David Parkyn's Something Else is a richly layered novel that navigates the intersections of art, memory and societal change. Set against the backdrop of inner-city Auckland in the 1960s, the narrative follows an artist who, facing the demolition of his studio and the desolation of a city threatened by drought, embarks on a metaphorical and literal journey of self-discovery.

The protagonist's quest to locate a mysterious iceberg - last seen buried deep within Freemans Bay - serves as a compelling metaphor for confronting submerged memories and unresolved past events.This voyage becomes a conduit for exploring broader themes, including the shifting dynamics of modern art movements, the complexities of political activism and the nuances of personal relationships.

Parkyn's prose is both evocative and introspective and reviewers have lauded Something Else for its bold narrative scope and linguistic prowess, capturing the zeitgeist of a transformative era in New Zealand's cultural history. It is a testament to the power of art to reflect and shape our understanding of the world.

Review The freshness of ‘Something Else’ - besides Sally Griffin's lovely, expressionist illustrations at the head of each chapter - is that it tells a story from our recent history that has seldom been told. New Zealand Books