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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have too many thoughts and feelings about this book to do it any justice. There is beauty and there is suffering. Sometimes I had to take breaks because it was so beautiful it hurt, sometimes I took breaks because there was simply too much hurting.
On a personal note, Kerewin reminded me very strongly of someone I used to know, someone who meant the world to me a lifetime ago. Everything that was art and knowledge and music and wordplay conjured this ghost out of my past. Bittersweet.
On a personal note, Kerewin reminded me very strongly of someone I used to know, someone who meant the world to me a lifetime ago. Everything that was art and knowledge and music and wordplay conjured this ghost out of my past. Bittersweet.
I read this book not long after it's release. I remembered it having a slow start and then building up to a shattering climax.
The scenes that had an impact for me still do. This book does a wonderful job of exploring a complex relationship that was both loving & violent. Some of the prose was quite beautiful & I didn't mind the liberties Hulme took with descriptive words.
There are also a few flaws.
Kerewin is at least partially autobiographical (the similar names are a little clue!) and I could just feel Hulme's smug approval of Kerewin's actions. Personally I found her insufferable at the start, although she did improve in the middle of the book & I liked the character's honesty about her part in the outcome for Simon.
I had forgotten the ending. Was a bit Mills & Boon for me. Thought Hulme wimped out a bit there.
Not a masterpiece (Mistresspiece?) but a very fine book & an important part of New Zealand's literary landscape.
The scenes that had an impact for me still do. This book does a wonderful job of exploring a complex relationship that was both loving & violent.
Spoiler
I wish I could say Joe's prison sentence was unrealistically short. But I can't.There are also a few flaws.
Kerewin is at least partially autobiographical (the similar names are a little clue!) and I could just feel Hulme's smug approval of Kerewin's actions. Personally I found her insufferable at the start, although she did improve in the middle of the book & I liked the character's honesty about her part in the outcome for Simon.
I had forgotten the ending. Was a bit Mills & Boon for me. Thought Hulme wimped out a bit there.
Not a masterpiece (Mistresspiece?) but a very fine book & an important part of New Zealand's literary landscape.
BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!
I was really excited to get to read this book because:
- It seems to be New Zealand's most famous book.
- It uses the West Coast as it's location.
- And it has a high goodreads rating of 4.10.
Well apart from a mini maori dictionary in the back of the book, I just couldn't get into it and put it down and reopened it many a times. I struggled my way to just over half way through before I gave up and read the whole plot story on Wikipedia. Saved myself a good 5+ hours! Thanks Wikipedia!
So what made this book so bad? The main character for a start just got on my nerves, the way she talkz about herself even referring to herself by surname. The one interesting mystery about the boy's history is never really explored and judging by wikipedia it isn't in the last 200 pages.
I've written way too much already, I hope there are some better Kiwi books because I'd love to read them and get this sour taste out of my mouth!
I was really excited to get to read this book because:
- It seems to be New Zealand's most famous book.
- It uses the West Coast as it's location.
- And it has a high goodreads rating of 4.10.
Well apart from a mini maori dictionary in the back of the book, I just couldn't get into it and put it down and reopened it many a times. I struggled my way to just over half way through before I gave up and read the whole plot story on Wikipedia. Saved myself a good 5+ hours! Thanks Wikipedia!
So what made this book so bad? The main character for a start just got on my nerves, the way she talkz about herself even referring to herself by surname. The one interesting mystery about the boy's history is never really explored and judging by wikipedia it isn't in the last 200 pages.
I've written way too much already, I hope there are some better Kiwi books because I'd love to read them and get this sour taste out of my mouth!
A story about loneliness, self imposed isolation, love, forgiveness, and child abuse. This book challenges your morals and makes you ask yourself some really tough questions. The opposite of light beach reading...
This was unlike any other book I've ever read. I'm not sure I understood all of it, but I'm glad I read it.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes