The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Tag: nz-fiction
Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant – Cristina Sanders
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS In 1866 a ship bound for London from Melbourne crashed into the Auckland Islands and sunk, taking with it many lives and an undetermined amount of gold, direct from the goldfields of Australia. Fourteen men and one woman made… Continue Reading “Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant – Cristina Sanders”
Kāwai: For Such A Time As This – Monty Soutar
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS In the opening pages a 19-year-old man walks onto his family Marae and asks the local koroua about his whanau’s history. The man’s answer is provided over the following 300-odd pages. He tells of Kaitanga, born 1734 into a… Continue Reading “Kāwai: For Such A Time As This – Monty Soutar”
Better The Blood – Michael Bennett
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS NZ Crime fiction. Detective Hana Westerman chases down a serial killer who is undertaking utu, avenging past atrocities against Māori. Offers insight into New Zealand’s often controversial justice system. ● At first I was surprised to hear a crime… Continue Reading “Better The Blood – Michael Bennett”
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”
Loop Tracks – Sue Orr
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS For a time in the late ’70s, abortion was illegal in New Zealand and young woman who could afford it would fly to Sydney for the procedure. Loop Tracks‘ story line is built around that moment in history. The… Continue Reading “Loop Tracks – Sue Orr”
Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS 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 woman who imprisons him in her cave in the mountains. Hatupatu… Continue Reading “Kurangaituku – Whiti Hereaka”
Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS 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 tribulations. Greta is a student/English tutor with a misguided crush on friend and… Continue Reading “Greta & Valdin – Rebecca K Reilly”
A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster
READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS Olga is an older woman who has taken on the role of carer to her friend Lara, Lara’s grieving daughter Sophie and Sophie’s child Michael. The family are extremely grateful for – what appears to be – her selfless… Continue Reading “A Good Winter – Gigi Fenster”
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