Allen & Unwin Award
for Best Commercial Book for Adults 2021 Finalist
Designer: Kate Barraclough, Kate Frances Design
Title: Husna’s Story: My wife, the Christchurch massacre & my journey to forgiveness
Publisher: Allen & Unwin New Zealand
Format: 234 x 153mm, 230pp, perfect bound.
Typography: Adobe Caslon Pro, Size: 12, Leading: 16pt
The cover design weaves in one of the few photos of Husna, Farid and their daughter with a graphic image inspired by the beautiful fabrics from Husna’s wedding day (this photo is included in the picture section). The designer then used fragments from this image as elements at the start of each chapter. The fonts and the layout of the internals reflect the need for this book to be an easy read for those for whom English is not their first language as well as incorporating some quotes from the Quran. The design shows great sensitivity and respect for the subject matter of this book – the deeply tragic loss of this wonderful person and her husband’s extraordinary message of forgiveness.
Judges’ comments This is Husna’s close-up and personal experience of the massacre in Christchurch in 2019. Universal big-text type size is used to help readers for whom English is not their first language. The cover illustration is reutilised/broken up to illustrate individual chapter openers. There is a nice touch with quotes from the Quran.
