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By: HAMIL 062
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2025-07-02 19:12:43 |
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We enjoyed reading a book set in N.Z. and learning more about values and attitudes of that time, like the moral panic of the Mazengarb report, and anti Irish/ '10 pound poms' discrimination. We were saddened and shocked by our history with the death penalty, and the unkindness shown to Paddy's mother, and injustice shown to Paddy. It made for uncomfortable disturbing reading, and for this reason many of us didn't enjoy the book, even though it was well-written and well researched. Some of us were annoyed/ confused by the fact and fiction mix. |
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By: CHCH 086
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2025-05-26 09:54:58 |
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A tough read. Confrontational. Important part of our history. Albert Black has not been forgotten. Young vulnerable boys can make mistakes that have a huge impact on their lives. |
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By: PALMN 029
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2025-04-03 20:38:53 |
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We were all really glad we read this book, but it was a very sad story. So many places we hoped it would go differently. |
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By: LEVIN 001
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2025-03-24 11:11:36 |
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An extremely well-written book, and a gruelling read. |
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By: MAST 003
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2024-03-06 13:44:08 |
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Unanimously loved this book. Well-written, and raised strong feelings about capital punishment and the justice system. Led to an interesting discussion. Highly recommended. |
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By: WESTP 001
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2024-01-15 10:13:58 |
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Thanks to Fiona Kidman for a well-written account of an unpleasant time in N.Z's history. Her persistence in trying to make contact with Albert's family and her determination to have his murder verdict reclassified will, hopefully, right the wrongs in this case. There is much in the story for New Zealanders to learn about cultural and religious diversity. Even the green colour on the book cover was significant. |
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By: LOWER 007
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2023-10-02 11:44:58 |
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Great discussion! Well researched and written book. Excellent melding of fact and fiction. Group had a wide ranging discussion about morality, justice, prejudice, classism, and other issues raised by this book. |
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By: QUEEN 017
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2023-05-08 10:38:38 |
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Unanimous acclamation from our club for this book. We all felt that it was a stunningly gripping story, told with non-judgemental candour, exploring along the way the politics, the social norms, and the anxieties of N.Z. in the 1950s. Dame Fiona skilfully layers this narrative with background stories of the protagonist's Irish family and those of the jurors who wind up sealing his fate. Her development of Albert's feelings, his choices and his relationships with his peers round out this poignant tale. We thought it was an excellent read. |
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By: AUCK 105
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2023-03-20 11:39:52 |
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Magnificently written, by Fiona Kidman ( of course). Confronting, but a must read and it certainly generated a lot of discussion. |
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By: MAST 005
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2022-10-17 14:57:42 |
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Such a sad and distressing crime and injustice that occurred in N.Z. in the 1950s. This book was beautifully constructed and written with compassion - we had a great discussion and the group learned about a legal system and laws that were no longer fit for purpose! |
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By: WHANGA 004
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2022-10-10 11:47:13 |
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Captivating read, the whole group recommends this book. Engaging, well-written, keeps you 'in the moment' at all times. |
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By: CHCH 423
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2022-06-09 17:49:54 |
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This book was a big hit with our group. Very favorable comments in terms of content and style. We couldn't help observing how easy it is to wind up on the wrong side of fate...one too many drinks, a moment of anger... |
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By: TAUR 010
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2022-05-11 12:59:24 |
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Really good discussion from this book. |
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By: AUCK 014
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2022-03-15 11:01:58 |
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Brilliantly written, thought-provoking, surprisingly compelling narrative even though we all knew what happened in the end. The characters were superbly drawn with the customary empathy typical of Fiona Kidman's work. It was too upsetting for some in the group with one having to stop...and another not starting. So a wide range of responses. That said, we rated it highly. There was a great deal of discussion, with some of us remembering the debates of the time and the socio-political context (given our average age). |
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By: WHANG 022
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2021-11-19 11:31:22 |
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Beautifully written from all the characters' perspectives, and covers this tense topic comprehensively. One of us stopped reading at a certain point so as not to read the final scenes. A great social commentary on being pawns in someone else's game. |
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By: GISB 003
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2021-11-03 12:23:49 |
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Five stars for 'This Mortal Boy', a first ever that we can remember for our group. Most of us were teenagers in the 50s, and the names and times were familiar to us. We found it incredibly sad, and were horrified by the attitudes of the time as portrayed in the story, and also by the grinding poverty of the Black family and their community. |
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By: COOKS 001
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2021-09-20 23:48:32 |
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Kidman has captured a snapshot of NZ society in the 1950's, its conservative, right wing, white male dominated attitudes. As well as the biases against youth and the discrimination against immigrants especially the Irish. This is a sad and sensitively written story that we all felt compelled to read to the end despite knowing the outcome. Our discussion centred on jury bullying and how Albert might have been treated in today's courtroom had he been charged with manslaughter. |
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By: ASHB 016
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2021-09-13 15:43:26 |
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We all enjoyed this book, and although we were in Lockdown, everyone did a review via email. Some were surprised that this even happened in NZ, all felt sorry for his mother and the way she was treated. Interesting how he is was treated in the community because he was Irish. Goes to show how circumstances can change so quickly - great story and as per all Fiona Kidman's books, well written. Would recommend this as a really good story that is sure to create great discussion. |
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By: WAIKA 004
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2021-08-17 16:27:38 |
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Provoked a lot of discussion on growing up in NZ at that period, and how much we were aware or unaware of the issues covered in the book. We were horrified to be reminded of the fact that orphans [and sometimes not orphans ] were sent out here and to Australia and Canada after the war. |
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By: CLARK 001
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2021-04-21 13:39:31 |
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All of the group enjoyed the novel, and felt Kidman kept the tension to the end. Many found it quite haunting, and were alarmed at the death sentence still in effect as late as 1954. Way behind other countries. |
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By: WELL 046
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2021-03-24 14:41:03 |
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The group found this a very readable and convincing story, based on fact, some imagining of events, interwoven with the social history of the 1950s. The reinstatement of the death penalty over that time and the flawed trial that resulted in the execution of this young immigrant, were valuable lessons from a somewhat overlooked period of New Zealand's history. A very worthwhile read. |
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By: WELL 079
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2021-03-17 11:44:46 |
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This book generated lively discussion. Many of us were alive (but young!) in the 1950s and remember some of the personalities in the political circles, and were shocked at some of the attitudes. Well-written, and kept our interest even though we knew the eventual outcome. |
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By: DUNED 100
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2021-03-10 10:27:04 |
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Many were saddened by the story; but loved the way it was written! |
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By: CHCH 479
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2021-01-27 09:11:26 |
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A reality check, and a tragic story about NZ at that time. |
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By: CHCH 268
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2020-12-09 14:58:42 |
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Sad, and a well-written portrait of an interesting period in NZ history. |
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By: ONAWE 001
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2020-09-28 17:25:44 |
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All our members read this book and although some were in tears in parts, we all thought it was beautifully & honestly written about a time in New Zealands social history that we are not proud of! As the majority of us were born in the 1940s it was like being in a time warp for us, growing up in the 50s. The book stimulated us to a great discussion and we hope never to return to those judgemental and narrow minded times. |
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By: NEWP 014
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2020-07-17 14:48:06 |
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Well-written, thought provoking book. Lots of discussion. |
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By: WELL 094
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2020-07-03 14:36:31 |
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Very well received. Lots to think and talk about. |
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By: AUCK 375
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2020-07-03 14:31:19 |
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Not all in the group read the book, as in the current climate we wanted something more uplifting. Those that did were moved by the account. We doubted that Henry's evidence would have made any difference in view of the climate at the time. |
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By: QUEEN 014
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2020-05-11 14:21:48 |
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We found it an interesting read but a bit too depressing - especially during Covid! Good insight into the political and social climate for early immigration into New Zealand. |
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