The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Kiwi lit
The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton
READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❖ “The Luminaries is a ghost story and murder mystery set in Hokitika, New Zealand. It is 832 pages and won the Booker Prize. “Its protagonist Walter Moody comes across 12 men having a secret meeting in the lounge of his hotel… Continue Reading “The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton”
Angel’s Cut – Elizabeth Knox
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy The sequel to The Vintner’s Luck in which the angel Xas settles in Hollywood 1929 and becomes involved in the seductive movie industry. © “Movie director Conrad Cole is working late on elaborate plans for his aeroplanes and… Continue Reading “Angel’s Cut – Elizabeth Knox”
The Parihaka Woman – Witi Ihimaera
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy A fictionalised account set amongst the atrocities that occurred in Parihaka, Taranaki during the 1870s The Parihaka Woman tells the story of Taranaki iwi who fought back against settlers and the confiscation of their lands with a programme of… Continue Reading “The Parihaka Woman – Witi Ihimaera”
Selected Poetry I
Theme: Favourite NZ poems Poems studied: Rain – Hone Tuwhare No Ordinary Sun – Hone Tuwhare Jerusalem Sonnet 1 – James K Baxter In A Minute – Anna Jackson Fantastic insight into these poems by Sophia. Everyone gravitated towards towards Rain, for some a… Continue Reading “Selected Poetry I”
Rangatira – Paula Morris
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy The fictionalised true story of Paratene Te Manu’s journey to London in 1863 to meet with English royalty and gentry © “Ngati Wai chief Paratene Te Manu is tupuna of Paula Morris (Ngati Wai). He was a warrior who… Continue Reading “Rangatira – Paula Morris”
Sons For The Return Home – Albert Wendt
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy A Samoan family migrates to Wellington in the 1960s, leaving the sons unsure to which culture or country they belong. ✔ “Sons for the Return Home is a love story set amongst a time and setting of racism.… Continue Reading “Sons For The Return Home – Albert Wendt”
Bliss & The Garden Party – Katherine Mansfield
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel Bliss tells the story of a dinner party where secrets abound. The Garden Party captures the story of an upper-middle class NZ family preparing for a garden party. ✔ “Considered Mansfield’s finest piece of short fiction, The Garden Party… Continue Reading “Bliss & The Garden Party – Katherine Mansfield”
Where We Once Belonged – Sia Figel
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy Where We Once Belonged is written in the traditional Su’ifefiloi style. Literally this means a woven garland of flowers. As a narrative technique, it refers to the stringing together of individual stories or fragments, told in different styles… Continue Reading “Where We Once Belonged – Sia Figel”
Novel About My Wife – Emily Perkins
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo The lives of a London couple unravel after the wife survives a train derailment and notices a man following her. ☁ “Novel About My Wife is the story of a couple’s complicated relationship from the husband’s perspective. It’s… Continue Reading “Novel About My Wife – Emily Perkins”
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