The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Coming of Age
The Book of Guilt – Catherine Chidgey
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChaired by Tessa Triplet orphans spend their life isolated in a special home cared for by Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night, learning about the world from The Book of Knowledge, having their dreams analysed in The Book of Dreams and… Continue Reading “The Book of Guilt – Catherine Chidgey”
Good Girl – Aria Aber
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZEA coming of age about Nila, a girl born in Berlin to Afghan immigrants. For Nila there is a constant negotiation between her inherited grief and her desire to belong in a culture that doesn’t reflect her. As a result she… Continue Reading “Good Girl – Aria Aber”
Her Side Of The Story – Alba De Cespedes
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel Alessandra Corteggiani recalls her youth and the lives of women during the rise of fascism in Italy, the resistance, and the fall of Mussolini. Originally published in 1949, it is a timeless portrayal of the complexity of the female… Continue Reading “Her Side Of The Story – Alba De Cespedes”
Amma – Saraid de Silva
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS The migrant story of three generations of women in a Sri Lankan family. Josephina, who grew up in 1950s Singapore and her daughter Sithara who move from Colombo to Invercargill, and granddaughter Annie who moves between many cities looking… Continue Reading “Amma – Saraid de Silva”
Poorhara – Michelle Rahurahu
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Written by Michelle Rahurahu (Ngāti Rahurahu, Ngāti Tahu, Ngāti Whaoa) Poorhara uses a play on the word Pōhara (poverty), and is about living without – without money or possessions, and without the same rights and respect as others. The plot… Continue Reading “Poorhara – Michelle Rahurahu”
All That We Know – Shilo Kino
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Māreikura is analysing her identity and begins a programme of “decolonisation”. Via her outspoken and inquisitive nature she leads us through a witty, poignant and accidental exploration of the effects of colonisation, which, the book explains, was not a… Continue Reading “All That We Know – Shilo Kino”
The Granddaughter – Bernhard Schlink
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel A study of Germany’s reunification via a collection of people who all represent a different faction or ideology. Kaspar is a West German bookseller whose wife dies. He discovers and tracks down newly discovered family members and attempts to… Continue Reading “The Granddaughter – Bernhard Schlink”
The Whalebone Theatre – Joanna Quinn
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jodie The story of Cristabel Seagrave from orphaned girl to WWIII spy. It is told in five acts, each portraying a different slice of her life and the stories of all the people in it. One Act is about the… Continue Reading “The Whalebone Theatre – Joanna Quinn”
Brotherless Night – V V Ganeshananthan
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Sashi is a 16-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil with aspirations to be a doctor. Even when civil unrest ensues and her four brothers are caught up in the violence, Sashi still finds a way to help people, at great risk to… Continue Reading “Brotherless Night – V V Ganeshananthan”
River East, River West – Aube Rey Lescure
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Alva is a 14-year-old half Chinese, half American girl with a secretive mother. They live in Shanghai but Alva dreams of a better life in the US. A coming of age, social drama about the impact of western emigration to… Continue Reading “River East, River West – Aube Rey Lescure”
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