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robinwalter's Reviews (1.87k)
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Not a bad prequel for the Dave Burrows series, but a very abrupt ending and with no explanation it seems a bit implausible
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fast moving story with a gratifyingly plausible and credible resolution to the core mystery
I tried to make allowances for it being her first novel but in the end I gave up hoping for it to gel with me
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
The first and third were my favourites, the second was a little slow to get going.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A rather dull and predictable Xmas stocking filler. Give me more of GEORGE Cross, less of the other Crosses he has to bear, and I'll be happy.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
A really beautiful collection of poems in this anthology. A wide variety of voices and styles. It was a pleasure to read. One thing that I particularly liked was the significant presence of Te Reo Māori. Poems initially written in Māori were translated into English and vice versa, which was very impressive. Overall, Even though I am very unlikely to memorise any of them as that beyond me, but the section on how to learn, memorise, learn and recite poems was a real highlight. Putting that at the end was great. The way the introduction to the book started with explaining why the anthology editor considered it important to memorise poems, and then wrapping the book with detailed explanations of how to do that was a really good idea.An excellent anthology for all Aotearoa residents, especially.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
In his intro, Damien Wilkins says
If I were put against a wall and asked to make any sort of general observation about the poetry here, it would have something to do with, well, fun. Not a very high-minded concept, I know. A kind of buoyancy then. Or lightness
There was very little fun in this anthology and much less lightness, at least as I and most English dictionaries define those words. The recurring themes that come up most often BY far, are aging, mortality and death. Those "fun" light" topics are the central theme of at least 80% of the poems in this anthology. Some REALLY good writing, lots to make one think - especially for those who call Aotearoa/NZ home, but a very downbeat experience overall.
informative
medium-paced
A useful addition to my reading on the subject and the period - from the Fall of Rome to the Renaissance.
I need at least ONE character in a story to be at least a little likeable, or at the VERY least, not actively unlikeable. None of the characters in this book were, for me.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Not awful, but formulaic and forgettable, with lashings of right-wing nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Not enough here to persuade me to try another