Mountain guide turns philosopher in book of letters to teen cancer sufferer
Former mountain guide and first-time author Bryan Carter has released a book of letters originally written to a teenage
family friend suffering from cancer.
“Letters to Gemma” is a series of letters posted from Aoraki Mount Cook to Gemma during her treatment for a serious and
rare form of cancer in Christchurch. The letters started in 2010 when Gemma Hart-Hobman was 12 years old.
Critical response to “Letters to Gemma” has been enthusiastic. Reviewer for “The Listener” Christopher Moore said that
the book “fuses the wise, witty and profoundly human into something memorable” and that “these letters should also live
on as a remarkable testament to the power of friendship and curiosity.”
“The original intention of the letters was to distract Gemma from the hardship of her treatment,” says Bryan. “I hoped
they would provide some amusement and some learning. Gemma survived and is now 16 years old and the time seemed right to
see if the letters would appeal to a wider audience of readers.”
Gemma’s family met Bryan and his wife Bu when both families were living in Aoraki Mount Cook. Bryan spent most of his
life as a mountain guide there. He began his guiding career at 18 years old and went on to manage and then own New
Zealand’s most successful guiding company, Alpine Guides. Bu is a school principal and ran the small school at Aoraki
Mount Cook for more than 20 years.
“The letters helped me to continue to view the world in a way that wasn’t filtered through the lens of cancer,” says
Gemma. “They also helped me to explore new ideas.”
The letters and the funny, thought-provoking cartoons, photos and illustrations that accompany them, cover a wide range
of topics including religion, advertising and economics.
“I hope that teens and adults enjoy “Letters to Gemma”, says Bryan. “I hope it makes people laugh, think, talk to each
other, debate a bit and Google the name of at least one Greek philosopher.”
For more information and to order the book go to http://www.bryancarter.co.nz/ or Wheelers books. “Letters to Gemma” is also available at Scorpio Books in Christchurch and from other selected bookshops.
ENDS