Dagg of a dad
New Zealand Listener|September 2-8 2023
In a new memoir about her relationship with her father, Lorin Clarke reflects on how John Clarke was just as funny as a family man as he was on television.
MARK BROATCH
Dagg of a dad

In the days following John Clarke’s death in 2017, his elder daughter, Lorin, went to his city postbox to clear his mail. As usual, it was stuffed to the gills with letters and envelopes, books and magazines. John was an enthusiastic correspondent, often exchanging letters with family and friends in New Zealand. He also bought endless books and maps, subscribed to a stack of periodicals such as the London Review of Books, the New Yorker, The Oldie, The Spectator and Private Eye, and received many unsolicited scripts and tickets to red-carpet events he never went to.

When Lorin got back to her car, she saw that one large envelope was addressed to her. It contained a ring binder from her rural primary school. Written on the spine in Biro were the words: How to return a named, sealed envelope, by John Clarke.

Excursions or other school requests all asked parents to return the attached permission slip, and the money, in a named, sealed envelope. The binder was full of these envelopes.

The first one, written in John’s careful handwriting, reads simply:

Lorin Clarke’s book club money in a named, sealed envelope, as you might expect.

Others read:

Lorin Clarke’s book club money in a  nominated, fixed receptacle. Lorin Clarke’s music money for one ticket

for her mother, whose name for the moment eludes me.

Lorin Clarke’s permission to leave home and live in the mountains.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin September 2-8 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin September 2-8 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

NEW ZEALAND LISTENER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 dak  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024