Author Archives: alysonebaker

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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