Boxing Day Sale is live! Up to 20% off 2000+ Books

A State of Siege

3.71 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 119 ratings, 18 reviews)
Brief Description
Magical powers inhabit the land to which Malfred Signal retires β€” freed at last of her responsibilities to a dying mother and the generations of young ladies who have learned perfect drawing techniques in her classes. Her first night in the idyllic island retreat that is... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3699
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

A State of Siege

A retired art teacher is beset one stormy night by terrifying knocking at the door in this unforgettable psychological portrait from the author of The Edge of the Alphabet.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Magical powers inhabit the land to which Malfred Signal retires β€” freed at last of her responsibilities to a dying mother and the generations of young ladies who have learned perfect drawing techniques in her classes.

Her first night in the idyllic island retreat that is to be her new home is one of terror: a storm is raging, an intruder pounding on her door, and calls to the police, the priest and the doctor over her still-unconnected telephone bring no result.

This is the state of siege, painted in pigments of dark and light, the brush dipped in themes of selfhood and loneliness, of death and its counterpart, the need to survive, to live.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804271995

Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 November 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Chris Kraus

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 121.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Janet Frame (1924-2004) was a celebrated New Zealand author of novels, short stories, poetry and the three-volume autobiography An Angel at My Table that was adapted for cinema by Jane Campion. Janet Frame won numerous local and international literary prizes including the Commonwealth Prize for Best Book. She was an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and held two honorary doctorates. She was awarded a CBE in 1983 and in 1990 she was made a Member of the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest civil honour. Her work is in print around the world and has been translated into many languages.

Also by Janet Frame

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.