The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Tag: NZ Book Awards
2023 – NZ Book Awards
What is the job of fiction? To entertain? To educate? To document? To insert the reader into an unexpected place or mindset so they can see the world through another lens? The authors on this year’s shortlist took their roles to the next level,… Continue Reading “2023 – NZ Book Awards”
Better The Blood – Michael Bennett
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS ● At first I was surprised to hear a crime story had secured a place on the shortlist over literary greats like Lloyd Jones and Vincent O’Sullivan. But who’s to say genre fiction doesn’t deserve a place on literary… Continue Reading “Better The Blood – Michael Bennett”
The Axeman’s Carnival – Catherine Chidgey
READ FOR BOOKCLUB & NZ BOOK AWARDS Chosen 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,… Continue Reading “The Axeman’s Carnival – Catherine Chidgey”
2022 NZ Book Awards
Identity comes through as a strong building block for all the fiction shortlisters this year. Misunderstanding of identity, attempts to place ones self in the realms of “normality”, studies of those with identity issues. Not only is this topical but important for writers to… Continue Reading “2022 NZ Book Awards”
Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A contemporary retelling of traditional Māori folklore. ❝ 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… Continue Reading “Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka”
Entanglement – Bryan Walpert
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS A time traveller attempts to return to the right point of his past to correct a mistake ❝Time and perspective are indeed entangled in this novel. Paul’s actions and recollections are scattered throughout the book, reported in three different… Continue Reading “Entanglement – Bryan Walpert”
Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Gay, Maori/Russian siblings seek love, life and understanding from the contemporary world ❝ 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… Continue Reading “Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly”
A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Olga becomes obsessed with a friend’s family under the guise of helping out during a crisis ❝ Olga is an older woman who has taken on the role of carer to her friend Lara, Lara’s grieving daughter Sophie and… Continue Reading “A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster”
From The Centre: A Writer’s Life – Patricia Grace
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS The memoir of writer Patricia Grace ❝Patricia Grace is a stalwart of New Zealand literature and someone whose work I have read a lot of and deeply admired. So her memoir was always going to be a hit for… Continue Reading “From The Centre: A Writer’s Life – Patricia Grace”
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