The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Literary fiction
2020 NZ Book Awards
Internationality, borders and sentimentality over the comforts of home have been under the microscope lately with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. When disaster strikes it’s in one’s nature to analyse what home really means, what it comprises and the emotions it stirs up.… Continue Reading “2020 NZ Book Awards”
Halibut On The Moon – David Vann
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A suicidal man visits his family in California before deciding his fate. ✚ “My previous experience of David Vann was of the book Goat Mountain, which both freaked me out and captivated me. I wanted to recommend it to… Continue Reading “Halibut On The Moon – David Vann”
Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo A romantic, 1960s coming-of-age story recaptures a young man’s first, hopeless, and heroic love. ✚ “Norwegian Wood is the book that made Haruki Murakami famous. Which some would say is surprising considering it is a move away from… Continue Reading “Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami”
2020 – Narrative direction
A novel must contain many things to hold the reader’s attention: compelling plot, relatable characters and distinct settings. But another, sometimes underrated, feature is narrative direction. It can be overstated for purpose, or discreet so as not to be obtrusive, but narration is usually… Continue Reading “2020 – Narrative direction”
2019 – End Of Year Thoughts
Overcoming adversity is an effective literary theme, creating controversy and hope and edge-of-your-seat dynamics. It is also an apt reflection of the real world. Looking back over our reading list in 2019, it’s easy to see how overcoming adversity dominated the featured titles. From… Continue Reading “2019 – End Of Year Thoughts”
2019 Bookerthon
Wow, what a year! The books on the (now named Booker Prize, without the Man) shortlist this year are gigantic, in every expression of the word. There are books of many pages, books written by literary giants, books that deal with the huge topics… Continue Reading “2019 Bookerthon”
Ducks, Newburyport – Lucy Ellmann
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Written in stream of consciousness style, an Ohio housewife worries about the state of the world ⚑ “the fact that Lucy Ellmann has written an absolutely remarkable novel with what will be perceived by some as an entirely unremarkable protagonist, the fact… Continue Reading “Ducks, Newburyport – Lucy Ellmann”
Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo
READ FOR BOOKERTHON A story of modern Britain and black womanhood told through the eyes of 12 different women ⚑ “This is a beautifully paced novel which at first I thought was a collection of separate stories. However the links and interwoven threads soon… Continue Reading “Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo”
Quichotte – Salman Rushdie
READ FOR BOOKERTHON A modern re-write of Don Quixote that broaches traditional elements as well as the current state of the world. ⚑ “Confession time: I have not read Don Quixote. While I know the premise I don’t know its intricates nor how cleverly… Continue Reading “Quichotte – Salman Rushdie”
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