The Valley

‘The Valley is an extraordinary psychodrama, untangling the justice system from its impacts on the people who witness it, work within it and are subject to it. Asher Emanuel has made a nationally important contribution to literary reportage, policy analysis and our collective understanding of class society.’
Morgan Godfery

‘This is a once-in-a-generation contribution to New Zealand writing about justice, class and wider society. The Valley combines meticulous reporting and deep thinking on the daily grind of the justice system. The result is a monumental book of stories that will stay with you long after you put it down.’
Max Harris

‘This is journalism at its finest - immersive, meticulous, honest and brave. Asher Emanuel brings the messy, gritty, unfair, uneven, imprecise human reality of the criminal justice system into the light. A unique and important new book for Aotearoa New Zealand.’
Rebecca Macfie

‘The public’s understanding of the criminal justice system is largely shaped by the media, which repeatedly amplifies the voices of politicians and the police. This book cuts through that distorted narrative by giving voice to those on the system’s frontlines.’
Aaron Smale

Asher Emanuel is a writer and lawyer based in Wellington. He has worked in various legal and investigative roles, and his writing on justice and policy issues has been published in mainstream and specialist publications.

The Valley is his first book. Asher now works as a legal aid lawyer focusing on public law and human rights cases. He grew up in Auckland before moving to Wellington, where he studied law and English literature.

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