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Title:	Waters, The
Authors:	Nixon, Carl
Genre:	Fiction: New Zealand
Pages:	279
Year:	2023
Language:	English
Description:	THE WATERS Nixon, Carl; published 2023 Pat Waters was never going to be content keeping the family farm going in Governor's Bay, but his ill-fated decision to sink the money from its sale into a New Brighton subdivision in 1979, will have devastating consequences for he and his wife and children . Written in 21 linked stories that follow the Waters for four decades, this is the fascinating saga of a dysfunctional family with all of their complex relationships, their love and neglect of one another, and their attempts to overcome their past. Meticulous descriptions of daily life and its evocative Canterbury setting ensure this compassionate dissection of a family is both relatable and nostalgic.
Categories:	Fiction, Fiction NZ, Short Story/Essay, Contemporary, Family Saga, Relationships, Content may disturb, 2025 Titles

Reviews

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By: CHCH 383		2025-12-01 13:52:04

Not a difficult read, but the structure was not helpful.

By: AUCK 335		2025-11-22 18:08:08

There was a mixed response to this book as some did not like the short story format. All agreed that it was well-written but found it rather dark and depressing. In describing the inter-generational effects of violence and trauma the author gives little reason for hope. We all agreed we would not recommend this book.

By: GERAL 006		2025-11-10 11:45:12

As a short story collection it is well-written, but most read it as a novel and found it disjointed. Interesting discussion though.

By: AUCK 376		2025-10-15 09:55:03

WE loved the N.Z references in Carl Nixon's writing, and the way in which the point-of-view of the narrator shifted. The family dynamic was depressing, but the pace and quality of the writing were excellent.

By: ASHB 016		2025-09-19 16:59:54

A lot struggled with the format of this book, with each chapter being like a short story (which it was but some of the readers didn't realise that initially) so it was hard until you got a wee way through the story and started to link it together. Once it clicked though, we all enjoyed it. We enjoyed it being set in ChCh and liked reading about local places that we knew where they were. Lots of discussion..

By: MAST 005		2025-07-16 10:26:25

Although 'The Waters' is described as a short story format our group disliked the structure. Stories were well-written but we thought the disjointed structure detracted from the book.

By: GISB 012		2025-06-23 12:56:37

We loved this novel - short stories threaded together so well. Great writing. Keen to read more of Nixon.

By: THAM 004		2025-05-21 13:25:29

Easy to follow - once you know it's short stories. Enjoyed enough for people to want to read more of this author. Very N.Z. related - delightful.

By: HURUN 001		2025-03-03 09:55:17

Much discussion about the characters' connections with each other. Some only read the book as 'short stories'; others found the events/happenings too disconnected and not easy to follow.

By: KATIK 002		2024-10-23 13:58:34

Brilliant writer. Liked the detailed way in which he wrote - could bring all the characters together.