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By: QUEEN 017
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2025-10-31 16:49:52 |
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Our group loved the book, particularly the description of a " redneck" on p297. A hard read at times but very well-written. |
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By: AUCK 349
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2025-10-06 10:13:49 |
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Generally agreed a depressing story. A complicated plot helped by an early read of the book notes, which are excellent. Those that read the book more than once gained a greater impression of its worth. |
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By: CHCH 033
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2025-06-04 14:14:18 |
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Great writing for a first book. An excellent read - great discussion and we all felt it was realistic in today's world/ N.Z. especially. We are keen to follow up in the next book. |
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By: WELL 156
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2025-04-28 09:38:51 |
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The book was well-written, and even poetic in places. But most of us found it difficult to figure out ( and remember) how the various characters were connected to each other, so it was difficult to read. |
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By: MARLB 002
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2025-04-06 16:24:12 |
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This was not an easy book to read, explicit violence was very hard for some, but we all felt it was a well-written book and the portrayal of gang life was very believable. Some were not sure if Aroha's narrative helped move the story along, but we all felt it was worth the read. Very sad but a positive ending. |
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By: ROTO 003
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2025-03-24 11:42:34 |
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Sad! The violence was hard to read at times but very real. It did take a while to work out the characters, and who the narrator was. A glossary of Maori words would have been good. |
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By: COROM 005
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2025-03-08 11:32:40 |
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Incredible first book for the author, we all found the subject matter very confronting and sad yet beautifully told through all the characters who were well developed. It was lightened by Ari & Beth's friendship and the more innocent perspective on their hardships. Heart breaking story but we all agreed that there was a lot to take away from this book, a must read for all! |
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By: RANGI 003
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2025-01-31 11:50:50 |
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Difficult read but well-written. |
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By: AUCK 385
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2024-09-02 12:48:10 |
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We loved this book. So beautifully written and a very captivating story. The characters were so well-written. Quite confronting in places but so well balanced with the voice of Ari, who broke all our hearts with his use of plasters to heal his emotional trauma. |
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By: CHCH 558
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2024-06-15 15:35:40 |
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Good but hard read. Slow start but the book picks up after the second half. For some members this was a window to a world they were not familiar with (but that exists in New Zealand), while for others it was quite close to home. A member described it as a necessary and powerful read but also difficult. |
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By: WESTO 001
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2024-05-02 14:15:31 |
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This was a hard read but worthwhile. One member read it twice and found that she got a lot more out of it second time around. |
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By: NELS 050
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2024-04-18 10:24:07 |
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Powerful, beautifully written; the characters were complex and real and even the violent characters had context to explain their behaviour. A real insight into a world usually glimpsed through news reports. The weaving of the story through time and characters lent it it the feel of a saga or a myth. A difficult read but well worth it for the richness of the telling. |
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By: CHCH 509
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2024-04-15 21:25:32 |
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A book we were all glad to have read - we recommend. |
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By: CHCH 566
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2024-04-15 11:50:28 |
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Loved it, bloody good read! |
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By: MAPUA 001
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2024-04-15 11:49:53 |
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We all loved this book. It was brilliant, sensitive writing, and absolutely compelling. Tragic, cruel, and violent, but with moments of great love and humour. |
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By: WHITBY 001
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2024-03-04 11:13:08 |
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Some members found the violence a little too much. |
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By: TAUR 061
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2023-11-05 16:18:37 |
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The haunting call of Aue echoed throughout the reading and subsequent discussion of Manawatus gripping and cleverly crafted novel. Despite feeling confronted by the tales of many of the characters, we treasured the moments of love that were interwoven into the narrative. There was a beacon of hope. There is little doubt life is a lottery: the whanau you are born into; the people you interact with; the happenstance of life events. Its what we do with them that defines who we are. We await expectantly for Manawatus next publication. |
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By: WAIKA 008
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2023-10-12 12:54:44 |
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We loved this book. |
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By: TAUM 003
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2023-09-11 12:52:27 |
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A challenging and uncomfortable book for some group members - but so relevant to our community and countless others. Essential reading for all teachers and services dealing with children from this background, and the adults they become. |
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By: DOYLE 001
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2023-08-03 11:29:05 |
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The comment was made that it would have been good to have a family tree to refer to as some of us were confused with the relationship between some characters. Also Aroha's narrative ( in italics) was not clearly understood until the notes were read. But all enjoyed the read by this talented author! |
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By: WAIKA 010
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2023-07-27 16:22:32 |
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The majority of the group are away, but of those who read the book, we found it a hard subject but ultimately a very worthwhile book. Well-written. |
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By: DUNED 100
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2023-06-27 14:15:22 |
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Our group found 'Aue' a beautifully written book, although some found the violence and despair difficult to cope with. |
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By: TAIH 002
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2023-06-21 12:49:52 |
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This is one of the best books we have had - and by a N.Z. author AND her first novel!! Most of us felt we would like to read it again. It created a great discussion - thanks! |
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By: PALMN 040
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2023-06-19 12:14:25 |
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We 'enjoyed' the book. Another slice of life. |
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By: TEHORO 002
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2023-05-17 13:57:00 |
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A very important book, beautifully written. None of the characters are caricatures. We loved how the author wrote with such insight for the children's experience and perspective. A deeply tragic story with a redemptive human depth throughout. |
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By: FEILD 001
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2023-04-24 13:52:16 |
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Excellent discussion prompted by this book - confronting and poignant and very well developed characters. Highly recommended. Those who re-read 'Aue' found it even more rewarding. |
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By: MATAM 003
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2023-03-27 11:39:46 |
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No one in the group enjoyed the book because it ( the content) was so graphic, so depressing , sordid but so real. It is so powerfully written that when reading, one could see what was happening and where. A very well-written book which created great discussion. As one member said, we all found it difficult to accept that this was happening in our country, something we did know but put in the back of our minds. This book brought it to the forefront. Scored 3 for enjoyment, but a 5 for how well it was written. |
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By: LEVIN 001
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2023-01-27 09:44:01 |
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Most people were impressed with the writing but did not find the material comfortable. One didn't finish it because of content and another didn't finish because it was confusing and she was unable to keep track of the characters. Most people commented on the difficulty of this, but generally felt that it was finally drawn together extremely well. Having worked out the characters some felt a second reading would be beneficial. |
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By: MTMA 001
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2023-01-27 09:40:52 |
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Interestingly written. A little raw for our group. Chronologically challenging, as were the relationships. |
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By: OMAR 001
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2023-01-27 09:39:04 |
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Mixed opinions on this book. Some couldn't finish it - too unpleasant. Others loved it. |
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By: AUCK 414
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2023-01-27 09:37:57 |
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Our group felt this book but was well-written, but some found it confronting and sad. Educational too. Votes were split - mostly 2's and 4's. |
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By: AUCK 376
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2023-01-25 13:23:47 |
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Our members loved this book and found it deeply moving. Two of the group read it twice. One (an author herself) felt that it needed editing, but we al loved the symbolism and the use of the "ghost voice" of Aroha who commented from the next life. Can't wait for her next book! |
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By: CHCH 539
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2022-12-01 13:42:06 |
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Certainly an uncomfortable read. Two levels of rawness and reality in our own back yard, and the heaviness of a situation that won't go away. Thought provoking text that stirred up memories of stories in our lives. Tricky text format travelling past to present. Created deep thinking and discussion. |
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By: WELL 213
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2022-10-17 10:36:57 |
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'Aue' is challenging, both in its structure and its content, but those of us who persevered found it worthwhile and appreciated how well it is written. |
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By: WHAKA 021
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2022-10-14 12:52:53 |
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Tragic story, well written. Most found the violence hard to read, but it is what makes the story so moving. |
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By: WHAKA 020
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2022-10-03 12:46:43 |
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Most of the group didn't enjoy the content of the book. Reminiscent of 'Once Were Warriors'. |
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By: PALMN 029
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2022-09-18 21:08:39 |
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Amazing book. Devastating story, almost traumatic, but so beautifully written that you don't feel traumatised by it. We wanted to hug and take care of all of them. |
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By: OXF 002
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2022-08-24 13:10:09 |
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The views were mixed. Some had difficulty with the violence, and the four different views in the storyline were a little complicated at times. However there was agreement on the quality of the writing which was excellent. The book certainly gave a very strong window into gang life in New Zealand. Well worth the read. |
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By: DUNED 029
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2022-06-15 13:39:09 |
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An amazing read. A must read for NZers! Beautifully written, tugs at the heartstrings. Difficult subject matter. |
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By: DUNED 110
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2022-05-11 12:39:05 |
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Good read. A little difficulty with remembering who was who. Great discussion. |
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