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By: CHCH 020
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2025-06-10 19:37:38 |
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We thought there was no better way of bringing up human exploitation but in a fictitious way as it brings it home. It was deftly written and nothing was too laboured. Whether or not someone within the corporate sector would really be compelled to carry out their own investigations which may or may not result in success was questioned. The stakes are high but we all agreed that privilege of status and advantages of connections and background is useful! We doubted anything much had changed no matter how much we wanted to believe it had. |
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By: DUNED 004
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2025-04-07 12:02:36 |
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An important issue. Reception was mixed. Some felt that the subplots distracted from the central issue. |
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By: CHCH 095
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2025-03-10 11:58:09 |
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Group members agreed this book was certainly food for thought as to how much we know, and can know about, the clothing in our wardrobes and how we can help in lowering the mountain of discarded clothing, both globally and locally. Recommended to other groups. |
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By: WELL 120
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2025-01-31 11:29:02 |
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Most of us loved it. |
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By: BALCL 001
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2025-01-16 12:06:41 |
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Highly recommended by our group. Thought provoking and challenging. Well-written with great compassion and understanding for the victims. |
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By: WAIKA 013
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2024-12-16 12:57:03 |
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Nearly all our members really enjoyed this book. Good storyline and character development. Great title. |
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By: WESTP 006
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2024-10-07 10:40:28 |
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So authentic, that several group members had to check if it was a Non Fiction book. |
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By: ONAWE 001
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2024-09-02 13:45:13 |
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Wonderful book - thought provoking and so real. Enjoyed by all. |
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By: WELL 189
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2024-07-13 11:52:19 |
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The writer did a good job illustrating and explaining the complexity of the fashion industry. And the subject started a great discussion on economics and international trade, and the role of consumers, corporates, governments, regulators and NGOs in this space. The scene interviewing 'Presto' customers outside the "Black Friday" sales a few days after the scandal had broken was quite chilling. The first half was more interesting, the second half felt more forced and would have benefited from a good edit, and we found it was all a bit too neatly tied up at the end, and thus less believable. |
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By: CHCH 312
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2024-04-29 10:10:26 |
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A provoking and challenging read about the sourcing, production and supply chains we consume. The main characters were interesting and their stories interwove well. The 'ethical' ending was tidy but not entirely satisfying. |
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By: NELS 011
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2024-04-22 11:45:54 |
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Very mixed reviews from our group - several didn't finish it. One felt it very badly written. One also said that the number of characters made it very confusing. A very topical book about ethics and the 'slow clothes' movement, and knowing where our clothes come from. |
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By: WANAK 010
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2024-04-08 09:00:37 |
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Most of the group enjoyed this book. It highlighted the corporate driver throughout which showed the power of money over Human Resources. We felt it also portrayed corrupt societies worldwide, not only in America. The end of the book was a bit ‘preachy’ and did not really show the improvement of changing lives through court cases. |
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By: PICT 001
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2024-01-10 14:41:10 |
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The majority of people didn't enjoy the writing style. Thought the book too long and stretched out. |
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By: NELS 043
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2024-01-10 14:40:20 |
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All felt this was an essential read, and the use of a fictional book made for quite a thriller. Some felt there was too much detail distracting from character development. Overall it was enjoyed by all. |
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By: ROTO 010
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2023-12-10 15:25:30 |
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Lots of conversation from our group, acknowledging the real plight of subjugated workers for Western companies, and our personal consumer efforts to not support nefarious clothes brands (sewing our own, upcycling, visiting the backs of our closets for 'new' threads). Most of us felt the writing was tedious especially the 'happy ending' that was American-candy style, contrived. |
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By: AUCK 277
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2023-11-06 14:57:57 |
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The book polarised opinions in our group. Two found it tedious or lacking interest. Several others were very enthusiastic and commented that it held their interest throughout. One member said it was obviously written by a man, due to its style ( this not in any way negative!) and another member agreed. We enjoyed the fact that the content was so different to many other books we've read, and acknowledged the sad fact of how closely it was based on real events. Very challenging to our thinking! |
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By: LOWER 023
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2023-09-14 13:14:21 |
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We found the book informative. Main characters were engaging and well drawn, but the style of narrative overwritten with too many irrelevant details, and way too many adjectives. |
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By: TAUR 059
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2023-09-02 15:10:59 |
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Most of the group enjoyed the book. Although we were all aware of the issues the story portrayed we all agreed it was a thought provoking topic and a disquieting insight into how people’s shopping choices perpetuate the issues raised in the books. Depressingly, we could all see that no matter what, it would be nearly impossible for much to change. Opinions on the writing style and the characters varied, but most agreed it seemed the characters were created purely to perpetuate everything the author wanted to portray without any real depth or feeling, and it was hard to be engaged by them. |
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By: CHCH 545
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2023-08-07 14:19:15 |
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Really good and thought-provoking. Makes you aware when shopping. |
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By: WELL 187
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2023-07-31 11:37:11 |
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Half the group felt the subject matter would have had more impact as a non-fiction book - they felt the characters weren't rounded enough. The other half enjoyed the book very much. The subject of greed and large corporations provided an interesting and vigorous discussion. |
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By: TAIRU 001
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2023-07-12 11:51:06 |
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Excellent choice which evoked good discussion on economics and international trading policies. |
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By: TAUP 012
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2023-05-22 12:19:02 |
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Some loved this book and gave it a 5. Others found it enjoyable but hard to follow at first. Overall a good read. |
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By: OMAR 001
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2023-05-08 10:17:48 |
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Fab-ul-ous read. Great plot and extremely well-written. Highly recommend. |
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By: CHCH 422
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2023-05-01 17:01:55 |
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Well researched. "Couldn't put it down". It was a read that required your full attention. There were many descriptive passages which hindered the pace of the story. Group was keen to read other titles by this author - had received and read 'The Tears of Dark Water' previously. |
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By: NELS 062
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2023-04-13 14:15:06 |
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Mixed views though all agreed the issue of abuse of overseas workers in the garment industry was important. A good example of fiction addressing real issues like corruption, bribery, power and privilege. Thought provoking and a cry to change our buying habits. |
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By: WHITBY 003
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2023-03-23 14:12:06 |
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A very worthwhile read. It generated a good discussion. It raises awareness of the global disparities created by the capitalist economic model. It is focused on the garment industry but applies to whatever uses maximum profit as the guiding principle. |
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By: AUCK 414
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2023-02-27 12:47:05 |
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Everyone loved the content of the story. A couple thought the writing was a bit formulaic. |
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By: KATIK 004
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2023-01-27 12:21:35 |
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Book was enjoyed by most. |
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By: BLENH 023
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2023-01-09 12:07:46 |
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Exciting, well-written book with a very topical subject. Left most of us determined to check the country of origin much more carefully. It also led to a lively discussion on who is driving this slave labour, corporates/shareholders or customers. |
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