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  • Published: 2 August 2013
  • ISBN: 9781869415662
  • Imprint: RHNZ Vintage
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $29.99

Frederick's Coat




From the author of the best-selling Once Were Warriors, a powerful story of love between father and son, of contrasting ways of looking at the world and of revenge.

From the author of the best-selling Once Were Warriors, a powerful story of love between father and son, of contrasting ways of looking at the world and of revenge.

When Johno comes out of prison, he resolves never to go back again. But his new life is not easy, especially as he soon finds himself in sole charge of his strange young son, Danny. Danny isn't the kind of son he would have chosen, but, in caring for the boy, Johno finds new meaning and new direction.

But what do you do when the world you've so carefully built comes crashing down? Can you ever escape your past?

This is a return to the world of criminals and violence that Alan has written about so effectively in the past, but it is also a touching exploration of the relationship between father and son.

  • Published: 2 August 2013
  • ISBN: 9781869415662
  • Imprint: RHNZ Vintage
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $29.99

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Praise for Frederick's Coat

Frederick's Coat is a novel about sin, redemption and revenge and Duff brings a lot of power to it. . . .Johno has to make a decision to live or die, to surface or sink, to accept or to deny. And that's the great trademark of Duff's writing - the moral calls that must be made.

Quentin Johnson, Weekend Press, Christchurch

Violence is an integral part of the tale, but there is a commendable restraint that gives the writing all the more power. All-in-all, Frederick's Coat is an impressive return to form.

John McCrystal, Weekend Herald

Does Frederick's Coat work? Mostly. It's certainly a page-turner. I read it within two days of getting it. I wasn't entirely convinced by the relatively brief account of the process of Danny's downfall, butJohno, Danny and Frederick come across as fairly full, convincing characters and the message that, with extreme discipline, some people at least can escape their backgrounds is uplifting.

Gavin McLean, Otago Daily Times

This is a superb novel. It deals with the real questions in life. If Duffy ever went away, this novel proves he is back.

Dorothy Alexander, Manawatu Standard

It would make a gripping movie, so compelling are the characters. I loved Frederick’s Coat – here’s the softer side of Alan Duff. . . . The book is well edited, never drags and the ending is explosive.

Jan Treliving-Brown, Daily News, New Plymouth Taranaki

unique and sensitive book in style and subject matter . . . terrific writing and great characters

Judges report, Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel

Awards & recognition

Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel

Finalist  •  2014  •  Ngai Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel