|
By: WANAK 010
|
2024-03-11 19:33:04 |
|
|
Enjoyed by all our group. A few of us had read it before and delved back into it again. A thought provoking read and rated highly by the group. |
|
|
By: CHCH 268
|
2024-01-15 10:37:23 |
|
|
Thought provoking read which took a while to get into due to some rather unsympathetic characters, but as we continued it became more engrossing. Rather unrealistic ending, especially the Turk/Brittany plotline. |
|
|
By: TAUP 007
|
2023-12-14 13:54:29 |
|
|
|
Excellent book. Thought provoking and enjoyed by all. |
|
|
By: WHAKA 019
|
2023-11-02 12:38:26 |
|
|
The whole group enjoyed this book and we had a good discussion about it. |
|
|
By: TAUP 012
|
2023-10-18 13:39:55 |
|
|
|
Most of the group enjoyed this book. |
|
|
By: CHCH 155
|
2023-08-15 10:07:19 |
|
|
|
One of the best discussions we have had. Initially confronting but such a great story. Very heartening. |
|
|
By: BLENH 024
|
2023-07-10 11:58:07 |
|
|
|
This book was extremely well-written. It is full of a variety of emotions and absolutely did not disappoint with the expected twist, something this author is known for. Would highly recommend this easy to read book. Some of us read it within 48 hours. |
|
|
By: MORRI 002
|
2023-06-07 12:55:49 |
|
|
|
This one provided a great discussion, and we all rated it highly. |
|
|
By: MAST 004
|
2023-05-04 11:10:10 |
|
|
|
Wonderfully descriptive and thought provoking. |
|
|
By: WELL 221
|
2021-12-10 14:00:26 |
|
|
|
The whole group enjoyed this - highly recommended. |
|
|
By: WELL 168
|
2021-11-01 11:12:35 |
|
|
|
The group all considered it a truly tremendous read! Very revealing. |
|
|
By: NELS 061
|
2021-05-31 13:08:41 |
|
|
|
The beginning of this book was quite distressing to read, but very relevant in today's 'Black Lives Matter' movement. Fab book. |
|
|
By: MILT 003
|
2021-05-21 12:03:58 |
|
|
|
Our group was impressed with the author's research into this story. She began her research with people of colour and listened to their story. She talked to white supremacists who had changed their lives around, and were now working for the good of all people, and trying to help kids into a better life. Our group enjoyed the book - our discussion was about Ruth and the hardship she had to go through. |
|
|
By: NELS 007
|
2020-11-11 10:24:04 |
|
|
|
Best discussion we have ever had. Relevant today. Book about racism and white supremacy and privilege in the USA. |
|
|
By: DUNED 099
|
2020-07-29 11:45:53 |
|
|
|
Excellent book for robust, interesting and helpful sharing of perspectives. |
|
|
By: WHAKA 018
|
2020-07-27 14:36:53 |
|
|
|
Book loved by all. |
|
|
By: CHCH 480
|
2019-09-04 09:53:30 |
|
|
|
The group felt that the writer provided a very balanced view of characters and issues, showing no bias. The writer provoked individual thinking, allowing the reader to make up their own mind without being coerced by the writer's opinion. Obviously very well researched. |
|
|
By: CHCH 001
|
2019-04-15 11:47:21 |
|
|
|
A mammoth book, confrontational, educational and brilliantly researched. Having each of the central characters narrate their own stories allowed the reader insights into their lives and backgrounds - a powerful novel based on real happenings. |
|
|
By: INVER 015
|
2019-04-15 11:37:48 |
|
|
|
Generally enjoyed by all our book club members. |
|
|
By: CHCH 113
|
2019-04-15 11:37:02 |
|
|
|
'Small Great Things' led to one of our most animated discussions, as we explored what was meant by 'white privilege', and how we had all benefited from this. The topic was an absorbing one, but all thought there were several coincidences that were very unlikely ( eg. the discovery, by accident, of the baby's full test report), and that Turk Bauer was most unlikely to have transformed himself in the way he did. 2 nurses in the group found the topic particularly interesting! |
|
|
By: CHCH 320
|
2019-04-15 11:32:53 |
|
|
|
A challenging read but a highly worthwhile one. All but one of our group scored it 8 or higher, out of 10. Picoult is a superb writer who researched this book to the "nth" degree. It was close to perfection how each character was portrayed, and how she alternated chapters between the three main characters. As well as the overt racism, we remembered vividly some of the more subtle instances of discrimination in the story. Some found the ending contrived and a little corny, but it will remain a book which generated introspective reflection. Well done, Picoult. |
|
|
By: WHAKA 017
|
2019-04-15 11:21:09 |
|
|
|
"Extremely good read; confronting; enlightening, and "I never realised how racist I was" - were some of the comments. Clever use of a story to portray a common issue, with all view points well explored. Some members felt the ending was poor - having achieved the purpose of discussion on racism, she wrapped up the ends to provide the classic happy ending with only minimal reference to the story. |
|
|
By: WHITBY 004
|
2019-04-15 11:16:02 |
|
|
|
Very readable. We felt the ending was contrived and unnecessary. A great book for BDS. Great in depth discussions re racism and white supremacists. |
|
|
By: TAIH 002
|
2019-04-15 11:14:07 |
|
|
|
Tremendous discussion - the subject really resonated with the group. I think we all came face to face with the fact we were not as unprejudiced as previously thought! |
|
|
By: HAMIL 029
|
2019-04-03 09:24:20 |
|
|
We were very like the Christchurch group. The horror in Christchurch greatly affected our reading of the book - most of us laid the book aside for a time (those who actually read it). We are divided over Picoult's merits as a writer - is she a great commentator on current issues or just someone who knows what the reading public wants So - the book deals with racism from several points of view - good - but the plot is over-eventful and some characters unconvincing - not so good. But we did have an interesting discussion on racism and prejudice in relation to this text. |
|
|
By: CHCH 449
|
2018-10-07 22:18:42 |
|
|
The group was truly divided on this one - two members loved it, two members hated it (although only one of those two actually read it all), another three members had mixed feelings, and one just couldn't find the energy to read it past the first few chapters. Consequently we had a lively discussion on racial issues, characters and prejudices. |
|
| |
