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By: CHCH 449
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2023-08-19 10:45:52 |
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We all enjoyed this book. Being set in New Zealand, in locations and situations some of us are familiar with, made it quite personal. We had good discussions regarding various situations described in the story. |
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By: WHAKA 009
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2023-05-24 14:42:29 |
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All thought the book "contrived". An easy read but not enjoyed. |
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By: AUCK 360
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2023-05-24 13:17:13 |
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A real page turner - not great though as too many plots, and characters needed further development. It read like a movie - well, she is a script writer! Dealt with interesting themes with local descriptions - but not memorable. |
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By: INVER 024
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2022-09-15 13:14:31 |
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Everybody enjoyed this book very much. |
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By: WANG 011
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2022-08-31 10:06:22 |
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We enjoyed the story, partly because it was about N.Z. and it moved along quickly. In fact probably too quickly, with information about too many subjects: Maori/Pakeha cultural differences, food, wrong side of the blanket, paediatric operations, rape and murder, gangs, nosey journalists, outrageously coincidental discovery of Roimata by Rachel, religious belief in healing by prayer and child abuse. |
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By: WANAK 010
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2022-08-03 16:51:17 |
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Highly recommended by everyone in our group. Lots of themes to discuss with many of our group making links to their own upbringing and the events in our childhood that shape our personality. Loved the N.Z. setting and character portrayals. Felt the author dealt with some hugely complex issues with sensitivity. Gave us all more insight into issues faced by our doctors and nurses. |
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By: AUCK 014
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2022-06-19 17:27:10 |
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The group enjoyed the book and it resulted in much discussion about the many issues it covered. Lovely to read a book set in Auckland; the context was realistic and topical and the treatment of child abuse was sensitively covered. Pleasing that the portrayal of Maori and gangs in literature was, for a change, in a positive light. Delightful read - highly recommended. |
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By: AUCK 183
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2022-05-04 16:55:24 |
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Most people enjoyed this book. Auckland parts were fun, learnt some things about working in hospitals. Lively discussions followed regarding relationships and family issues. |
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By: CHCH 240
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2022-03-26 10:35:37 |
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An easy read and not too complicated. Being a NZ story, it integrated mixed cultures well and made it interesting. A good portrayal of characters, showing strength, determination and perseverance. |
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By: PALMN 001
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2022-03-02 11:35:32 |
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Two members thought the book really great. The other 9 were mixed but all read it. The discussion was brilliant, so altogether we were all glad to have read it. |
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By: AUCK 055
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2022-03-02 10:43:52 |
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The book was enjoyed by all members and much discussion generated. All grades were 4.5 or 5, so a high recommendation. Good to see the familiar places in Auckland too. |
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By: DUNED 029
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2022-02-28 17:05:18 |
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We all agreed this was a great 'yarn', very readable and well-written with plenty of issues to discuss. Despite a somewhat improbable story it raised issues of relationships in families, the need for reconciliation and forgiveness, the healing of past hurts, with an unsolved murder mystery thrown in! An impressive debut novel by a NZ author. |
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By: POKE 002
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2022-01-10 10:07:11 |
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We live locally, and work at Starship. Great book! |
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By: OWAKA 001
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2021-09-27 12:52:04 |
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All enjoyed the book a lot. Felt they were strong characters. Enjoyed the NZ setting. Looking forward to more from this author. |
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By: WAIKA 011
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2021-07-19 11:45:54 |
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One of our members loved it, and read it twice. Two thought it was a "nice little book", and the rest were annoyed by it! Too many themes; anti the term 'Pakeha': the beach scene after 'kidnapping' a child from hospital was implausible, and the list went on and on. |
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By: WELL 104
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2021-07-19 11:43:09 |
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Two of us loved this book - felt characters were well developed and the complexities of life addressed with competence. We gave it a 5. Others in the group were not impressed and felt the style and plot were somewhat clich ridden. Two members found it "boring". All agreed that the Auckland/Waiheke settings were well described, but our debate was over the personalities. In the end, a very mixed response to this writer. |
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By: LOWER 002
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2021-06-25 12:34:56 |
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Two people really disliked this book, but most enjoyed it. It gave rise to lots of discussion and even though there were many perceived inconsistencies in the author's viewpoint, the NZ/Maori family aspects were appreciated by most. |
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By: MARTIN 001
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2021-06-25 12:33:08 |
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Most thought that the characters didn't come across as real. It seemed like the author had tried to cram in as many issues as she could, which didn't really work. |
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By: CHCH 393
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2021-06-09 14:40:05 |
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One of our favourite reads of the year. All were taken forward by the plot. One of our group ( a nurse) felt it was a very realistic portrayal of the hospital scene. |
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By: TEPUK 007
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2020-11-19 12:01:29 |
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Everyone enjoyed the book, particularly as set in NZ - very relevant and topical storyline - could relate to all characters!! |
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By: PALMN 031
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2020-11-19 12:00:18 |
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Great book - we loved the NZ content. |
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By: ASHB 028
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2020-10-05 10:11:38 |
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All members loved this book - a fabulous debut novel. Beautifully crafted, thought-provoking and set in our very own Aotearoa. |
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By: AUCK 058
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2020-09-04 12:43:16 |
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Book enjoyed by all readers. The different characters were believable and the scenes were set well. |
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By: LOWER 009
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2020-08-11 14:20:48 |
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It was great to read a NZ book. Claire became a "real" person to us. It sparked a very lively debate about her predicament with her daughter, and relationships. |
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By: AUCK 208
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2020-08-05 14:08:50 |
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A great read, we very much enjoyed the book. Much to learn about life, and we found Claire amazing. The local content was interesting, and it was clever how aspects of Maori life were brought in. It didn't allow us to know how bad the father was until the end; well-written. 1 person found the book trite after 20 pages!!! |
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By: KATIK 006
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2020-07-31 13:45:17 |
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We really enjoyed this - best book of the year so far! An insight into the darker side of the lives of some of our children, and how our medical professionals have to face them and try to mend them. |
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By: LOWER 008
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2020-07-22 12:46:54 |
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All members enjoyed the book - characters featured were diverse and strong. Loved the setting on Waiheke Island. Discussion was 'full-on' - good set of questions. |
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By: AUCK 133
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2020-06-05 13:38:16 |
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Comments included..."Strong characterisation - all very real and plausible. Pace was satisfying, easy to read. Just enough tension, and a good twist to give us a surprise at the end. Wow factor at the beginning. it was beautiful - a short dialogue almost like a poem. The back and forth time frames moved easily, they flowed and there was no confusion. We loved the locations. We live nearby and really related to every location. That added resonance to the book. We loved it". |
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By: AUCK 293
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2020-05-27 13:49:13 |
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So good to read a NZ author, and a good one at that. Well constructed with believable characters. Good plot with a good ending, she certainly kept you interested. If you live in Auckland it's easy to relate to the setting. |
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By: WELL 008
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2020-05-27 13:47:10 |
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We all enjoyed the book; appreciated the NZ content, good characterisation and interesting plot. Well-written. Thought it would make a good film as author had written for the screen. |
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By: CHCH 312
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2020-05-25 14:37:00 |
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We all really enjoyed this NZ book. Easy read with interesting characters, and a mix of cultural heritages working out how to get along together, and how our pasts shape us. |
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