Maurice Gee, a celebrated and acclaimed novelist, emerged from the charming coastal town of Whakatane, situated in the picturesque North Island of New Zealand, on August 22, 1931. As one of the most distinguished and revered literary figures to have hailed from the land of the long white cloud, Gee has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim for his impressive and diverse body of work, which has been consistently praised for its literary merit and storytelling prowess.
His remarkable 1978 novel, Plumb, a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of the human condition, earned him the prestigious James Tait Black Memorial Prize, a coveted and highly respected literary award that has been presented annually since 1919 to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to English literature. This esteemed recognition not only further solidified Gee's position as a prominent and respected figure in the literary world but also cemented his reputation as a masterful storyteller and a leading voice in New Zealand literature.
Gee's formative years in Henderson, a suburb of Auckland, had a profound and lasting impact on his literary craft, often featuring the city as a poignant and recurring setting in his narratives.
Gee's personal life is marked by a strong sense of commitment and responsibility, as he is currently married and a devoted father to three children, including his talented daughter Emily, who has followed in her father's footsteps and established a career as a writer.
Gee's dedication to the principles of rational thought and humanism is evident in his esteemed status as an Honorary Associate of the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists, a distinction that serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the values of reason, compassion, and intellectual curiosity.
As a family man, Gee's life is filled with the joys and challenges of raising a family, and he is deeply proud of the accomplishments of his children, including his accomplished daughter Emily, who has made a name for herself in the literary world.
Gee's association with the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists is a reflection of his strong convictions and his desire to promote a culture of critical thinking, skepticism, and open-mindedness, values that are essential for creating a more enlightened and compassionate society.
