Stevan Eldred-Grigg, born on the back seat of a speeding taxi, grew up in a tumultuous household in suburban Christchurch and graduated with a doctorate in history from the Australian National University. Few contemporary New Zealand or Australian novelists have written about subjects so varied and challenging – and in such a variety of genres and styles. His first novel was the prizewinning Oracles and Miracles, subsequently adapted for stage and radio, and also the first major novel by a living New Zealand writer to be published in China. Stevan's latest novel, Bangs, is the fourth book in what has become a family saga over three generations, beginning with Oracles and Miracles and continuing in The Shining City and Mum. Other novels by the author are The Siren Celia, Gardens of Fire, Blue Blood, Kaput! and Shanghai Boy. Stevan Eldred-Grigg lives mostly in Wellington, teaches as well as writes, and has three sons. His website: www.eldred-grigg.com