Description
Open Country: People and Places Out of Town, edited by iconic broadcaster Jim Henderson, is a celebrated literary anthology that captures the folklore, heritage, and daily rhythms of rural New Zealand life during the mid-20th century. First published in 1965 by A.H. & A.W. Reed, the book functions as a print companion to Henderson’s highly popular, long-running New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC) radio programme of the same name.
Core Themes and Content
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- The Voice of the Backcountry: Rather than showcasing professional authors, the book compiles first-person, listener-submitted stories and broadcast scripts from everyday Kiwi countrymen and countrywomen. It preserves the authentic oral histories of farmers, musterers, shearers, and isolated coastal dwellers stretching from North Cape to Stewart Island.
- Daily Rhythms of Rural Life: Documents the lived experiences of pioneering families, capturing simple, nostalgic snapshot memories. Featured stories recount tasks like hand-churning butter, milking cows, clearing deep bush with horses, and children running barefoot through the paddocks.
- Hardship and Humour: Weaves a “vivid tapestry” of New Zealand’s past by balancing homespun humour with historic drama. The anthology preserves tales of local eccentrics, family comedies, the raw realities of navigating the Great Depression, and the dangerous terrain of high-country farming.
- Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: Acted as a cultural bridge during a period of rapid urbanisation, bringing the sights, sounds, and identity of the rugged backcountry directly into suburban living rooms.
Book Structure and Legacy
The book is structured as a curated collection of short stories, vignettes, and reflections. Because the radio programme ran successfully for 14 years, this original volume launched an incredibly popular multi-book series, which later included Return to Open Country (1967) and Open Country Calling (1969).
Hardcover. First-Edition. 268 Pages. In Good to Very Good condition with the exception of extremelty light foxing to the Head.
