The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Kiwi lit
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”
Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Greta and Valdin are brother and sister, both gay, with mixed heritages and living together in Auckland attempting to navigate life and all its triumphs and tribulations. Greta is a student/English tutor with a misguided crush on friend and… Continue Reading “Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly”
The Matriarch – Witi Ihimaera
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo Tama Mahana is a grown man analysing the mystique and ambition of his grandmother, the matriarch of his family. But to truely appreciate the paths she has taken, he must study Māori mythology and New Zealand history. Tama is… Continue Reading “The Matriarch – Witi Ihimaera”
A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Olga is an older woman who has taken on the role of carer to her friend Lara, Lara’s grieving daughter Sophie and Sophie’s child Michael. The family are extremely grateful for – what appears to be – her selfless… Continue Reading “A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster”
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