The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: NZ Book Awards
This Mortal Boy – Fiona Kidman
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS The re-creation of one of the last executions in New Zealand leading to the abolition of capital punishment. ⚑ “Poor Albert Black. I appreciated the way this novel explored the impact on everyone involved in his trial and sentencing… Continue Reading “This Mortal Boy – Fiona Kidman”
2018 NZ Book Awards
Social commentary is a traditional feature of literature, but with Millennials coming of age, outspoken hypothesising on the state of the world looks to become a staple of modern story telling. This year’s Ockham’s shortlist highlights this. A solipsistic tale of youth and immediacy, an immigrant’s… Continue Reading “2018 NZ Book Awards”
Salt Picnic – Patrick Evans
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Mimicking Janet Frame’s travels, a young woman arrives on the island of Ibiza in 1956 and falls into a relationship with an American photographer. ➽ “Patrick Evans is an accomplished writer and obviously has a lot of intelligent thoughts swirling around… Continue Reading “Salt Picnic – Patrick Evans”
The New Animals – Pip Adam
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Current and last generation fashion designers compete for fame on the streets of Auckland. ➽ “Ugh this book made me hate myself quite frankly, but once I moved past my self-loathing I was able to enjoy it in all… Continue Reading “The New Animals – Pip Adam”
Baby – Annaleese Jochems
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS In this debut novel, young lovers run away, stealing money to buy a boat but inciting disaster wherever they turn. ➽ “I think we are all capable of horrible acts, depending on circumstances and surely we all sometimes wonder… Continue Reading “Baby – Annaleese Jochems”
Sodden Downstream – Brannavan Gnanalingam
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A refugee walks through a Wellington storm to get to work but must rely on the kindness of strangers to get there. ➽ “A journey or expedition is a staple in fictional themes, however here this is turned on… Continue Reading “Sodden Downstream – Brannavan Gnanalingam”
The Hut Builder – Laurence Fearnley
READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo Set in NZ’s deep south, a man at sorts with life finds himself on a mountain with Sir Ed Hillary. 2011 NZ Book Awards winner. ◉ “Getting to know Boden Black is a slow process – he turns… Continue Reading “The Hut Builder – Laurence Fearnley”
2017 NZ Book Awards
Three of the shortlisted fiction books could take out the Ockham’s top prize in 2017. (Wish there’d been time to read shortlisters from the other categories too, but alas.) With literary giants like Stead and Marshall at the helm of this section and powerhouse Chidgey snapping at their… Continue Reading “2017 NZ Book Awards”
The Wish Child – Catherine Chidgey
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Two children watch as their parents become immersed in the puzzling mechanisms of power in 1939 Germany. ◉ “Personally, I love human stories set during the war. But sometimes you feel like you’re reading the same stuff over and… Continue Reading “The Wish Child – Catherine Chidgey”
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