The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Kiwi lit
Better The Blood – Michael Bennett
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS NZ Crime fiction. Detective Hana Westerman chases down a serial killer who is undertaking utu, avenging past atrocities against Māori. Offers insight into New Zealand’s often controversial justice system. ● At first I was surprised to hear a crime… Continue Reading “Better The Blood – Michael Bennett”
Down From Upland – Murdoch Stevens
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Set in Wellington, down from Upland Road in Kelburn, this book is a satirical tale about the complexities of growing up, when you’re a teenager and when you’re in your 40s. Axle has joined a new school. He is… Continue Reading “Down From Upland – Murdoch Stevens”
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”
How To Loiter In A Turf War – Coco Solid
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A day in the life of three brown friends hanging out in Auckland, eating, chatting, catching the bus, amongst racism, gentrification and the modern effects of colonisation. That’s the third person I know without a house.What the hell is… Continue Reading “How To Loiter In A Turf War – Coco Solid”
The Axeman’s Carnival – Catherine Chidgey
READ FOR BOOKCLUB & NZ BOOK AWARDSChosen by Suzy From New Zealand author Catherine Chidgey is a story quite unlike her former novels. Instead of wartime Germany, this time the setting is rural New Zealand and the protagonist is a magpie called Tama, who… Continue Reading “The Axeman’s Carnival – Catherine Chidgey”
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 Halfmen of O – Maurice Gee
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Suzy New Zealand Children’s Fiction. Nick Quinn goes to spend a couple of weeks on his uncle’s farm at Lodestone Creek. However his cousin Susan is spirited off down a disused mineshaft into the world of O and taken prisoner… Continue Reading “The Halfmen of O – Maurice Gee”
Loop Tracks – Sue Orr
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS For a time in the late ’70s, abortion was illegal in New Zealand and young woman who could afford it would fly to Sydney for the procedure. Loop Tracks‘ story line is built around that moment in history. The… Continue Reading “Loop Tracks – Sue Orr”
Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Kurangaituku is the story of Hatupatu told from the perspective of Kurangaituku, the bird woman. The traditional story is told from the view of Hatupatu. He is out hunting and is captured by the bird woman who imprisons him in her cave in the mountains. Hatupatu… Continue Reading “Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka”
Entanglement – Bryan Walpert
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Time and perspective are entangled in this novel, in which a time traveller attempts to return to the right point of his past to correct a mistake. Paul’s actions and recollections are scattered throughout the book, reported in three… Continue Reading “Entanglement – Bryan Walpert”
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