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Return to Harikoa Bay

Marshall, Owen

  9 Reviews

A story a day could very well keep the doctor away... short and perfectly formed, the 33 stories in this collection are a tonic, distilling the essence of life in New Zealand.

In these thoughtful vignettes, the wide variety of relatable people, the recognisable landscapes, and the author's ability to fully inhabit each of the characters, ensures this is a book to savour.

Pages
302
Year
2022

Reviews

WELL 012
21-10-2024
Our favourite story was 'Return to Harikoa Bay', as many of us reminisced about baches by the beach as children.
CHCH 552
19-09-2024
Beautiful collection of short stories, we really loved the author's ability to write from different perspectives and the distinctly 'kiwi' feel to a lot of the stories.
TAUP 012
28-08-2024
Not a book many could read from cover to cover, but lovely short stories. A great coffee table book, or one to take on holiday.
WELL 041
23-05-2024
This book was largely much enjoyed. We think Owen Marshall writes beautifully and is a master of the short story. Each story was a pleasure to read. However, one or two of the group find short stories too short, preferring the longer format of novels, biographies etc.
AUCK 443
07-05-2024
The group felt that the stories were very NZ oriented. Marshall is a visual writer and the settings tended to define the characters and their feelings/emotions. The stories also tended to reflect Marshall's own experiences and observations which made them very relatable to us as NZ readers. Comparing them with Katherine Mansfield's and Janet Frame's short stories, which we did, they seemed a little pedestrian. On average our preference was to give the collection of stories a 3.
CHCH 518
15-01-2024
This book convinced several in our group that short stories were an enjoyable read. We all liked the title story in particular.
AUCK 422
04-12-2023
Our main discussion was about the title story, so this rating was based on this one story. First time we have ever unanimously given such a high score! But such a perceptive and beautifully written story, that we could all relate to in some way. It stimulated a great discussion.
ROTO 003
25-10-2023
We enjoyed the snippets of people's lives and characterisations. Some thought they'd like the stories to develop more. Great that so many were N.Z. based. Personally I loved them.
LOWER 024
13-09-2023
Well-written; we liked the different voices...male, female, different ages. Authentic settings and we enjoyed those set in N.Z. Some people didn't get into it or finish.