Surviving White Island and everything that came after by Kelsey Waghorn.
When New Zealand woke on 9 December 2019, no one knew a global pandemic was approaching – or that Whakaari White Island would erupt later that day. Tourists and young guides prepared for their trips as usual. Although the volcanic alert level had been at Level Two since mid November, it did not necessarily signal an imminent eruption. What followed was shocking, horrific and tragic. Kelsey Waghorn, a young but experienced Whakaari guide, was on the island when it erupted, along with coworkers and a boatload of visitors. Her book is an intimate, heartwrenching and ultimately hopeful account of that day and the long recovery that followed. Despite extensive media coverage at the time, I found much I didn’t know — details of her injuries, her grief, her setbacks, and the wider impact on survivors, families, and the community. The eruption was quickly followed by Covid19, adding another layer of upheaval to an already devastating period.
Kelsey’s story is told largely through text and message threads shared with her family, framed by a narrative that offers the “before” and the more recent “after.” This structure draws the reader directly into an experience few will ever face but many can learn from. It is both easy to read and incredibly hard to absorb.
I recommend it for the chance to encounter the resilience and courage of a remarkable young woman who lived through unimaginable trauma and chose to share her story with honesty and strength.
Available from your local bookshop.
