“From Place to Place, from Time to Time”, Marie Curran
Published by Mary Egan Publishing
November 2026
Paperback, 280 Pages, RRP $45.00
Over 200 colour photographs throughout
ISBN: 978-1-991436-09-2
Had Marie Curran known that her first European road trip in 1973 would involve being held up at gunpoint in communist Czechoslovakia, she might never have gone anywhere. That would have been a pity.
The young Kiwi sets off with John, a fellow student, on a journey that changes the course of both their lives. They survive Czechoslovakia, fall in love, and marry. Over the next five decades, Europe keeps calling them back.
From Place to Place, from Time to Time is a carefully curated collection of 34 absorbing travel tales that chronicle various adventures in 18 different countries during a particularly interesting period of modern European history.
The author writes with wry humour and a keen sense of the absurd about the highs and lows of travelling around Europe. Places come alive through encounters with memorable people, present-day and historical. Supportive strangers, engaging eccentrics and the odd rogue appear in perceptive stories inspired equally by culturally noteworthy and quirkily trivial experiences.
Liberally illustrated with evocative photos, this entertaining memoir brings a fresh Kiwi perspective to what we can learn about ourselves and our place in the world while exploring different cultures. A must-read for anyone dreaming of visiting or revisiting Europe.
About the Author
Marie Curran was born in Invercargill and raised on a sheep farm in nearby Makarewa. Her father’s involvement with the international amateur radio community sparked a lifelong interest in other cultures and languages.
She studied languages at the University of Otago, graduating with a BA (Hons) in German before gaining a secondary teaching diploma from Christchurch Teachers College.
Marie was subsequently awarded a DAAD scholarship for postgraduate study in Germany, making the most of opportunities to improve her language skills and explore Europe.
On her return to New Zealand, Marie resumed teaching in Nelson. She later taught in Auckland before she and her husband returned to Dunedin, where they have been based since 1976. She taught at local colleges until 2000, before retraining and working as an education evaluator until retirement.
Over the last five decades, Marie has found ways to combine family and professional responsibilities with regular, extensive travel in Europe. Her interest in writing about her experiences there has led to articles being published in various newspapers and journals over the years. Her travel memoir, From Place to Place, from Time to Time, chronicles some highlights from these European adventures.
Nowadays, Marie and her husband holiday closer to home, spending time whenever possible with family and friends in Arrowtown.
Marie Curran is available for interview. Extracts and images are available on request.
Kate Gordon-Smith
Relish Communications
kate@relishcommunications.co.nz
021 587 227