Something for the birds

Something for the birds is an unusual and engaging memoir of the early life of well-known artist and Auckland personality Jacqueline Fahey. She traces her roots from her childhood in Timaru back to her Irish ancestors, and describes her bohemian life as an art student in Christchurch and her marriage to celebrated psychiatrist Fraser McDonald. A tapestry of very funny personal and family stories, this book also casts light on fascinating elements of New Zealand society, from the strict indoctrination of Catholic education and the fiery legacy of Irish blood to the Christchurch matrons who banned Fahey from their 'at homes'. Fahey's commentary on the social and cultural trappings of New Zealand life is shrewd, witty and perceptive. She has always lived flamboyantly and courageously and her crucial position as a painter in the vanguard of feminism is clear without being made an excuse for self-importance. Family pictures and some of Fahey's most important paintings further illustrate this lively, amusing, sad and utterly readable memoir of a life lived to the full.

Ch. 1. He rode like a Cossack -- Ch. 2. When they stopped singing -- Ch. 3. Imagining the Faheys -- Ch. 4. Machweil -- Ch. 5. My father's teeth -- Ch. 6. Are these my memories? -- Ch. 7. The index and Teschemakers -- Ch. 8. The dove, the hawk and Mother Francis -- Ch. 9. Finding out about myself -- Ch. 10. Timaru in the forties -- Ch. 11. Exit from Christchurch -- Ch. 12. Looking for Colin McCahon -- Ch. 13. Messing up in Timaru -- Ch. 14. Falling in love -- Ch. 15. Party in a submarine -- Ch. 16. Commitment to madness and painting -- Ch. 17. Harry's -- Ch. 18. Looking back and being here.