"... it will leave you grasping for superlatives."

Could reviews get better than this? Some more excerpts...

"... spellbinding narrative means ... destined for legendary status."
" This novel quite simply is outstanding.  If you miss it you will kick yourself."

The full review ran in the Christchurch Press, The Dominion Post and the Waikato Times. Read the full review  here

Alveridgea Review Otago Daily Times.

Exquisite book and story
Alveridgea and the Legend of the Lonely Dog (Atlantic Books), by Ivan Clarke and Stu Duval, is a beautiful book in all senses.

Set in a world where poor working-class dogs are subjugated by wealthy and aristocratic cats, it tells the tale of a shy and reticent young musician called Lonely, whose songs inspire cat and dog alike to rebel against the cruelty and injustice of the ruling elite.

The story itself is a universal one, redolent with echoes of historical (and contemporary) events and the setting reminiscent of rust-belt America, so it is relatable. But each character has an independent existence, a detailed back-story.

The artist, Ivan Clarke, has been painting and (in conjunction with Richard Taylor) sculpting Lonely Dog and the other inhabitants of Alveridgea for years - the central character is based on his own dachshund, Arthur Snout - and the young hound's adventures originated as bedtime stories for Ivan's children. His illustrations bring the story, eloquently written by his longtime friend Stu Duval, to life; and render the book a genuine treasure, a work of art as much as literature.

Thanks so much to Cushla McKinney at the Otago Daily Times for the great review! 

See it online here ....

http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/books/225771/bookmarks

Look at Alveridgea next to Tom Clancy!

I know it is only because of being in alphabetical order! And I know you could think it is a bit lame to even blog about it ... but I did enjoy the fact that is happening in bookstores around New Zealand!

Newstalk ZB Andrew Dickens interview on Alveridgea and the Legend of the Lonely Dog. Link enclosed.

Had a great interview with the informed and intelligent Andrew Dickens of Sunday Morning Newstalk ZB fame. He has been following the Lonely Dog story with interest and it was great to talk with him. Thanks again Andrew!

Listen to the full interview here....
http://content.radionetwork.co.nz/weekondemand/auckland/11145.mp3

Start two minutes in to skip the ads!

Yet another great review of Alveridgea and the Legend of the Lonely Dog!

They just keep coming! Here is a portion of a review posted on the Amazon UK website.

I read The Hobbit 20 times as a kid and, even as an adult, pre-ordered each Harry Potter book and read it immediately upon receipt. "Alveridgea: The Legend of the Lonely Dog" appeals to me in the same way: it is a wonderful, rich imaginative world populated by quirky, unique, yet familiar characters. And I am young-at-heart enough to love the illustrations as well as the text. I spend my business days on things that are all-too-real. It is lovely to open a book like this one and spend a few hours in the authors' imaginative universe. It is like going on holiday. And I want to ride the motorcycles and drink the beer! 

Another great review for Alveridgea and the Legend of the Lonely Dog!

This is so exciting! The computer beeps. Another Google Alert. Another great review for our new novel, Alveridgea and the Legend of the Lonely Dog.

I love how this one picks up on Stu Duval's exquisite word smithery! Check it out here....

http://bobsbooksnz.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/alveridgea-and-the-legend-of-the-lonely-dog-by-ivan-clarke-and-stu-duval/

Alveridgea and the Lonely Dog gets a life of its own.

The book launches were amazing in both Queenstown and Auckland. Both galleries were packed. And everybody loved the way the book looked. Whew! 

The books are now in book stores right around New Zealand. (If your local has already sold out, they are able to re-order if you request it.) 

And finally, people are commenting on the story. After working on the story for 18 months it is hard to view it clearly any more. We are just too close to it. We have done our best, and love it, but are far from objective! 

It was great when my mum rang me to say that she absolutely loved the story. But she would! Bless her. It has been incredibly rewarding to begin to hear from friends and acquaintances that they also have loved the story. Phrases like "I could not put it down." "A real page turner." We love comments like those. 

The reviews are now starting. So far, every single one of them extremely positive. Here is one sample...

http://paranoidparents.hcibooks.com/2012/07/reading-kids-alveridgea-legend-lonely-dog-classic/

A couple I know are reading it out aloud to each other. 

It is seriously so rewarding to read these reviews and hear stories of people's enjoyment. 

Now it goes from strength to strength as more people hear of it and the media begin to review it. 

Keep an eye out for an appearance on Good Morning on TVNZ, hopefully later this week. 

Alveridgea and The Lonely Dog - People love it!

What a whirlwind few weeks! Everything seemed to happen at once. The much awaited book finally arrived. Gallery launches planned. Hundreds turned out to get their hands on copies of "Alveridgea and The Legend of the Lonely Dog" in Auckland and Queenstown, and to have them signed. 

The book has turned out even better than we had hoped for. It looks beautiful. It feels great when you hold it. And when you open it, it is simply magical! Labouring over the design was well worth it. Using off-white, rather "toothy" paper has given the book an old world feeling - exactly what we were after. Ivan's sketches look amazing, soft and elegant. The maps let the reader know very early on that this is a fully realised alternate reality. 

And the comments we have been getting on the story! Can't put it down! A real page turner! Here's one I particularly love ... 

"I have been feeling rather ill with the flu. When I have picked up a little energy over the last two days, I have also picked up a book. And struggled to put it down, even though I should have, and got more sleep. What an AMAZING story! I'd always been intrigued by Lonely Dog, but had not fully grasped him and all the array of activity around him. What a powerful story, images, characters and all. Allegory, anthropomorphism, black, blues. One of the best books I've never written in a very long time!"

I really loved this comment as it is from an author who knows a good book or two! How thrilling when others love the story too. Makes all the hard work worth it. 

You can see pieces of it on our website. Their is even a selection of a few pages to give you a taste for the book. 

www.lonelydog.com

Lonely Dog Book Launch - dates for your calendars.

We will be launching the new novel - Alveridgea and the Legend of Lonely Dog - in both the Queenstown and Auckland galleries. Invites will be on their way shortly, but make sure you mark the dates in your diary.

Queenstown 6:00 - 7:30pm, Thursday July 26th.

Auckland 6:00 - 8pm, Friday July 27th.

The book is wonderful. It has exceeded our expectations, and we are thrilled with it. Ivan will be present at both launches, and we have prevailed on Stu Duval who did most of the word crafting to be at the Auckland event, and to provide a reading. More details later...

Great Opening Night - Auckland Lonely Dog Gallery

 Here are just a few snaps (when did anyone last use that name for photos!) of the Gallery opening. We were lucky enough to have Ivan and Kerry with us, and more particularly, some of Ivan's stunning original landscapes. Needless to say one sold on the night. They are almost too good to be true.

The gallery looked great. The new format worked perfectly, and the idea of using the front as a gallery within a gallery really came to life. Thanks to all those brave souls who came out in such numbers on a cold night.

Next up will be the book launch end of July. What a rapid few weeks it has been! Organising shipping of our stock from the UK where it was printed. The delight of getting the first "authors copies" in our hands and being able to show them off around the place.

Also working with the local publishers Allen & Unwin to make sure it gets a great viewing in bookstores around the country, and also gets great media.

More news around the corner!

Gallery Opening Getting Closer!

Ivan has some really interesting work he is bringing to Auckland - this is going to be something special. Stand by to be impressed.

The Opening is Wednesday the 13th of June, from 6:30 - 8pm. (Unveiling will be at 7pm sharp.) The new address? 10 Customs Street East - next to the Mercure Hotel.

Please make sure you RSVP to the gallery, as numbers are building!
RSVP to aucklandgallery@lonelydog.com

And yes - there has been strong interest in the GST free period leading up to the launch. If any are still thinking of taking up this offer, make sure you get into the gallery before the 13th and talk to us. Remember, we are offering to pay the GST on Giclees and Black & Whites. (This offer does not apply to pre-release offers already in existence.)

Opening Night - Mark Your Calendars!

We have had a lot of fun getting the new Auckland Gallery ready. It is open now, and we are thrilled at the numbers that have dropped in already to see the new location, and take a little bit of Port Alveridgea home with them.

Mark your calendars! We are having an official opening, Wednesday 13th of June - 6- 8:30pm. Come along. Have fun. Ivan has new paintings - landscapes and Lonely Dog - that he is bringing up just for this opening.

And because there is already such interest in the new space we have decided to begin the celebrations now! From now up until the opening, we are offering to pay the GST on all Giclees and Black and White prints! (Offer does not apply to existing pre-release offers or resales.) Come on down to the gallery - talk with Ngaire or Pauline.

And where is it? Nearly forgot! 10 Customs Street. Just four doors further west (closer to Queen Street) and right next door to the Mercure Hotel. Twice the space, elegant old beams and ceiling, beautiful art.

See you there.

Great New Auckland Gallery Space!

The Auckland Gallery has moved - all of four doors along! We are still in Customs Street, but now right next door to the Mercure Hotel. Britomart offered us a lovely old space, almost twice the size of the previous one, and we leapt at the chance.

Those of you who remember our first Auckland popup in Old Sofrana House will immediately see why we were so excited. Old beams, rustic wooden floor, brick wall, ceiling a mass of complicated timber structures - it just felt like Alveridgea!

As we speak we are still tidying up, getting the lighting fine tuned and the space sorted. Come in and see us. Make suggestions. Let us know what you think. We will be posting photos shortly.

Also, more news coming on the launch of the novel. Estimated dates, pricing and so.