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Pet

Chidgey, Catherine

  4 Reviews

Visiting her father in a rest home, Justine meets his caregiver Sonia, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her teacher of thirty years earlier, thrusting Justine back to the tumultuous year when she was twelve ... to a Wellington convent school and the charismatic Mrs Price of 'divide and conquer' classroom rules, casual cruelty, and questionable power dynamics.

Told in two timelines, this is an unsettling, all-too believable psychological thriller of misplaced trust and 1980s suburbia.

Comments from BDS Reviewers

"This is a powerful novel that includes so much."

"I loved the book and couldn't put it down. Since finishing it, I can't stop thinking about the issues it covered."

"The book gives an accurate picture of life in the 90s, right down to TV programmes, food, clothing, and the innocence of young children in those times. I loved it."

"I enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot and the pace at which it moves."

"The characters seem very real. It's well done."

"I enjoyed the use of metaphors throughout the novel."

"The element of mystery in the book is great and it makes it hard to put the book down."

Pages
349
Year
2023

Reviews

TAKA 004
21-08-2024
We enjoyed reading this book - the author set the scene of the 1980s from a pre-teen's perspective with skill and detail. She built tension with a slow burn, and most of us were gripped till the end. Discussion was animated, including sharing of some of our own memorable school experiences. We also had the insight that the author subtly blurred the lines of abuse, and pointed out our tolerance of it in the 1980s and before.
CHCH 125
05-08-2024
An enjoyable read, rekindled many childhood memories and generated lots of discussion.
BLENH 029
25-06-2024
Well-written, bleak content. Most group members found the book difficult to read because of the predatory teacher and the vulnerable student. Lots of discussion.
CHCH 544
16-04-2024
6 out of 7 loved this book and it brought back many memories of our own school experience. It was an easy exciting read.