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Title: Migrations
Authors: McConaghy, Charlotte
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 276
Year: 2020
Language: English
Description: When Franny Stone with her bad case of wanderlust and affinity for birds, inveigles her way onto a fishing boat in order to follow the last Arctic terns on their migration to Antarctica, it is the beginning of an epic voyage.

Set in the near future with the effects of climate change well in play, the story moves seamlessly between time and place unreeling a nautical adventure and a journey of personal redemption for Franny and her complicated past. Haunting, riveting, but undeniably hopeful. [Small font]

Categories: Fiction, Dystopia/Futuristic, Environmental, Grief/loss, Mystery, Relationships, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, 2023 Titles

Reviews

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By: MANGWH 005 2025-07-02 15:01:22
5 
Book generated a lot of animated discussion about ocean degradation etc. Excellent read.

By: CHCH 532 2025-04-14 11:46:36
4.5 
This book was greatly appreciated by most and stimulated an amazing conversation and life questions.

By: MAPUA 001 2024-10-03 11:57:12
4 
The group was split over the book. Some were enthralled and wanted to read it again. Others found it hard to connect with and depressing. The description of the cold and the extreme weather were excellent.

By: CROMW 005 2023-11-20 12:54:22
3.5 
Some struggled, some enjoyed. A bit of suspended belief needed!

By: NELS 023 2023-11-06 13:27:11
3.5 
This was a polarising read for our group. People loved it or hated it. We all commented on the beautiful descriptive writing.

By: PALMN 022 2023-10-02 12:50:05
4 
A dark but thought provoking book that was enjoyed by all in our group. Had an enjoyable discussion on conservation and climate change.

By: CHCH 518 2023-09-29 14:26:45
2 
Most readers felt so overwhelmed by the depression of the protagonist that it was difficult to focus on the actual story. A good subject that missed the point (climate change) with too much going on.

By: WAIKA 011 2023-09-29 14:24:54
2 
Most of the group found the structure of the book did not work ie. moving backwards and forwards in time. There were a lot of inconsistencies and unfinished loose ends. On the whole the group did not enjoy the book - felt the ending was unsatisfactory.

By: NEWP 004 2023-09-18 11:02:49
4 
Interesting and different. Not altogether credible but a good story never-the-less.

By: NAP 011 2023-07-01 14:37:08
4 
The book was warmly received by everyone and a couple of members thought it was an outstanding novel. Heroine was quirky and overall theme of collapse of ecosystems was very real. Poetic style of writing also admired by all.

By: WANAK 010 2023-05-03 19:29:36
4.5 
All of our group agreed this was one of the best books we've had. Only complaints were the font size for our older members who like to read at night, and the way the time sequence jumped, although others thought this was superbly done as it wove the back story of Franny's life into the devastation of the world. Highly relevant with lots of discussion around climate change and global warming. We were left wondering if this is a glimpse into a possible future.

By: WANAK 010 2023-04-19 14:43:05
4.5 
All of our group agreed this was one of the best books we've had. Only complaints were the font size for our older members who like to read at night, and the way the time sequence jumped, although others thought this was superbly done as it wove the back story of Franny's life into the devastation of the world.

By: ROTO 002 2023-04-17 13:29:27
4 
The climate change theme was enjoyed by all. Some found the twisted plot a bit frustrating. The sea voyages on the fishing boat were realistically described and easy to visualise. Book created a very interesting and stimulating discussion,. Excellent language.

By: TAUR 004 2023-04-17 13:07:48
3.5 
Everyone found this a rather bleak story. Some lovely descriptive writing, but the story was far fetched. Some characters could have been developed further. Some didn't like the constant shifting back and forwards with the past and present events.

By: MARTIN 001 2023-03-23 14:37:01
3.5 
Not believable. No one could relate to the main character. Some good writing but story does not hold together as a whole. Not good at promoting climate change emergency as not convincing.

By: GORE 007 2022-11-23 14:11:39
4 
Fascinating following the migratory paths of these resilient birds.

By: WHANG 026 2022-10-05 12:32:26
4 
Lots of us loved this book. Recommended. Great character development. Impressive first novel with a consistent and believable voice. Compelling but grueling. The gap between now and then was fine tuned. A few problems with loose ends and suspending reality.

By: MOTUE 006 2022-09-23 14:36:50
4 
We found this book got better as the pages turned - it initially bounced around, but as the story unfolded it was quite a thriller, though at times somewhat fantastical. It demonstrated a possible ecological disaster as we rape and pillage the ocean, however it was educational and perhaps the terns' migration was meant to symbolize that endurance and hope as Franny's life also seemed full of despair and chaos. It was great to finish on a note of hope and new beginnings.

By: AUCK 188 2022-08-15 12:28:11
3 
Mixed feelings amongst our members. Lyrical prose emphasising loss of species because of global warming.

By: CHCH 396 2022-07-27 13:38:02
3 
Mixed reviews with this one. Some really couldn't "get into it", while others liked it.

By: GOVER 005 2022-06-11 08:07:01
4 
4.5 stars. We all enjoyed this book. It has a rocky start and a central character we initially couldnt identify with, but as the book revealed itself, the rhythm of the writing won us over. Interesting, slightly dystopian ( and emotionally challenging) setting. An easy read despite all of the above and an enjoyable one.

 
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