The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Literary fiction
This Mournable Body – Tsitsi Dangarembga
READ FOR BOOKERTHON This Mournable Body is the story of Tambudzai, a disillusioned native woman who has lived through the long and devastating guerrilla war between the white Rhodesian army and native black nationalists. Now in the 1990s, the nation has gained independence and… Continue Reading “This Mournable Body – Tsitsi Dangarembga”
The Shadow King – Maaza Mengiste
READ FOR BOOKERTHON Set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, The Shadow King portrays the first real conflict of World War II, casting light on the women soldiers who were left out of the historical record. ✚ “Early on in The Shadow King I… Continue Reading “The Shadow King – Maaza Mengiste”
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”
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