Ingrid Horrocks Explores Women’s Lives in All Her Lives Collection

Ingrid Horrocks has released her latest book, All Her Lives, a compelling collection of interconnected stories that delve into the lives of women across various eras. Published by Te Herenga Waka University Press, the book features narratives set in the Wairarapa and Wellington, showcasing the complexity and diversity of women’s experiences.

Horrocks, who has previously authored the memoir Where We Swim (2021) and the scholarly work Women Wanderers and the Writing of Mobility (2017), expresses a profound interest in weaving a tapestry of women’s voices. She describes her motivation: “I started with this idea of nine stories of nine very different women. I didn’t imagine the stories chronologically. I was drawn to how things morph and shift, echo and repeat across time and generations.” This approach allows characters from different stories to intersect, highlighting the unexpected directions lives can take.

From Rural Roots to Literary Exploration

Having grown up in rural Wairarapa, Horrocks draws inspiration from her surroundings. Her childhood experiences on a sheep farm inform the opening story of All Her Lives, which is based on a fictionalized version of her family’s farm. She explains, “Place is central to everything I write – as much a character as the human participants.” The narrative captures the essence of her rural upbringing, using photographs from the 1910s to evoke a sense of history and environment.

One particularly poignant story in the collection focuses on Truby King’s Melrose garden, a site known for its beauty as well as its troubling historical context. Horrocks navigates the complexities surrounding King, who is recognized for his contributions to child health and criticized for his views on eugenics. She reflects on the duality of the garden, stating, “Even Plunket, of which King is one of the founders, has publicly apologised for his views on eugenics, race, and women’s roles.” In her story, King is portrayed as an eccentric figure, emphasizing the personal struggle of reconciling beauty with a complicated legacy.

Intimacy and Historical Context

Horrocks balances the grand sweep of history with intimate personal narratives. Each story is designed to focus on the character at its core, ensuring that the character’s voice drives the narrative. The Wairarapa story, for instance, centers on Evie, a queer woman returning from war service in Europe, while another narrative explores a mother visiting her son in prison for a climate action. The Berlin rave story captures the vibrancy of one night out, showcasing the small moments that collectively shape life.

Critically acclaimed author Emily Perkins describes All Her Lives as “a book of quiet force,” reflecting Horrocks’ intention for readers to walk away with a sense of compassion and wonder. Horrocks hopes to convey the interconnectedness of women’s experiences and the wider world, stating, “Perhaps a sense of compassion and wonder, and a feeling of the wider world being with us.”

In conclusion, Ingrid Horrocks’ new collection not only enriches the literary landscape but also invites readers to reflect on the diverse experiences of women throughout history. Through a blend of personal and historical narratives, she crafts a narrative that resonates with contemporary issues while honoring the complexities of the past. Horrocks lives in Wellington with her family and continues to explore the intersections of place and identity in her writing.