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By: DUNED 042
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2025-07-03 10:14:52 |
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Many things to like about this book. Some wonderful writing and insight into the art world, an artist's process, and underwater diving, but most of us realised we didn't like the characters very much - so, mixed feelings. |
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By: MOTUE 008
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2023-06-27 14:24:32 |
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The group generally enjoyed the novel, although not as much as others by Laurence Fearnley. There were some exquisite descriptions of the world under the sea, and of the process of etching. |
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By: ASHB 005
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2023-05-15 13:17:05 |
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Good discussion on book, but most felt the book was rather slow. Good descriptive passages, but the main characters were most unusual. No wonder they had problems!! |
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By: FEILD 004
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2020-07-01 12:55:16 |
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We enjoyed the writing style. The characters are believable. The NZ setting was a great connection. I am keen to read other books by Laurence Fearnley. |
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By: CHCH 240
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2019-05-24 11:59:25 |
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An interesting story about relationships and their intricacies, and a clever portrayal of the three main characters. But it was just a story - without a plot. We had a very stimulating discussion about the many layers in the book but some felt it just drifted along and the ending left us all wondering. |
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By: CHCH 155
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2018-10-14 15:19:54 |
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The majority of our group found the main characters' relationship very unusual. We wanted to know how they fared when Marcus returned. Had the arrival of their son enriched their attitudes to one another in resolving their conflicts The art and the processes, the joys of running along with the diving descriptions were well portrayed. |
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By: CHCH 085
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2018-05-16 14:16:05 |
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The background information and broad discussion questions provided for 'Reach' gave rise to a lively interchange of ideas tonight. |
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By: AUCK 009
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2018-05-16 14:11:18 |
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So Laurence Fearnley isn't "plot driven" - in fact she dislikes plots - which is all very well for her, but rather unsatisfactory for the reader. While we agreed that her descriptions of places and people were beautiful and sometimes outstanding, the lack of resolution of any of the problems the characters faced; the lack of any significant change to their behaviour or any greater insight, left us all feeling let down. What was the point of it all |
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By: HIKUR 001
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2018-05-16 14:06:22 |
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Unconventional relationships made this book plot less and lacking in narrative structure. However, interesting descriptions and grasp of detail. Some readers enjoyed the quirky natures of Quin and Marcus, others thought their relationship unnatural. A pedantic and formal style of writing, although rich in description - seemed to be like a formulaic "how to write a novel". Written with the head rather than the heart. |
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By: QUEEN 003
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2018-05-16 14:00:26 |
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We did enjoy the descriptions and details of etching and deep sea diving - obviously well researched. Lawrence Fearnley has a dark view of relationships and the end of the book does not resolve these. |
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By: CHCH 099
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2018-05-16 13:55:41 |
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The most praise for this novel was given to the exquisite descriptions of the artworks, and the intimate knowledge that the author displayed about the art world. And also for the beauty of her prose in many passages. There was also a delight in the descriptions of the submarine world. There was less enjoyment in the rather dark setting for the novel, and the insurmountable alienation of the characters from each other and thus from the reader. There seemed to be no way that they could communicate with each other. On the whole a worthwhile read. |
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By: NAP 021
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2018-05-02 03:36:24 |
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"Reach" provoked lengthy and spirited discussions. All agreed it was beautifully written but some readers could not feel comfortable with the characters. It's what we would describe as a "deep" book; asking the reader to really think about what the author was trying to say. Two of us really rated this book highly whilst the others not nearly so much. |
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