The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Family drama
The Bee Sting – Paul Murray
READ FOR BOOKERTHON An Irish family saga based around Dickie Barnes, his failing auto dealership and his wife and children who are each dealing with huge issues of their own. A 600+ page drama that investigates each character’s plight indepthly. ● I didn’t connect… Continue Reading “The Bee Sting – Paul Murray”
If I Survive You – Jonathan Escoffery
READ FOR BOOKERTHON A series of linked stories about a Jamaican family in Miami, centered around younger son Trelawny and his determination to survive racism, financial woes and Hurricane Andrew. ● I am privileged in that I have generally always had a pretty strong sense… Continue Reading “If I Survive You – Jonathan Escoffery”
Sorrow And Bliss – Meg Mason
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo Martha has an undiagnosed mental health issue, a loving husband who says she is fine and a family who fall outside of the norms. In this book Martha examines her upbringing and her failing marriage through the lens of… Continue Reading “Sorrow And Bliss – Meg Mason”
Fire Rush – Jacqueline Crooks
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Yamaye is a young Jamaican woman living in 1980s London. She dances at an underground dub reggae club and suffers daily from her lack of familial ties. Like her friends she does her best to avoid the harassment of Babylon… Continue Reading “Fire Rush – Jacqueline Crooks”
The Marriage Portrait – Maggie O’Farrell
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE ● The Marriage Portrait begins as such: In 1560, fifteen-year-old Lucrezia di Cosimo de Medici left Florence to begin her married life with Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara. Less than a year later, she would be dead. The official cause… Continue Reading “The Marriage Portrait – Maggie O’Farrell”
The Fish – Lloyd Jones
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS 2023 A baby is born to a young, single mother in a caravan park, suffering from an unnamed condition which earns him the name the Fish. The story of the Fish, and the family’s shame and secrets are narrated… Continue Reading “The Fish – Lloyd Jones”
Potiki – Patricia Grace
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Suzy Potiki tells the story of land developers who have their eye on coastal Māori land for commercial development with no understanding of the community’s needs or of their strong connection to the land. Grace (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te… Continue Reading “Potiki – Patricia Grace”
The Color Purple – Alice Walker
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo The lives of two African-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia in the early to mid 20th Century are detailed in The Color Purple. Celie is raped by her stepfather and bears two children to him who are sent… Continue Reading “The Color Purple – Alice Walker”
Oh William! – Elizabeth Strout
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Writer Lucy Barton is asked by her ex-husband William to join him on a journey to investigate a recently uncovered family secret. A story about Lucy and William’s ever changing relationship as much as it is about the family secret. Set… Continue Reading “Oh William! – Elizabeth Strout”
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