The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Literary fiction
Victory Park – Rachel Kerr
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Kara is a young widow, living in the Victory Park council flats with her young son Jayden. She makes a living by minding other people’s tamariki in her home but struggles to get by financially and emotionally. Her new… Continue Reading “Victory Park – Rachel Kerr”
The Swimmers – Chloe Lane
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Twenty six year old Erin is at the bach visiting her mum who has motor neurone disease, only to be informed her mother wishes to take her death into her own hands. Erin has walked away from a job… Continue Reading “The Swimmers – Chloe Lane”
Toto Amongst The Murderers – Sally J Morgan
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS ● In the 1970s, at age 21, Sally J Morgan was hitchhiking in Yorkshire and was offered a lift by Fred and Rosemary West. This close call inspired her novel Toto Amongst The Murderers, in which the protagonist, Toto, is… Continue Reading “Toto Amongst The Murderers – Sally J Morgan”
The Harpy – Megan Hunter
Chosen by Rachel A wife is permitted to hurt her husband three times after his affair is discovered. ⫸ “In Greek mythology a harpy is a half bird-half woman. As a bird of prey it has wide wings and sharp talons, yet the face… Continue Reading “The Harpy – Megan Hunter”
Bina: A Novel In Warnings – Anakana Schofield
READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo A disillusioned woman in her 70s writes on the back of envelopes about her life, dedicating her story to all the women who have had enough. ⫸ “Anakana Schofield was quoted as saying literature does not exist only to… Continue Reading “Bina: A Novel In Warnings – Anakana Schofield”
The Secret History – Donna Tartt
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie A group of Greek mythology students attempt to experience a higher level of being and in doing so carry out an evil act. ⫸ “There were many reasons why the The Secret History was such a hit with… Continue Reading “The Secret History – Donna Tartt”
2021 – Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements ensure influences to the creation of a notable thing are credited. For creative imaginations are enabled and influenced by many things: people, places and events. When book reading, it is interesting to discover where the author found inspiration. In setting our new reading… Continue Reading “2021 – Acknowledgements”
2020 – End Of Year Thoughts
At our end of year bookclub we dined at the Boat Shed Cafe in Nelson and acknowledged how lucky we were to be able to do so. While we recalled our bookclubs hosted by Zoom and philosophised about the state of… Continue Reading “2020 – End Of Year Thoughts”
2020 Booker
It’s an understatement to say 2020 is a bit of a strange year! Covid-19 and the resulting politics around controlling it both unites and divides us. While some people reach out to neighbours, colleagues, families for support, some feel their ‘otherness’ and loneliness more distinctly than ever. It is a… Continue Reading “2020 Booker”
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