Monthly Archives: November 2014

The water race by D. Bradley – 2011

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

The Water Race is a classic tale of conflict and resolution set in a small New Zealand coastal village and wonderfully told in the Kiwi vernacular. In the village there are many conflicting projects and beliefs that are all in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Leave a comment

Rangatira by Paula Morris – 2011

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

Rangatira is a lovely book – the story of Paratene Te Manu told from his point of view as an old man. As he sits for a portrait by Lindauer he looks back on his trip to England, which he … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Historical | Leave a comment

Hokitika Town by Charlotte Randall – 2011

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

A slice of life on the West Coast in the 1860s as seen through the eyes of a young boy trying to make sense of the world, relationships and trickiest of all, the English language. Funny, sad and intriguing, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Historical | Leave a comment

The conductor by Sarah Quigley – 2011

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

So much more than a novel about how art can help people triumph over, or at least survive through, adversity; The Conductor is a complex novel exploring the many and various drives and desires that keep us going. A disparate … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Historical | Leave a comment

Blood men by Paul Cleave – 2010

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

Blood Men is Paul Cleave’s fourth thriller set in a Christchurch more like the outskirts of hell than a garden city. Edward Hunter has managed to create a comfortable life – he is married to a fellow accountant and the … Continue reading →

Posted in #yeahnoir, Book Review | Leave a comment

Theodora: actress, empress, whore by Stella Duffy – 2010

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

Theodora is a meticulously researched novel about the early life of Theodora, who was born around 500 and died in 548. It starts with the story of a child raised in the excitement and turmoil surrounding Constantinople’s ‘circus’ performers – … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Historical | Leave a comment

Kehua by Fay Weldon – 2010

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

Kehua is the story of a family touching on four generations. Beverley moves to the UK from New Zealand, with several unappeased Kehua – or Maori spirits – in tow. We meet many characters from Beverley’s extended family, and many … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Leave a comment

Settler’s Creek by Carl Nixon – 2010

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

Settlers’ Creek develops in unexpected ways, venturing into extremely emotional terrain as it explores the importance of a sense of place and status. Box Saxton suffers a cataclysmic fall in socio-economic status with a recent economic recession, then suffers the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Belief by Stephanie Johnson – 2000

Posted on November 5, 2014 by alysonebaker

This tale, which takes place in New Zealand and the United States, is one of longing for faith and love and spans the turn of the last century; the prologue is in 1880 and the epilogue 1920. The two main … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical | Leave a comment