Shelter: A Novel

by Douglas Lloyd Jenkins

When twenty-one-year-old builder Joe Wright meets Leo, he falls in love hard, and seemingly for ever. Mature, philosophical and intensely handsome, Leo teaches Joe an appreciation of music and literature, and, most importantly, a passion for the beautiful old buildings that are disappearing from Auckland’s central city. But when Leo suddenly vanishes from his life, then drifts back again years later, Joe – now a powerful developer of heritage architecture – is unable to move on from this first affair. As the years pass, and Leo stays just out of reach, can Joe open his eyes to new possibilities? An intense love story and a love song to a city’s vanishing past, Shelter depicts the myriad complexities of male relationships, the possibilities offered by chance encounters and the exquisite beauty of friendship – and a home – found in unexpected places.

Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

Douglas Lloyd Jenkins is one of New Zealand's best known commentators and writers on New Zealand’s design history and has been described by Wallpaper magazine as 'one of the most influential design writers in the Southern Hemisphere'. He has previously had columns in the New Zealand Herald and New Zealand Listener and still contributes regularly to the New Zealand Listener and HOME magazine.
His landmark book At Home: A Century of New Zealand Design was the Montana Book Awards Non-Fiction Winner in 2004 and The Dress Circle: New Zealand Fashion Design since 1940, which he co-authored with Lucy Hammonds and Claire Regnault, was shortlisted for the same prize in 2011. Other books he has written include 40 Legends of New Zealand Design and New Dreamland.
In 2008 Douglas was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to architecture and design, and in 2009 the New Zealand Institute of Architects awarded him the President’s Award for his contribution to architecture in this country.

Douglas lives in Auckland and is a full-time author, blogger and curator of exhibitions on subjects ranging from architecture to contemporary masculinity.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book that reminds me of "A Little Life" without the tears.

The romantic in me struggled with the ending, but overall a good read.

[Sophie Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising lovely read! Some descriptions of buildings for longer than I’d prefer (mainly because I cannot conceptualise it) but that was to be expected given the premise of the novel

[Andrew Chidzey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a moving account that charts themes of friendship, love and challenges over a thirty year period in Auckland. A talented story with prose similar to that of André Aciman…a great read.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the backdrop of Auckland's obsession with property and willingness to destroy its architectural heritage, Shelter is the love story of Joe and Leo. Or more accurately, it is the story of Joe's love for Leo. The story takes us from a building site in the early 1990s to the modern era of high intensity development - a time where it was still hard to be out as a gay man to the Hero parade of the 2000s.
There is a tendency for New Zealand writers to force the New Zealand-ness of their works but I didn't get this in Shelter. Kudos to Jenkins for including references to "monolithic cladding" knowing that local readers will understand the reference without it needing to be explained. My only gripe (a small one) was that at times it felt like there were two stories - that of the subterfuge of the property development world and the love story. Nevertheless, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Emily Abuhajleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart is so full. I didn’t think it would end that way but now I can’t see if any other way. My heart breaks for but is also mended by Joe’s journey and lessons. What a lovely group of friends to support someone like that. Ugh my heart

[Soph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strange and unexpected novel about being gay in 1990s Auckland, the chaos of love, the intentions of the universe, and the beauty of architecture.

[anqi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Childish characters. No one actually wants them together. A badly made soup of the author's interests.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a lovely story.