Jennifer Lynette Pattrick (née Priestley, born 1936) is a New Zealand novelist, known primarily for her historical fiction. Her first novel, '' The Denniston Rose'' (2003) and its sequel ''Heart of Coal'' (2004) became two of New Zealand's best-selling novels. She has published nine novels, and also writes and publishes songbooks for children. ''The Denniston Rose'' has been optioned by Bohemia Group Originals. Pattrick is a graduate of the

International Institute of Modern Letters The International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML; ) is a centre of creative writing based within Victoria University of Wellington. Founded in 2001, the IIML offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses (including a PhD in creative writing) ...

. In 2009, she was awarded the

Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship The Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, formerly known as the New Zealand Post Katherine Mansfield Prize and the Meridian Energy Katherine Mansfield Memorial Fellowship, is one of New Zealand's foremost literary awards. Named after Katherine ...

, during which she wrote her sixth novel ''Inheritance'' (2010). She was appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

, for services to the arts, in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours. Pattrick's novels are often set in New Zealand locations. ''The Denniston Rose'' and ''Heart of Coal'' centre on coalmining communities on the Denniston plateau from the late 1800s to early 1900s. ''Landings'' (2008) is about the

Whanganui River The Whanganui River is a major river in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the country's third-longest river, and has special status owing to its importance to the region's Māori people. In March 2017 it became the world's second natur ...

at the turn of the twentieth century. ''Heartland'' (2014) is set in a fictional town based on the Central Plateau settlement of

Rangataua Rangataua is a small village in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of both the Tongariro National Park and Rangataua State Forest, adjacent to the southwestern slopes of the active volcano Mount Ruapehu. Part of ...

. Pattrick was a jeweller for 35 years and has had pieces gifted to overseas dignitaries by the New Zealand government.

Works

*''The Denniston Rose'' (Penguin, 2003) *''Heart of Coal'' (Penguin, 2004) *''Catching the Current'' (Black Swan, 2005) *''In Touch with Grace'' (2006) *''Landings'' (Black Swan, 2008) *''Grace Notes'' (2009) *''Inheritance'' (Black Swan, 2010) *''Skylark'' (2012) *''Heartland'' (2014) *''Leap of Faith'' (Penguin, 2017) *''Harbouring'' (Penguin, 2022) *''Sea Change'' (Bateman, 2024)

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pattrick, Jenny 1936 births Living people 21st-century New Zealand novelists New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire New Zealand jewellers New Zealand women jewellers International Institute of Modern Letters alumni People educated at Wellington Girls' College