","Pushkin Press, Limited",{"_818":837,"_820":825,"_791":849},"Trade Paper",{"_818":837,"_820":851,"_791":852},"onix_binding","Paperback",{"_818":837,"_820":854,"_791":855},"language","English",{"_818":837,"_820":857,"_791":858},"bic_subject","HISTORICAL FICTION; SHORT STORIES",{"_818":837,"_820":860,"_791":861},"publish_date","2021-09-14",{"_818":837,"_820":863,"_791":864},"page_count","192",{"_818":866,"_820":344,"_791":867},"status","ACT",{"_818":866,"_820":724,"_791":867},{"_818":866,"_820":870,"_791":871},"onorder_auckland","false",{"_818":866,"_820":873,"_791":871},"onorder_wellington",{"_818":866,"_820":875,"_791":871},"on_preorder",{"_818":866,"_820":877,"_791":878},"last_received_auckland","03/03/2026",{"_818":866,"_820":880,"_791":881},"last_received_wellington","19/12/2025",{"_818":866,"_820":883,"_791":787},"price_auckland",{"_818":866,"_820":885,"_791":787},"price_wellington",{"_818":866,"_820":887,"_791":888},"stock_auckland","5",{"_818":866,"_820":890,"_791":891},"stock_wellington","3",{"_818":893,"_820":894,"_791":742},"categories","merged",{"_818":893,"_820":344,"_791":742},{"_818":893,"_820":724,"_791":743},{"_818":893,"_820":898,"_791":741},"codes_merged",{"_818":893,"_820":900,"_791":741},"codes_auckland",{"_818":893,"_820":902,"_791":903},"codes_wellington","FICTIO;SCIFIC",{"_818":893,"_820":905,"_791":906},"sub_merged","FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":908,"_791":906},"sub_auckland",{"_818":893,"_820":910,"_791":911},"sub_wellington","FICTION;SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY",{"_818":893,"_820":913,"_791":914},"main_merged","FICTION & POETRY",{"_818":893,"_820":916,"_791":914},"main_auckland",{"_818":893,"_820":918,"_791":919},"main_wellington","FICTION & POETRY;FICTION & POETRY",{"_818":893,"_820":921,"_791":914},"web_departments_merged",{"_818":893,"_820":923,"_791":919},"web_departments_wellington",{"_818":893,"_820":925,"_791":926},"departments_merged","FIC",{"_818":893,"_820":928,"_791":926},"department_auckland",{"_818":893,"_820":930,"_791":926},"department_wellington","staffPick",{"_115":933,"_934":793,"_935":936,"_937":938,"_955":956,"_957":724,"_17":756},"88d5cf80-4447-4bc0-b112-0375229f0a0a","bookISBN","category","fiction","reviewer",{"_115":939,"_940":941,"_946":947,"_953":954},"4fe44d45-755d-4b01-8f7a-fd603841f64b","staffAvatar",{"_10":203,"_775":-5,"_204":942,"_777":944,"_764":945,"_780":944},{"_106":943,"_10":104},"image-8b555fe5a5c3b461a9f678dbb7939030d98b1836-256x256-png",256,"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vevu5fy8/production/8b555fe5a5c3b461a9f678dbb7939030d98b1836-256x256.png","staffAvatarAlt",{"_10":203,"_775":-5,"_204":948,"_777":950,"_764":951,"_780":952},{"_106":949,"_10":104},"image-d7ff8cbd74eba5f8095064ea5a409f8ddf9b6f1f-160x161-png",161,"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vevu5fy8/production/d7ff8cbd74eba5f8095064ea5a409f8ddf9b6f1f-160x161.png",160,"staffName","Adrian","shortReview","Amazing. Better writers say better things on the cover. Read them, then this book. A nonfiction novel (yes!) about science and the modern world.","storeLocation","settings",{"_960":961},"productFaq",[962],{"_8":963,"_10":964,"_965":966,"_976":977},"18de7f0938a4","module.dropdowns","copy",[967],{"_8":968,"_10":63,"_64":969,"_72":974,"_16":975},"34b5b6104e86",[970],{"_8":971,"_10":68,"_69":972,"_37":973},"fbdf4c153ea30",[390],"Conditions of purchase, deliveries & returns",[],"h1","items",[978,999,1021],{"_8":979,"_10":980,"_965":981,"_219":998},"e11b9ac0a3c9","headingText",[982,990],{"_8":983,"_10":63,"_64":984,"_72":989,"_16":160},"90175698f930",[985],{"_8":986,"_10":68,"_69":987,"_37":988},"2f02508da8840",[],"If there is a fault with the publishing of the book you purchased then we can replace the book for you at no extra cost. We may need to send away for a replacement copy from the publishers, so there could be a wee wait.",[],{"_8":991,"_10":63,"_64":992,"_72":997,"_16":160},"0e887394e709",[993],{"_8":994,"_10":68,"_69":995,"_37":996},"d3a03d3cd16e0",[],"For any other return question, please email online@unitybooks.co.nz\n",[],"What is your refund policy?",{"_8":1000,"_10":980,"_965":1001,"_219":1020},"cfe391969264",[1002],{"_8":1003,"_10":63,"_64":1004,"_72":1018,"_16":160},"203f1575c2b4",[1005,1009,1014],{"_8":1006,"_10":68,"_69":1007,"_37":1008},"2a857a8a1677",[],"Please contact us directly by emailing ",{"_8":1010,"_10":68,"_69":1011,"_37":1013},"f8c6077b8006",[1012],"d8624759306b","online@unitybooks.co.nz",{"_8":1015,"_10":68,"_69":1016,"_37":1017},"e982d795c281",[],". Or you can call your closest Unity Books store: \nWellington 04 499 4245\nAuckland 09 307 0731",[1019],{"_8":1012,"_10":148,"_149":1013},"I have faulty products, who should I contact?",{"_8":1022,"_10":980,"_965":1023,"_219":1040},"70ac585fe889",[1024,1032],{"_8":1025,"_10":63,"_64":1026,"_72":1031,"_16":160},"aee5732c0b84",[1027],{"_8":1028,"_10":68,"_69":1029,"_37":1030},"999161abc3530",[],"We offer a range of shipping options covering delivery within New Zealand and internationally. Plus pick-up in store. Shipping is calculated at checkout. \n\nFor estimated delivery times please contact the store. Store details can be found on the contact page.",[],{"_8":1033,"_10":63,"_64":1034,"_72":1039,"_16":160},"9f372851ad8a",[1035],{"_8":1036,"_10":68,"_69":1037,"_37":1038},"e6578f2654410",[],"Thanks!",[],"What are my different shipping options?","relatedProducts",[1043,1125,1201,1278],{"_123":1044,"_17":1045,"_735":1046,"_762":1047,"_815":1049,"_766":1106},"gid://shopify/Product/8542199808197","Lady in the Lake","lady-in-the-lake",{"_764":1048},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-0-241-95632-8.jpg?v=1766718445",[1050,1051,1053,1054,1056,-5,1057,1058,-5,1060,1062,1064,1067,1069,1070,-5,-5,1071,1073,1075,1077,1079,-5,1080,-5,1081,1082,-5,1084,-5,1086,-5,1088,1090,-5,1092,1094,-5,1096,1098,-5,1100,1101,-5,1102,-5,-5,1103,1105,-5],{"_818":819,"_820":17,"_791":1045},{"_818":819,"_820":822,"_791":1052},"CHANDLER RAYMOND",{"_818":819,"_820":825,"_791":826},{"_818":819,"_820":828,"_791":1055},"PENGUI",{"_818":819,"_820":831,"_791":832},{"_818":837,"_820":838,"_791":839},{"_818":837,"_820":17,"_791":1059},"The Lady in the Lake",{"_818":837,"_820":822,"_791":1061},"Raymond Chandler; Jonathan Kellerman (Introduction by)",{"_818":837,"_820":844,"_791":1063},"Derace Kingsley's wife ran away to Mexico to get a quickie divorce and marry a Casanova-wannabe named Chris Lavery. Or so the note she left her husband insisted. Trouble is, when Philip Marlowe asks Lavery about it he denies everything and sends the private investigator packing with a flea lodged firmly in his ear. But when Marlowe next encounters Lavery, he's denying nothing - on account of the two bullet holes in his heart. Now Marlowe's on the trail of a killer, who leads him out of smoggy LA all the way to a murky mountain lake . . .",{"_818":837,"_820":1065,"_791":1066},"audience","Trade",{"_818":837,"_820":846,"_791":1068},"Penguin Books, Limited",{"_818":837,"_820":825,"_791":849},{"_818":837,"_820":851,"_791":852},{"_818":837,"_820":857,"_791":1072},"CRIME & MYSTERY; FICTION & RELATED ITEMS",{"_818":837,"_820":860,"_791":1074},"2012-02-02",{"_818":837,"_820":863,"_791":1076},"288",{"_818":837,"_820":828,"_791":1078},"Penguin UK",{"_818":866,"_820":344,"_791":867},{"_818":866,"_820":870,"_791":839},{"_818":866,"_820":875,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":877,"_791":1083},"03/02/2026",{"_818":866,"_820":883,"_791":1085},"26.0",{"_818":866,"_820":887,"_791":1087},"0",{"_818":893,"_820":894,"_791":1089},"Crime fiction,Fiction",{"_818":893,"_820":344,"_791":1091},"Crime fiction;Fiction",{"_818":893,"_820":898,"_791":1093},"CRIME,FICTIO",{"_818":893,"_820":900,"_791":1095},"CRIME;FICTIO",{"_818":893,"_820":905,"_791":1097},"CRIME FICTION,FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":908,"_791":1099},"CRIME FICTION;FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":913,"_791":914},{"_818":893,"_820":916,"_791":919},{"_818":893,"_820":921,"_791":914},{"_818":893,"_820":925,"_791":1104},"CRI",{"_818":893,"_820":928,"_791":1104},{"_768":1107},[1108],{"_771":109,"_772":-5,"_123":1109,"_203":1110,"_782":1113,"_788":1114,"_17":1045,"_792":1116,"_794":1117},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/45531650687173",{"_775":1111,"_777":778,"_123":1112,"_764":1048,"_780":781},"The Lady in the Lake Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/40524916654277",{"_784":785,"_786":1085},[1115],{"_751":752,"_791":1045},"9780241956328",{"_796":1118},[1119,1122],{"_799":1120},{"_801":109,"_126":1121},{"_751":341},{"_799":1123},{"_801":109,"_126":1124},{"_751":722},{"_123":1126,"_17":1127,"_735":1128,"_762":1129,"_815":1131,"_766":1184},"gid://shopify/Product/8537712918725","Robber Bride","robber-bride",{"_764":1130},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-1-85381-722-9.jpg?v=1766175389",[1132,1133,1135,1136,-5,1138,1140,1141,-5,1143,1145,-5,1147,1149,1151,1152,-5,-5,1153,1155,1157,-5,1159,-5,1160,1161,-5,1162,-5,1164,-5,1165,1167,-5,1169,1171,-5,1173,1175,-5,1176,1178,-5,1179,1180,-5,1181,1182,-5,1183],{"_818":819,"_820":17,"_791":1127},{"_818":819,"_820":822,"_791":1134},"ATWOOD MARGARET",{"_818":819,"_820":825,"_791":826},{"_818":819,"_820":828,"_791":1137},"VIRAGO",{"_818":819,"_820":834,"_791":1139},"ADS",{"_818":837,"_820":838,"_791":839},{"_818":837,"_820":17,"_791":1142},"The Robber Bride",{"_818":837,"_820":822,"_791":1144},"Margaret Atwood",{"_818":837,"_820":844,"_791":1146},"

BY THE BESTSELLING, PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE HANDMAID'S TALE

'Atwood has never written better than in this novel of glittering breadth and dark, eerie depths' SUNDAY TIMES

'As smart as anything Atwood has written, and she is always smart' NEW YORK TIMES

Zenia is beautiful, smart and greedy, by turns manipulative and vulnerable, needy and ruthless, a man's dream and a woman's nightmare. She is also dead. Just to make sure, Tony, Roz and Charis, who first met and suffered her as university students in the sixties, are there for the funeral. But five years on, as the three women share an indulgent, sisterly lunch, the unthinkable happens; Zenia is back.

'Atwood's plotting is masterful, and her humor is razor-edged, sexy, and raucous' WASHINGTON POST

'Vividly written, acutely observed and very possibly the most intelligently tongue-in-cheek novel of the year' SALMON RUSHDIE

'An absorbing, high-speed read, the prose burnished with the author's characteristic verve, wit and insight' INDEPENDENT

",{"_818":837,"_820":846,"_791":1148},"Little, Brown Book Group Limited",{"_818":837,"_820":825,"_791":1150},"UK-B Format Paperback",{"_818":837,"_820":851,"_791":852},{"_818":837,"_820":854,"_791":855},{"_818":837,"_820":860,"_791":1154},"1996-01-10",{"_818":837,"_820":863,"_791":1156},"576",{"_818":837,"_820":828,"_791":1158},"Virago Press",{"_818":866,"_820":724,"_791":867},{"_818":866,"_820":873,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":875,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":880,"_791":1163},"24/12/2025",{"_818":866,"_820":885,"_791":787},{"_818":866,"_820":890,"_791":1166},"1",{"_818":893,"_820":894,"_791":1168},"Fiction,Canadian Fiction",{"_818":893,"_820":724,"_791":1170},"Fiction;Canadian Fiction",{"_818":893,"_820":898,"_791":1172},"FICTIO,CANFIC",{"_818":893,"_820":902,"_791":1174},"FICTIO;CANFIC",{"_818":893,"_820":905,"_791":906},{"_818":893,"_820":910,"_791":1177},"FICTION;FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":913,"_791":914},{"_818":893,"_820":918,"_791":919},{"_818":893,"_820":921,"_791":914},{"_818":893,"_820":923,"_791":919},{"_818":893,"_820":925,"_791":926},{"_818":893,"_820":930,"_791":926},{"_768":1185},[1186],{"_771":109,"_772":-5,"_123":1187,"_203":1188,"_782":1192,"_788":1193,"_17":1127,"_792":1195,"_794":1196},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/45514710712517",{"_775":1189,"_777":778,"_123":1190,"_764":1130,"_780":1191},"The Robber Bride Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/40457210560709",1324,{"_784":785,"_786":787},[1194],{"_751":752,"_791":1127},"9781853817229",{"_796":1197},[1198],{"_799":1199},{"_801":109,"_126":1200},{"_751":722},{"_123":1202,"_17":1203,"_735":1204,"_762":1205,"_815":1207,"_766":1261},"gid://shopify/Product/8343922213061","Humble Lover","humble-lover",{"_764":1206},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-1-63973-527-3.jpg?v=1749193768",[1208,1209,1211,1213,-5,1215,1216,1217,-5,1219,1221,1223,1224,1226,1227,1228,-5,-5,1229,1231,-5,-5,1233,-5,1234,1235,-5,1236,-5,1238,-5,1240,1242,-5,1244,1246,-5,1248,1250,-5,1252,1253,-5,1255,1256,-5,1258,1259,-5,1260],{"_818":819,"_820":17,"_791":1203},{"_818":819,"_820":822,"_791":1210},"WHITE EDMUND",{"_818":819,"_820":825,"_791":1212},"TP",{"_818":819,"_820":828,"_791":1214},"BLOOMS",{"_818":819,"_820":834,"_791":835},{"_818":837,"_820":838,"_791":839},{"_818":837,"_820":17,"_791":1218},"The Humble Lover",{"_818":837,"_820":822,"_791":1220},"Edmund White",{"_818":837,"_820":844,"_791":1222},"

A wildly hilarious and irreverent novel about a rich octogenarian and the young ballerino he covets-Edmund White at his funniest and most unrestrained.

Aldwych West, an eighty-year-old modern-day aristocrat living alone in his Manhattan townhouse, is used to having what he wants. And when he sets eyes on August Dupond, a strong, stunningly beautiful soloist in the New York City Ballet, he decides he must have him. Soon they strike up a closeness that falls between the blurry lines of friendship, sponsorship, and love, and August moves in with Aldwych. But eventually August starts bringing home other men, and a formidable woman in Aldwych's circle named Ernestine also takes a deep interest in the young, enchanting star. Messy entanglements and fierce rivalries ensue, and the result is an unforgettable, outrageous tragicomedy that explores the many layers of love and sexual desire as only Edmund White can.

",{"_818":837,"_820":1065,"_791":1066},{"_818":837,"_820":846,"_791":1225},"Bloomsbury Publishing USA",{"_818":837,"_820":825,"_791":849},{"_818":837,"_820":851,"_791":852},{"_818":837,"_820":854,"_791":855},{"_818":837,"_820":860,"_791":1230},"2025-01-28",{"_818":837,"_820":863,"_791":1232},"272",{"_818":866,"_820":724,"_791":867},{"_818":866,"_820":873,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":875,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":880,"_791":1237},"06/01/2026",{"_818":866,"_820":885,"_791":1239},"35.0",{"_818":866,"_820":890,"_791":1241},"7",{"_818":893,"_820":894,"_791":1243},"Fiction,Queer Fiction",{"_818":893,"_820":724,"_791":1245},"Fiction;Queer Fiction",{"_818":893,"_820":898,"_791":1247},"FICTIO,QUEFIC",{"_818":893,"_820":902,"_791":1249},"FICTIO;QUEFIC",{"_818":893,"_820":905,"_791":1251},"FICTION,LGBTQIA+ FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":910,"_791":1177},{"_818":893,"_820":913,"_791":1254},"FICTION & POETRY,LGBTQIA+",{"_818":893,"_820":918,"_791":919},{"_818":893,"_820":921,"_791":1257},"FICTION & POETRY,NON FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":923,"_791":919},{"_818":893,"_820":925,"_791":926},{"_818":893,"_820":930,"_791":926},{"_768":1262},[1263],{"_771":109,"_772":-5,"_123":1264,"_203":1265,"_782":1269,"_788":1270,"_17":1203,"_792":1272,"_794":1273},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/44799091933381",{"_775":1266,"_777":778,"_123":1267,"_764":1206,"_780":1268},"The Humble Lover Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/38304223232197",1365,{"_784":785,"_786":1239},[1271],{"_751":752,"_791":1203},"9781639735273",{"_796":1274},[1275],{"_799":1276},{"_801":109,"_126":1277},{"_751":722},{"_123":1279,"_17":1280,"_735":1281,"_762":1282,"_815":1284,"_766":1336},"gid://shopify/Product/8625443832005","How to be Both","how-to-be-both",{"_764":1283},"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0625/6679/3413/files/978-0-14-102520-9.jpg?v=1770012513",[1285,1286,1288,1289,-5,1290,1291,1292,-5,1294,1296,1298,1299,1300,1301,-5,-5,1302,1304,1306,1308,-5,1309,-5,1310,1311,-5,1312,-5,1313,-5,1314,1315,-5,1317,1319,-5,1321,1323,-5,1325,1327,-5,1329,1331,-5,1332,1334,-5,1335],{"_818":819,"_820":17,"_791":1280},{"_818":819,"_820":822,"_791":1287},"SMITH ALI",{"_818":819,"_820":825,"_791":826},{"_818":819,"_820":828,"_791":1055},{"_818":819,"_820":834,"_791":835},{"_818":837,"_820":838,"_791":839},{"_818":837,"_820":17,"_791":1293},"How to Be Both",{"_818":837,"_820":822,"_791":1295},"Ali Smith",{"_818":837,"_820":844,"_791":1297},"Passionate, compassionate, vitally inventive and scrupulously playful, Ali Smith's novels are like nothing else.

How to be both is a novel all about art's versatility. Borrowing from painting's fresco technique to make an original literary double-take, it's a fast-moving genre-bending conversation between forms, times, truths and fictions. There's a renaissance artist of the 1460s. There's the child of a child of the 1960s. Two tales of love and injustice twist into a singular yarn where time gets timeless, structural gets playful, knowing gets mysterious, fictional gets real - and all life's givens get given a second chance.",{"_818":837,"_820":1065,"_791":1066},{"_818":837,"_820":846,"_791":1068},{"_818":837,"_820":825,"_791":849},{"_818":837,"_820":851,"_791":852},{"_818":837,"_820":857,"_791":1303},"HISTORICAL FICTION; FICTION & RELATED ITEMS_EUROPE; FICTION & RELATED ITEMS",{"_818":837,"_820":860,"_791":1305},"2015-05-04",{"_818":837,"_820":863,"_791":1307},"384",{"_818":837,"_820":828,"_791":1078},{"_818":866,"_820":724,"_791":867},{"_818":866,"_820":873,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":875,"_791":871},{"_818":866,"_820":880,"_791":878},{"_818":866,"_820":885,"_791":787},{"_818":866,"_820":890,"_791":1166},{"_818":893,"_820":894,"_791":1316},"Fiction,Quilting",{"_818":893,"_820":724,"_791":1318},"Fiction;Quilting",{"_818":893,"_820":898,"_791":1320},"FICTIO,QUILT",{"_818":893,"_820":902,"_791":1322},"FICTIO;QUILT",{"_818":893,"_820":905,"_791":1324},"FICTION,DESIGN & CRAFT",{"_818":893,"_820":910,"_791":1326},"FICTION;DESIGN & CRAFT",{"_818":893,"_820":913,"_791":1328},"FICTION & POETRY,THE ARTS",{"_818":893,"_820":918,"_791":1330},"FICTION & POETRY;THE ARTS",{"_818":893,"_820":921,"_791":1257},{"_818":893,"_820":923,"_791":1333},"FICTION & POETRY;NON FICTION",{"_818":893,"_820":925,"_791":926},{"_818":893,"_820":930,"_791":926},{"_768":1337},[1338],{"_771":109,"_772":-5,"_123":1339,"_203":1340,"_782":1344,"_788":1345,"_17":1280,"_792":1347,"_794":1348},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/45740007522501",{"_775":1341,"_777":778,"_123":1342,"_764":1283,"_780":1343},"How to Be Both Cover Image","gid://shopify/ProductImage/41085924081861",1345,{"_784":785,"_786":787},[1346],{"_751":752,"_791":1280},"9780141025209",{"_796":1349},[1350],{"_799":1351},{"_801":109,"_126":1352},{"_751":722},"relatedProductsCollectionUrl","/collections/shop-all?shopify_products%5BrefinementList%5D%5Bmeta.categories.sub_merged%5D%5B0%5D=FICTION","relatedProductsFirstSubCategory","city","columbus","actionData","errors"]

When We Cease To Understand The World

by Benjamin Labatut & Adrian Nathan West (translator)

Select a store