The Dark Dad: War And Trauma — A Daughter's Tale

Author: Mary Kisler

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General Fields

  • : $37.00 NZD
  • : 9781991016560
  • : Massey University
  • : Massey University
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  • : 37.0
  • : 01 April 2025
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  • : books

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  • : Mary Kisler
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Barcode 9781991016560
9781991016560

Description

The damage done to a family by war.


Art historian Mary Kisler grew up in the early 1950s with a father who talked little, whose affection she cherished and whose anger she feared. She later came to understand the trauma that lay behind his dark moods: rejection and violence in his childhood and the brutal experience of being a prisoner of war in Italy and then Germany from late 1941 to 1945.


 In this affecting memoir, she traces back through her father’s life and war record, discovering a man who had suffered but who ultimately found peace of mind among the people he loved most.

Reviews

‘A powerful, redemptive story and one of forgiveness’ — Mihingarangi Forbes, RNZ’s Saturday Morning


‘Evokes such a deep sense of sorrow I went off and had a little cry’ — Linda Herrick, NZ Listener


‘A memorable, plain-speaking book of dogged research’ — Sally Blundell, ReadingRoom

Author description

Mary Kisler MNZM worked for 21 years at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, latterly as Senior Curator, Mackelvie Collection, International Art.