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By: NEWP 003
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2026-04-01 10:09:48 |
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We loved the rich details of Grace's life - like the goat's coloured feet battle. We felt that she had generously and deliberately implied and inferred the racism and effects of colonisation - showing rather a generous viewpoint. The last third seemed to change voice and became less engaging. We enjoyed the quotes from her work as many of us had read her stories. The photos linked to the writing was helpful although the quality wasn't great. All read it. |
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By: MAPUA 001
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2026-01-10 15:01:19 |
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Generally everyone was interested in the book, and the moment in time it conveyed. Enjoyable discussions were had. |
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By: ASHB 003
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2025-12-05 14:12:21 |
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All enjoyed the book, some had already read it, but didn't mind reading it again. It was a great book for those who didn't know Patricia Grace - we enjoyed getting to know her as Maori, mother, wife, writer and teacher. |
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By: TAUR 049
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2025-11-17 10:49:38 |
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All enjoyed the easy and insightful read. Was wonderful to learn of Grace's experiences across several generations. There was an integrity and honesty in all her actions throughout the book, and a great generosity too. Especially in giving us a Maori perspective, without grudge. |
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By: PICT 005
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2025-10-27 14:52:50 |
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We agreed the story telling is superb and we discussed the historical importance of this memoir. |
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By: NELS 044
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2025-10-15 10:23:11 |
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This thoughtful and informative sharing of Patricia's life and influences, was greatly enjoyed. We wanted to know more about her. Is there to be another, we wonder? |
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By: COROM 005
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2025-09-29 12:12:13 |
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Not all of the group finished reading this book, some felt it could have been more interesting and maybe have more detail about the bringing up the writer's family. Those that finished it felt it improved in the last quarter with the discussion about racism in childrens' books and the writer's attempt to prevent the circulation of a particular book within the school system. Also interesting was the background and genesis of the novels such as 'Baby No Eyes'. |
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By: WELL 020
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2025-09-04 09:16:58 |
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Enjoyed by most members, we discussed this book at length! |
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By: WHANGA 004
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2025-07-09 10:12:38 |
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Beautiful writing - a must for all New Zealanders. |
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By: DUNED 012
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2025-05-07 10:35:42 |
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We all enjoyed this thoughtful and humble story of Patricia Grace. On the surface, a happy, honest and wise book about a remarkable woman who never blew her own trumpet. The life of a writer is fascinating and very rooted in her experiences and the people she knew and encountered throughout her life. |
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By: COOKS 001
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2025-05-02 07:02:50 |
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We found this book to be an enjoyable read, a social commentary of the time. Her style in the book was moderated and thoughtful, unlike her stories where characters seem to pop out of the pages. Some of us resonated with her school experiences and found her M?ori perspective enlightening. We agreed that her parents must have been strong people to have survived the racist attitudes that were shown from both sides of their families earlier in their marriage. Grace is a very graceful, sincere person and this shows through in the book. |
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By: TAUR 005
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2025-03-17 11:24:37 |
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Insightful. A very good read. We enjoyed this book - for some of us it reminded us of our childhood. An honest book. |
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By: NELS 040
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2025-03-03 10:42:15 |
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An interesting insight into a well lived N.Z. life - from both sides. |
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By: ROTO 017
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2024-10-07 12:12:51 |
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We really liked this book. It was so well-written and promoted a great discussion. |
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By: AUCK 335
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2024-08-14 14:17:40 |
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This book was enjoyed by all. We thought it was an easy to read account of the author's life which gave interesting insights into many of her works. Having just read Potiki we found the links between reality and the novel specially interesting. |
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By: NELS 020
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2024-08-01 14:57:54 |
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Remarkable woman. The book generated a lot of discussion about N.Z. education and treatment of Maori. |
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By: CHCH 068
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2024-06-10 10:25:15 |
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While the book was enjoyable, members who'd read some of her books say they were more interesting than her memoir. |
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By: AUCK 116
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2023-12-18 12:02:46 |
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We loved her book, just as we have liked her other books. It was interesting to have an insight into her world, especially the importance of family which was her rock. One of our group had actually spent time with her on a children's book tour - and enjoyed her company. |
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By: WHAKA 017
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2023-10-30 10:05:32 |
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On the whole the group's opinion of the book was 'a disappointing read'. Everyone enjoyed the beginning but then it seemed to run out of steam. The end became a little tedious and seemed to divert from Grace's own life. There appeared little acknowledgement of Grace's European background, and seemed to centre only on her Maori ethnicity. This book was disappointing for those who had enjoyed her previous books. |
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By: GISB 001
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2023-10-02 12:56:19 |
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Everyone enjoyed this book. |
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By: CHCH 001
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2023-10-02 09:57:24 |
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The book evoked memories for the majority of the book group. Many were familiar with other books written by Patricia Grace. All found it very easy to read - a popular choice. |
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By: WELL 046
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2023-09-13 12:05:42 |
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We all very much enjoyed it. We liked the modest, unpretentious tone, and authenticity. |
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By: WANAK 010
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2023-09-08 09:20:05 |
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Some of our group found it a bit difficult to get started but with encouragement from others were really pleased they persevered. The teachers amongst us read with interest the descriptions of schooling, teachers expectations of Patricia and the impact this can have on our young people today. A fascinating insight into Patricias life. |
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By: WHANGA 002
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2023-08-16 13:39:42 |
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Everyone was pleased to have read 'From the Centre'. Patricia's memories of her childhood brought forth great discussion re similar experiences. Ideas came forward as to how one would write their own memoir! Historic facts were also of interest. It seemed pertinent that last month's book was 'Jerningham', which also discussed our Colonial history. We recommend 'From the Centre'. The notes were useful. |
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By: TURA 001
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2023-08-07 10:20:42 |
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What a great book about growing up in New Zealand, with all the history and being Maori. Great insight into Patricia's life and the writing of all her great stories and books. Thank you! |
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By: TIMAR 019
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2023-07-24 09:37:42 |
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Lots of interesting discussion, very relevant to these times. We felt Patricia Grace's fiction writing style is more successful than her non-fiction. |
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By: NELS 031
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2023-06-21 12:57:51 |
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Those that had read her books really enjoyed finding out more about her life. We could relate to her Kiwi upbringing. |
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By: WELL 221
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2023-06-07 10:27:32 |
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Enjoyed the insights into New Zealand race relations in the twentieth century. Admired the tenacity of Patricia Grace and her quiet, yet determined manner. |
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By: ROTO 002
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2023-05-10 12:45:06 |
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Patricia Grace's memoir reads well as a record of life in postwar N.Z. - giving insight into the education system, life growing up in the suburbs, racism, and the development of the urban marae. The joy of reading a N.Z. memoir is the shared experiences of the writer and the reader and our group experienced this, particularly the teacher training. We felt we now know what Patricia Grace did, but we don't know much more of who she is and what she feels. Her very private person is maintained. A very subtle, nuanced memoir. |
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By: TEPUK 003
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2023-05-03 12:06:13 |
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Most really enjoyed the book and the discussion questions. |
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By: TAKA 001
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2023-04-11 17:35:54 |
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A very much enjoyed book, and great discussion as a consequence re early experiences at school, racism; the enjoyment of communal whan?u living; her perseverance and description of how she came to be the writer she is. |
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By: NELS 062
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2023-03-13 10:18:32 |
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Unanimous '4' from everyone. Provided a great discussion about racial and political issues. We loved her understated and gracious viewpoint. Strong recommendation for all NZ'ers to read. |
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By: TAKA 004
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2023-01-09 10:24:45 |
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Fascinating account of a bicultural life - so understated and subtle. One often had to read between the lines. All the group enjoyed 'From the Centre' and it raised a myriad of discussion points. |
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By: INVER 001
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2022-10-13 13:04:18 |
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All of us are familiar with Patricia Grace's books and really enjoyed reading about her life. We especially appreciated the great insight into the experience of Maori growing up in N.Z. and the issues that people face. |
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By: AUCK 143
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2022-10-05 13:24:17 |
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Most people in the group really enjoyed it. A wonderful insight to a Maori upbringing and lived life. Such determination in building a thoroughly authentic meeting house and Marae. Patricia touches on the prejudice she experienced but she also does not appear to be bitter. |
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By: DARF 004
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2022-10-01 21:50:24 |
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Only 2 in the group read it. Most of us attempted but found the content too much of everyday (however this appealed to those that did read it). Had expected more. |
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