Bethell stands with RAK Mason at the beginnings of modern poetry in New Zealand. Born in England, she grew up in New Zealand but did not live there until the 1920's when at the age of fifty she began to write poetry. Her first collection of poems, 'From a Garden in the Antipodes', was published in 1929. Vincent O'Sullivan's introduction takes account of discoveries and insights from the last decade.
Bethell stands with RAK Mason at the beginnings of modern poetry in New Zealand. Born in England, she grew up in New Zealand but did not live there until the 1920's when at the age of fifty she began to write poetry. Her first collection of poems, 'From a Garden in the Antipodes', was published in 1929. Vincent O'Sullivan's introduction takes account of discoveries and insights from the last decade.