The fact that this is No 5 in family saga The Cazalet Chronicles probably speaks for itself. In fact, Elizabeth Jane Howard was awarded a CBE in 2002, the same year her autobiography was published, and is the author of 14 highly acclaimed novels. This instalment starts in 1956 and chronicles continuing Cazalet fortunes to […]
■ REVIEW: All Change
Not a page-turner but good enough Read Post »
I’m a big P G Wodehouse fan. I’ve been reading his novels and short stories on and off since high school, when friends of mine put me on to Jeeves and Wooster. Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks is an effort to replicate that singular wit, and it almost gets there. Wodehouse had
■ REVIEW: Jeeves and the Wedding Bells
Close but no cigar, old bean … Read Post »
For his part in the third Crusade, King Richard the Lionheart has won prestige, legendary status and, sadly, enemies within Christian Europe itself. As a result, his journey home becomes fraught with danger. Storms and pirates fade into insignificance when he is detained by Duke Leopold of Austria, a man with a grievance against Richard.
■ REVIEW: A King's Ransom
Well-researched look at medieval politics Read Post »
New Zealand-born Jane lives life in the limelight as editor of woman’s fashion magazines in both Australia and then back in Auckland, New Zealand. She marries Lawrence who features on news channels in New Zealand and is seeking his next news assignment in whatever way he needs to. They go off on a European train
■ REVIEW: The Road from Midnight
Mother never gave up hope Read Post »
An old-age pensioner living the quiet life in a London suburb, Joan’s world is rocked when her name is linked to a spy scandal dating back to the 1940s. Gradually, as she is interviewed by British security services, the tale is told in a series of flashbacks of how she had indeed become part of
■ REVIEW: Red Joan
Youthful enthusiasm leads to treason accusation Read Post »
Fran is in her mid-forties and having a weekend away with her husband and two adult daughters at the wedding of a family friend. She is the first person narrator and, as such, we can see the flaws in her thinking that take her a lot longer to discover for herself. It is soon obvious
■ REVIEW: Someone Else's Wedding
Secrets and judgements at weekend wedding Read Post »
As a disclaimer, let me just say that I’m probably not the target audience for New Zealand novelist and magazine columnist Sarah-Kate Lynch’s books, and the one of her books I have read didn’t really float my boat. However, Lynch’s latest book has made me more of a fan. Against her better judgment, Annie Jordan
This book has enabled me to tick the box on my summer reading bingo card (courtesy Invercargill Public Library), “a book by an author new to you”. It could add, “but will definitely read again”. Tatiana has been so badly behaved as a teenager and young adult that her beloved father has more or less
■ REVIEW: The Inheritance
A romping good read Read Post »
This is an odd little tale. Published posthumously, the manuscript gathered dust in the Hocken Library archive for many years. Illustrated to great – and somewhat dark effect – The Mijo Tree tells the deceptively simple tale of a small seed who wishes to see more than her small corner of the Earth. An ill
■ REVIEW: The Mijo Tree
This fairytale’s not for children Read Post »
This is an almost local novel with part of the story set in Dunedin and Central Otago. It follows the adventures of Lockie Steele as she travels to Argentina in search of material for a new book. It is here that she comes in contact with the Mabon family. Seriously wealthy and connected, they persuade
■ REVIEW: The Silver Gaucho
Confusing but interesting tale Read Post »
