This is a thoroughly New Zealand story. Told in various voices this story explores the difficulties of growing up part Maori, part Pakeha and part Moriori. These three cultures were all in conflict with each other in the 1880's which is where part of the story is set. Then it jumps a few generations to the present where descendants of mixed race, Lula and Bigs, are trying to come to terms with the actions of their violent forefathers.
Some of the story takes place in New Zealand and some on the Chatham Islands.
It was very interesting to read of this part of history, I was unfamiliar with the invasion by Maori of the Chathams and of the consequent enslavement of the Moriori and their transferal to the mainland.
Makereti knows her stuff, and has an interesting style, which took me a bit to get used to, but in the end proved a very good vehicle for telling this story.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Perfect | Rachel Joyce
What a delight! I thoroughly enjoyed Joyce's "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and eagerly awaited her next story. "Perfect" is just as readable, with similar insights into characters and narrative.
This is a life-long story of two friends growing up in a semi rural setting in England. They are school friends but their families don't really mix. They seem to be wannabes, striving to reach a station in life slightly above what they can reach. Both families are cold towards their boys and this has a drastic effect on both Byron and James.
The story is told by Jim, as an adult, with flashbacks into their growing up years. There is quite a bit of tension in the narrative as we get the feeling that something tragic occurred which has separated these two friends.
Best not to say any more, it would spoil the plot! This story is well worth reading and I really enjoyed her ability to weave a credible, poignant story.
This is a life-long story of two friends growing up in a semi rural setting in England. They are school friends but their families don't really mix. They seem to be wannabes, striving to reach a station in life slightly above what they can reach. Both families are cold towards their boys and this has a drastic effect on both Byron and James.
The story is told by Jim, as an adult, with flashbacks into their growing up years. There is quite a bit of tension in the narrative as we get the feeling that something tragic occurred which has separated these two friends.
Best not to say any more, it would spoil the plot! This story is well worth reading and I really enjoyed her ability to weave a credible, poignant story.
The Day she Cradled me | Sacha de Bazin
This is the retelling of the events leading up to the hanging of Minnie Deans, the only woman in New Zealand history ever to be hanged.
It's the sort of story which is the thing of legend and lore in NZ but what do we really know about the events leading to her conviction? I was really intrigued by the research into the allegations of 'baby farming' in early New Zealand colonial life and after reading this book, based on Minnie's own writings, I'm not sure she was guilty of the alleged murders. Food for thought.
Well worth reading, and pondering on all the issues surrounding unwanted pregnancies, the death penalty and colonial life.
It's the sort of story which is the thing of legend and lore in NZ but what do we really know about the events leading to her conviction? I was really intrigued by the research into the allegations of 'baby farming' in early New Zealand colonial life and after reading this book, based on Minnie's own writings, I'm not sure she was guilty of the alleged murders. Food for thought.
Well worth reading, and pondering on all the issues surrounding unwanted pregnancies, the death penalty and colonial life.
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