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By: CHCH 449
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2025-06-19 13:50:04 |
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We all enjoyed reading about Rosemary Riddell and applauded her achievements alongside personal challenges. However, most of us felt the book could have been condensed and occasionally the writing style made for tedious reading. |
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By: WANAK 010
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2025-05-02 22:05:43 |
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Those of us with little experience of the court system found this book to be quite an eye opener. Some of our group didn’t like the style of writing. Interesting discussion around the justice system and how frustrating it must be. |
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By: STRAT 001
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2025-04-08 14:54:47 |
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We found this memoir to be well-written and entertaining. We thought the author very brave to share some of her personal life. Not an easy thing to do. |
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By: CHCH 478
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2025-04-08 12:04:29 |
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Easy read - provoked a lot of discussion. |
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By: HAMIL 029
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2024-12-03 10:13:17 |
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We all enjoyed this book of essays. Riddell's tone is light but she raises serious issues that we enjoyed discussing. It gave us an insight into the way judges work and the frustrations of the role. We were touched, too, by her honesty in discussing her personal life and the loss of her daughter. |
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By: PAIHIA 001
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2024-11-24 11:42:46 |
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Interesting book, nearly everyone liked it, good discussions. |
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By: TAKA 001
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2024-11-12 15:29:00 |
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People liked what they learned about the Family Court and how hard it is to make judgements taking everything into consideration. We did not like the style of the book though. |
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By: DUNED 005
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2024-10-21 11:46:40 |
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We didn't think Riddell was a great writer, but she appealed a s a humane judge, and we learned a lot about our system. The book gave rise to plenty of discussion. |
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By: TAUM 003
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2024-09-02 12:49:37 |
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A very interesting and enjoyable book - especially to a group of retired teachers who completely empathised with the author's frustration at not being able to say what she really thought! |
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By: DUNED 022
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2024-06-05 14:55:47 |
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Interesting for those with no experience of Courts or the justice system, revealing the many factors involved in fair sentencing. The first 4 chapters were particularly enlightening. |
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By: NELS 023
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2024-05-08 12:17:19 |
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On the whole our group enjoyed this book. It only scored 3/5 because of the writing, which we felt made it a journal. But our discussion was robust and lengthy and we all admired Rosemary and her honesty. The notes and questions were excellent. |
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By: OHOPE 001
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2024-03-06 11:44:27 |
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This book generated much discussion about the humanity of judges, and flaws in the judicial system. Everyone present had enjoyed it, but some complained that there were too many quotes. Pleased it was about the New Zealand system by a lady judge. |
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By: MATAM 001
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2024-02-21 13:29:58 |
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Rosemary Riddell's book 'To Be Fair' gave us a good start to our year with her descriptions of work as a District Court Judge. There were many topics for discussion, which was very spirited at times. The questions were very good. All in all an enlightening, and at times, amusing read. |
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By: NAP 011
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2023-11-24 20:27:35 |
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Interesting topic but the group felt that it was clumsily written. Unfortunately little enthusiasm to recommend this book. |
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By: WAIHEK 001
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2023-11-16 15:02:50 |
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Interesting read. It was encouraging to understand how the judges were contributing to rehabilitating the young offenders. |
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By: AUCK 247
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2023-10-19 14:48:59 |
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Good discussion within the group. Found the book informative and funny. A good read overall. Some members didn't like the writing style. |
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By: CHCH 257
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2023-10-18 14:25:24 |
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A very readable, instructive and compassionate account of humanity, including that of the author. |
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By: DUNED 111
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2023-07-12 11:08:06 |
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Interesting book made more down to earth by her lovely sense of humour. All loved the book. |
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By: LEVIN 001
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2023-06-21 12:46:14 |
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Some members really enjoyed it. Many were disappointed however, felt it was light weight. Covered a number of interesting topics but seemed to leave things in mid air. |
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By: MAYF 001
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2023-06-15 11:52:54 |
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A very interesting book. |
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By: MOSG 004
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2023-05-04 12:05:02 |
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Most enjoyable - we learnt heaps about the 'justice' system and a life of a judge. |
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By: BLENH 003
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2023-04-24 13:46:15 |
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Vigorous discussion of issues raised in the book. Gives a good insight into the judicial world. Appreciated the humour within. Worth reading. |
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By: WELL 130
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2023-03-30 13:34:14 |
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An amusing and light-weight read. Appreciated stories about herself, less so stories about others eg. judges. |
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By: OXF 002
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2023-02-08 14:20:47 |
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Very well received. Stimulated a 2 hour discussion, much of it around family abuse and education. We chuckled at the lighter moments in the book. |
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By: CHCH 294
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2023-02-02 13:18:54 |
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Everyone enjoyed the book, but felt the notes were not about the book - more about the legal system. |
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By: AUCK 422
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2022-10-19 22:12:55 |
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We quite enjoyed this balanced account of what goes on in the Courtroom. It was humorous, but showed respect for the institution, and sensitivity to people at their lowest ebb. |
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