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By: HINDS 001
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2026-03-24 16:37:34 |
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Lots of discussion. Did he or didn't he? Very relevant in today's 'Me Too' movement. |
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By: CHCH 299
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2025-12-09 10:54:55 |
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One of the few books that everyone in the group enjoyed. Most found it gripping and read it quickly, anxious to find out what happened. Its the second book we've read by this author, and the second we've enjoyed. Several members intend to read more of her works. |
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By: WAIUK 003
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2025-11-20 09:50:01 |
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Everyone enjoyed the read, a lot of moral issues discussed. |
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By: HAMIL 053
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2025-05-19 10:00:17 |
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We rated this book on average a 2 out of 5. Most found it an easy read but no one rated it highly. It was felt that it was written for a TV series or movie. A lot of it was too implausible, and the writing not great either. |
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By: TAKA 001
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2025-05-13 09:37:57 |
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A well-written book with a very relevant theme. There was some disquiet about the ethics re the prosecutor's previous involvement with the accused. A lot of discussion was generated and although the subject was disturbing on many levels the book was 'enjoyed' as a piece of literature. |
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By: WHITBY 005
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2025-01-18 18:07:40 |
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Generally well received with believable scenarios. Generated great discussion on issues raised. Members shared personal experiences. One instance of supporting a young, abused woman through the trauma of the ensuing court cases; another on being a jury member on a rape trial and frustration with the amount of information excluded from the jury. |
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By: CHCH 449
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2024-10-04 12:39:12 |
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We really enjoyed the writing style of this book and most enjoyed the plot. Some were a little dubious about the explicitness of a few "facts" and one didn't enjoy it at all. Good conversation was generated regarding society and the "privileges" of a few, even at a local level. |
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By: CHCH 012
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2024-02-22 10:30:35 |
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The group generally enjoyed this book. It brought forth a lot of discussion re privilege, corruption, and the meaning of consent. Worth reading. |
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By: AUCK 150
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2024-02-21 13:25:54 |
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We all found this book a 'hard to put down' one. The writing was beautiful, and the plots and sub plots very powerful. |
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By: CHCH 001
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2024-01-22 13:09:13 |
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Unputdownable! Topical, good mystery. Some members had seen the T.V. series,and still enjoyed the book which was well-written with believable characters. |
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By: AUCK 417
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2023-12-19 10:41:42 |
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We all thoroughly enjoyed this book. It opened up a lot of discussion around the issues of consent, harassment and privilege. It portrayed the difficulty of proving rape even with a motivated barrister and especially against a privileged member of the upperclass. |
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By: INVER 001
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2023-11-16 10:38:26 |
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Our group all really enjoyed this book - highly topical subject matter and written in an engaging style. Also enjoyed the questions as very specific, thought provoking and relevant to the book. |
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By: CHCH 529
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2023-03-20 10:40:43 |
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One of the more gripping books we have read at book club, with a very robust discussion. It was also worth discussing the comparison of the book to the mini series, and that it was accurately portrayed. Highly recommended. |
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By: AUCK 014
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2022-10-11 11:30:00 |
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Several of the group had seen the television series, but despite knowing the ending still found the book very readable. The clever slow reveal of the characters kept us turning the pages. There was a lot of conversation about how conflicting the legal process is as an arbiter of guilt and innocence in such cases; especially so as we experience the shifts of cultural norms in our society. It was an easy read despite the unsettling nature of the content. |
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By: PAIHIA 003
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2022-08-31 09:56:51 |
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Well-written. Fairly topical theme for NZers right now. Attitudes of class and entitlement don't sit comfortably with Kiwis, so it promoted a very interesting discussion. |
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By: PALMN 018
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2022-04-22 12:57:33 |
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Excellent book. We are all looking forward to the Netflix version. |
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By: WAIKA 014
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2022-04-22 12:56:30 |
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Most reluctantly persevered and found it captivating as it wore on. Not a popular choice but it stimulated great discussion. |
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By: DUNED 015
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2022-03-30 16:07:43 |
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We thoroughly enjoyed this story, and its parallels to aspects of British political and academic behaviour! |
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By: HAMIL 062
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2021-12-01 17:37:57 |
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Everyone loved this thought provoking book. A great combination of weighty issues delivered in an easy to read page turner style. A credible version of a sexual assault's impact from the multiple perspectives of all the main characters. The characters were subtly portrayed as whole people with both good and bad characteristics. It stimulated a great discussion on the abuse of power by the entitled upperclass, what is true consent, what is the truth, and how damaging and long lasting the impact of sexual assault can be. |
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By: OHOPE 006
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2021-09-17 11:37:03 |
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Enjoyed by all the group in varying degrees. Hard hitting topic with a particularly disgusting main male character. Interesting twist to the story. |
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By: CHCH 488
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2021-08-18 20:36:45 |
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Most of us didn't really expect to like this book but ended up loving it. It sparked discussion on all sorts of things: staying at home with kids vs pursuing career goals, educating our kids about consent, the decency of politicians, infidelity among posh people, and irresponsible things we did when we were young. |
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By: CHCH 247
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2021-06-09 15:02:33 |
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10/11 readers found it very gripping. All enjoyed. Very well written. Discussion was very animated and uninhibited. Thoroughly recommend. |
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By: AUCK 038
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2020-05-22 12:47:52 |
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Very well-written, if somewhat disturbing! |
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By: WELL 150
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2020-05-22 12:47:21 |
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Good discussion and comments that this was very topical. |
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By: RAWEN 001
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2020-05-22 12:46:18 |
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We had a zoom meeting to discuss this book at the end of May. We ALL liked it, an easy read during lockdown. Good discussion afterwards regarding rape, and Sophie's attitude to her husband. Would recommend book to other groups. |
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By: MAST 014
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2020-05-11 13:23:10 |
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Well-written book. Enjoyed by everyone. |
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By: GREYT 001
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2020-03-04 10:02:23 |
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An excellent read. Although, at times, quite confronting and sexually explicit - it was at no time gratuitous. We had a great discussion about privilege and entitlement which really were the main themes of the story - and of course the "Me Too" movement. Our group is aged 70+ and we are mixed gender. |
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By: NELS 058
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2020-01-29 14:41:43 |
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A jolly good read. |
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By: NAP 005
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2020-01-29 14:41:13 |
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Different viewpoints on the book. Some found it difficult to get into, but rewarding when finished. |
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By: NORTH 009
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2020-01-29 14:40:10 |
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We found it difficult to relate to the characters initially but warmed to them as the story went on - not the rapist:-). Fabulous in depth discussion at our meeting - topics included old boys' culture, nurture issues etc. |
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By: PALMN 031
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2020-01-29 14:36:53 |
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Everyone enjoyed this book. Had a great discussion. |
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By: AUCK 069
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2019-10-16 14:31:24 |
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Despite the low score, we had one of the best discussions for a book. Everyone finished it; we felt it was not well-written but interesting subject matter. |
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By: TAUR 057
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2019-06-19 12:45:19 |
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This book divided the club. Some enjoyed it, most didn't. Some enjoyed the writing and descriptions, others felt the writing didn't make as much of the legal issues as other authors might have done. No-one could relate to the upper class characters or the old boys' network, but in talking about that it opened up one of the best discussions we've had. |
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