John Prins
In Pastoral Care, Auckland writer John Prins gives us nine clear-eyed, witty and beautifully written stories centred on daily life in twenty-first-century Aotearoa New Zealand. On the shores of Lake Pukaki; in kitchens, bedrooms and Lego-strewn living rooms; at school events; walking the dog, pushing a buggy, or stuck in traffic with a child kicking the back of the driver’s seat—Prins blends wry humour and emotional depth to illuminate the dark gulf between youthful dreams and the reality of adult obligations.
John Prins reinvigorates the tradition of social realism in New Zealand short fiction, investing character, scene and dialogue with a distinctive, engaging voice. Often moving, frequently funny, and always relatable, Pastoral Care marks the arrival of a bold new voice in New Zealand fiction.
Pastoral Care is the second title in the Landfall Tauraka Short Stories series, following Pretty Ugly by Kirsty Gunn.
Author
John Prins has a Master of Creative Writing from Auckland University. His stories have been published in Landfall and Newsroom. He lives with his family in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Pastoral Care is his first book.
Publication details
Format: Paperback
Dimensions: 210 x 148mm
Pages: 160 pages
Categories: Short Stories, New Zealand Fiction
ISBN: 9781991348104
RRP: $35
Release date: 21 August 2025
Available for pre-order