tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post4916916398903541746..comments2023-10-01T00:16:36.045+13:00Comments on Opposable thumb: Andrew MasonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-85698680193645575322013-03-19T15:17:36.713+13:002013-03-19T15:17:36.713+13:00Andrew Mason introduced me to The New Yorker magaz...Andrew Mason introduced me to The New Yorker magazine when I was only 9 at their holiday home in Fish Bay in the Sounds at the top of the South Island.<br /><br />At that age I enjoyed the magazine for its flashy American cars, new cameras and Bernard Schoenbaum's or Saul Steinberg's wacky cartoons.<br /><br />I was from Rotorua where my world till that date was fed by school yard fights and the local haka.<br /><br />So spending time in Fish Bay hearing and learning new things were seeds for better things outside my small life. Andrew and his dad, Uncle Malcolm, would slowly read through each and every article often passing back and forth comments at an intellectual level way about me.<br /><br />But they sounded clever so it made me listen. It was only later, long after Uncle Malcolm died in 1985 did I realise the literary bond Malcolm and Andrew had, and that what I had seen as a child was just a sample of that.<br /><br />Each time I see a copy of the New Yorker my mind flashes back to rainy days overlooking Fish Bay and of the voices of great people sadly missed. RIP Andrew and Uncle Malcolm, I hope wherever you are The New Yorker is not far away.Wingatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16358512562693562856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-36568130581758487582009-02-02T16:19:00.000+13:002009-02-02T16:19:00.000+13:00I have only just come across this sad news. I got ...I have only just come across this sad news. I got to know Andrew in my Godwit days, when he edited three issues of Vital Writing for us, giving a new press a helping hand. He was a thorough professional and a pleasure to work with. I enjoyed his dry wit and was secretly impressed that this dapper intellectual had a day job as a bus driver at that time! I hope Andrew’s contribution to New Zealand letters will become more widely known in years to come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-19852180819721617852009-01-28T18:11:00.000+13:002009-01-28T18:11:00.000+13:00And my apologies for being the fourth person here ...And my apologies for being the fourth person here to use the word 'lovely.'(How about 'lyrical'?) Where's a decent lit'ry ed when you need him?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-58525545236229274522009-01-28T17:41:00.000+13:002009-01-28T17:41:00.000+13:00Lovely piece, Denis. We've added a few thoughts ov...Lovely piece, Denis. We've added a few thoughts over in our corner of the online woods.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-46454634892438026282009-01-28T11:47:00.000+13:002009-01-28T11:47:00.000+13:00Thanks, Denis.Andrew and his togs, that's how we'l...Thanks, Denis.<BR/>Andrew and his togs, that's how we'll choose to remember him too.<BR/><BR/>On one of his holidays with us, he and my husband John decided to renovate the bathroom ceiling in our vintage Foxton beach house. Zeal and gusto were applied where delicacy might have been more prudent. Down it came with a crash, and down with it came 60 years of rats' nests, birds' nests, woodlice and sandy filth. The room was totalled in an unholy mess, leaving us nowhere to wash. The two giggling culprits, black as miners, stood out on the lawn in their togs while I hosed them both down. Laughter for days.<BR/><BR/>Thank God the sea was handy.<BR/><BR/>Forget semicolons; I taught Andrew all he knew about puttying windows.<BR/><BR/>My sincere sympathy to his nearest and dearest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-48840851748956066342009-01-28T10:12:00.000+13:002009-01-28T10:12:00.000+13:00This comment has been removed by the author.mKehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17517461294269473856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-50371167937948351552009-01-27T11:59:00.000+13:002009-01-27T11:59:00.000+13:00Denis, I had no idea that Andrew had died - someth...Denis, I had no idea that Andrew had died - something to do with being resident in Christchurch probably, and away from my usual networks. I am extremely saddened by this news. I only met Andrew a couple of years ago, at the launch of Bub Bridger's collected poems. It was after my father had died, and we had a long conversation. Andrew was such a sympathetic listener that I found myself pouring out sadness and frustration that I wouldn't normally to a stranger. This is very sad. I would like to send my sympathy to his family and friends somehow.Rachael Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07690377694600952816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-23331213277761224912009-01-27T11:03:00.000+13:002009-01-27T11:03:00.000+13:00The finest editor. That is so well said, Denis. I ...The finest editor. That is so well said, Denis. I was at the Listener during Andrew’s time there, sitting just a couple of desks away from where he tucked himself into the corner, learning and benefitting every day from all that he gave us. Andrew’s carefully marked copy set the subbing standard. His personal grace, even when you knew he was roiling inside, prevented the place many times from erupting. He kept poets in business, inasmuch as that is ever possible, he published benchmark reviews on a weekly basis, and his support for Maori writing, as Denis notes, was unequalled. Also, he was a very funny guy. Quietly, with mirthful irony wielded like those definitively well-placed semis, and often. This is such a loss.Simon Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01431698809040527366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-51377682100339890142009-01-27T10:04:00.000+13:002009-01-27T10:04:00.000+13:00I agree with Philip, it is a lovely tribute, mate,...I agree with Philip, it is a lovely tribute, mate, and the Listener history idea is a good one. Who better to write it than you?<BR/><BR/>Could you flick me an email. My old computer died and I lost your address.Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14247985036973449174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585898215305748248.post-39571286676170727092009-01-26T22:10:00.000+13:002009-01-26T22:10:00.000+13:00I never met Andrew but this is a lovely tribute. Y...I never met Andrew but this is a lovely tribute. You really should write the history of the NZ Listener. I'm sure it's occurred to you.Philip Matthewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03235628499602822563noreply@blogger.com