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By: CHCH 268
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2022-05-11 13:24:31 |
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Mixed reviews with this book. Some readers liked it, some didn't. We felt there were too many characters and nothing much happened for the first half of the book. Needed to persevere. |
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By: PAIHIA 001
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2022-05-08 14:46:35 |
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If you like that kind of Scandinavian suspenseful writing, you'll like this. We enjoyed reading about a different 'place'. It's about families really though. We really liked it, some more than others. |
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By: CHCH 009
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2022-04-29 13:04:29 |
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Consensus was a slow start, but the plot progressed as you moved into the second half. Writing was of a high standard. |
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By: WHANG 022
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2022-04-11 13:29:37 |
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Those who read this liked it a lot, and read the sequel too. Others couldn't get into it and didn't persevere. |
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By: AUCK 316
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2022-02-08 11:46:46 |
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Very well-written and translated. Insightful. All thought it very good. |
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By: DUNED 058
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2021-12-01 12:12:21 |
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Some of us loved this book, some of us were bored by it - great discussion ensued! |
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By: CHCH 299
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2021-11-08 11:10:04 |
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Several members didn’t finish this one and a few said they ploughed on through to the end even though they didn’t particularly enjoy it. Repetitive, as subtle as a sledgehammer, it took till about the last quarter to actually get engaging, were some of the disparaging comments. Others found an interesting description of a sports-obsessed town, where winning is placed above all else, and saw parallels with some communities in New Zealand. |
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By: TAKA 004
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2021-11-03 12:14:18 |
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Our first book and much enjoyed by all. A slow burn, which became a compelling page turner. The author skillfully developed multiple characters with empathy in this sociological study of a small town. Lots to discuss - including levels of discomfort that the stories within provoked. |
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By: AUCK 058
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2021-10-29 15:00:34 |
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A most engrossing read. A believable portrayal of a declining town and its inhabitants. There was a sense of foreboding from the first page. A glimpse into the lives of teenagers, the haves and the have nots, and the immense pressure that can be put on them. Sensitively written, descriptions of place, the cold, longing etc. were well done. |
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By: WANAK 013
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2021-09-22 12:01:47 |
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We all found this book bleak and distressing as would be expected given the topic. It generated a large amount of discussion. Some found they could not finish it, while others appreciated the lighter moments. Well translated in most parts. |
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By: TIMAR 019
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2021-09-17 11:48:52 |
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Well-written book which promoted much discussion. |
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By: TAUR 036
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2021-06-16 14:30:17 |
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Soooo many questions that we all got a bit fed up! However, we all really enjoyed the book. Great. |
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By: PALMN 006
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2021-05-31 14:41:37 |
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This book was a big read! It created lots of discussion afterwards. Very topical at present. |
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By: AUCK 218
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2021-04-16 14:52:30 |
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Universally enjoyed by the group. |
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By: BREAM 001
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2021-03-12 14:09:33 |
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Our group mostly agreed that it was quite hard to get into. Mostly due to the range of characters. However once started we all agreed it was very thought provoking and an interesting read. |
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By: ASHB 015
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2021-02-03 11:49:58 |
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One of the highest scoring books we have had. Lively discussion. Really enjoyed by members. |
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By: AUCK 348
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2020-11-24 14:29:54 |
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Those who finished the book loved it once they got in to it. Members thought it a great book for parents of boys and girls alike to read. |
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By: AUCK 020
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2020-09-18 14:14:15 |
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A member who lived in a similar ice-bound town in Canada, says the book doesn't exaggerate. |
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By: HAVE 011
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2020-07-09 14:05:27 |
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Mixed feelings. Some are going to hunt down the sequel, others didn't finish it. Accurate portrayal of 'small town' attitudes etc. |
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By: INVER 001
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2020-05-22 12:53:35 |
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We didn't have a meeting, but members seemed to really enjoy this book. |
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By: GORE 007
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2020-05-15 14:55:05 |
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Favourite book in Covid 19!! |
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By: WELL 153
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2020-01-29 14:47:23 |
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Generated a lot of discussion - mixed reviews. Group split - 1/2 loved it, 1/2 struggled. The positives: writing style, characterisation, message, and the focus on different parenting styles. Negatives: ice hockey theme (unfamiliarity), trauma of the events, violence, and the introduction of so many characters at the start (hard to keep up with). Overall those who persevered found the small town life commentary fascinating and compelling. |
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By: AUCK 425
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2019-11-18 13:40:04 |
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Three of us felt the book was in need of a good edit. It was a good story but took too long to tell its tale. Two of us disagreed, and loved it from start to finish. |
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By: WELL 144
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2019-10-18 12:50:37 |
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We loved this book and look forward to its sequel. |
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By: WELL 215
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2019-08-09 13:00:05 |
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Really enjoyed the book. Discussion at our meeting was interesting. We only had the generic book notes , so initiated our own discussion. It was hard not to want to take sides with the characters at times, you felt you knew them well. Appreciated the writing style a lot. |
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