Hand Me Down World
Jones, LloydMoving from Africa to Europe, a young woman undertakes an ambitious journey involving child kidnapping, people smuggling and exploitation. Revealed to us by the people she encounters, a surprising story unfolds. It is a tale of love and betrayal and need; a contemporary odyssey that compels you to keep on reading to uncover the truth. What's Hot - June 2013
Comments from Groups
We agreed that it was well written and a clever idea. It was better understood when read twice...It enthused us to read more of Lloyd Jones. Wellington 074 The retrospective telling of the story of Ines through the eye-witness accounts makes the reader work, think, nut-out what is happening here. Mana 001 Excellent book with lots of discussion about the mother-child bond. A thought-provoking rather than an enjoyable read. Auckland 050 All his [the author's] books are 'just so different' and yet every one has been enjoyable and engaging. No one was disappointed with this very different story. Auckland 133 Clever writing with good descriptions. A truly international story. Christchurch 071
Pages
313
313
Year
2010
2010
Reviews
16-10-2023
Mixed reviews from the group. The book was found to be generally hard to follow at the beginning, with the variety of different narrators. There were mixed views about enjoyment of the book. Perseverance was needed to stick with the narrative. The group discussion helped to complete understanding as some experienced gaps in the plot. Re-reading was sometimes required! Views on hardship and the bonds of belonging were expressed..
12-01-2023
The multiple narrators worked well as a writing device, but it was a bit confusing at times and meant it took a while to work the story out.
15-08-2022
A very mixed range of opinions. Most did not like the writing style, with it going back & forth between present & past, and many different narrators. But two who scored it a 4.5 thoroughly enjoyed the book. The power of a mother's love was discussed in depth.
29-09-2021
Enjoyed this book, and the way it was written.
06-11-2019
4.5-5 stars. Really positive response to the book. Very high scores. Well-written and thought provoking.
21-11-2018
Most felt this was a difficult book to read, and it was at times confusing as there were so many voices telling the story. The story itself did promote some good discussion as it is a touching story of parental love, and it was tied together well at the end.
21-11-2018
We all loved the book a great deal. Most of us found it a bit hard to get into, with all the different characters saying their "bit". We spent a long time discussing the questions and were all keen to re-read it, to put some parts into some clearer order. We can highly recommend this read.
21-11-2018
A lively discussion - most were Lloyd Jones fans, but did find the story disjointed at times. Some felt the stories within the main story were sometimes irrelevant but the superb writing made up for the few disharmonies.
21-11-2018
Much agreement about the clever construction. Everyone enjoyed reading it. Animated discussion which was much longer than usual. We also thought the questions were thought-provoking. We have read other Lloyd Jones books and found them all different. Our local boy - done good!
21-11-2018
This book rated very highly with our group. Discussion revolved around what a mother will do for her child, and how desperate people behave. It was interesting that the story was told by multiple narrators - most thought this added something extra to the story. Surely we would all tell the same story in a different way.
21-11-2018
Awesome read. Stimulated a lot of discussion, and opened some eyes!
21-11-2018
The women enjoyed the book - the men, less so!