Kiwi's way
A MODERN DAY FABLE
You have to admit that until now you’ve been but a pawn in somebody else’s game. Only then can you clear your mind enough of all the nonsense you’ve been conditioned to believe in. Only then can you see and feel which paths stretching out before you are the right ones for you. They may not be the same for me, but you have to learn to accept that. Then you will begin to be truly free my little black fruity friend.
Somewhere between Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Animal Farm and The Art Of Racing In The Rain, KIWI’S WAY is a modern day philosophical fable in short novel format. It confronts the reader to the dilemmas that are at the core of our world’s conflicts today: Faith vs. Freedom, Conviction vs. Tolerance, Tradition vs. Evolution. These themes are addressed with humour through the eyes of a one year old, self-centered black kitten and a collection of animal outcasts. Like The Little Prince, this book was created with illustrations at the head of each of the 41 chapters to help the reader see the world through Kiwi’s eyes as she struggles to come to terms with her existence and find the inner peace she so desperately yearns for. The novel incorporates a dozen QR codes so that the readers can listen to the songs that either inspired or illustrate certain chapters, to plunge you even further into Kiwi’s magical world. You will find an exclusive, free streaming playlist further down on this website.
For those of you who are wondering wether this tale is for you: The target audience for this book is the child that lays dormant inside every adult… so, to quote the boys from Aerosmith : DREAM ON !
Author
Lawrence Collins
Lawrence Collins is an American-Egyptian singer songwriter, brought up in France, England, India and the United States. Son of the late best-selling author Larry Collins (Is Paris Burning, O Jerusalem !, Freedom at Midnight, The Fifth Horseman…), he grew up in the world of books, with a particular passion for historical, philosophical, and fantasy novels.
Driven by his love of languages, culture, and travel, Lawrence has always instinctively shunned away from any form of imposed constraints and pre-established frontiers.
His first novel, KIWI’S WAY, reflects this personal philosophy by incorporating visual, textual, and audio elements to help the reader plunge into Kiwi’s magical universe by stimulating a maximum of senses. It is a conscious process to jostle established industry norms. He lives in Bordeaux, France, with his daughter Minya and their two cats, Kiwi & Câline.
Audrey Roué
Graphics designer, artistic director and illustrator, Audrey Roué works mainly for the fashion industry and young children’s books.
She has lived and worked in Paris, Scotland and Australia. She now lives with her family in Marseille, France, where she paints and sketches in her art studio by the sea. This studio was the birthplace of Kiwi’s illustrations.
« What a present Lawrence gave me! I was immediately seduced by the gentleness, the humor, and the wisdom of this wonderful fable. I fell in love with each one of the characters, and let Lawrence’s words guide my pencils to give life to this group of wacky Misfits.” »
Véro Monjo
Véro Monjo spent over 15 years in various english speaking countries and developed a passion for their language, varied cultures, and literature. After her long trip around the world, she decided to make English her profession and began work as a translator and interpreter on her home island of Corsica.
« Kiwi’s adventures profoundly seduced me and forced me into a style of writing so different form the professional business world of contracts, promotion and production reports I was used to. A true pleasure coupled with a major challenge. Thank you to Lawrence and Kiwi for their faith in me in letting me share this magical adventure with them ! »
Illustrations
Musics
Alexandra Lapierre
Auteure de Fanny Stevenson, d'Artemesia et de Belle Greene aux Editions Flammarion.
Qui d'entre nous n'a rêvé de trouver le même plaisir que nos enfants en leur lisant un livre, ou en lisant le même livre en même temps qu'eux ? Ce fut la joie de toutes les générations devant Harry Potter. C'est le miracle de Kiwi !
Gerry Hadden
Author and Journalist for the BBC, The World & NPR
With Kiwi’s Way, Lawrence Collins has managed to bring us a fantastic adventure, wrought with lessons about right and wrong, impermanence and forgiveness - without getting preachy or pounding the reader with tedious moralizing. Kiwi is a loveable character - she managed to win over even this die-hard dog lover !