Great discussion, I think is the best NZ book I’ve read -and I’m a kiwi - so many NZ books are drab and too self consciously literary, it takes a writer with real talent to make something so full of humour an real life. I’ve always thought writing comedy is way way harder than tragedy, ordinary people are are funny - funny ha ha and funny ridiculous - in our lives and only a great writer can really get their hands around that, it’s what makes Dickens so great. EC is so obviously a fan of reading and all kinds of books, she’s a breath of fresh air.
Such a wonderful read. I enjoyed the satire SO much and the dialogue among the kiwi activists - their vernacular, left-wing views, tendency to abbreviate words unnecessarily. It’s very topical and DARK. And it’s funny and races along. A very skilful piece of work.
I love the part a little before 13:47 where Catton mentions feeling like a main character. I saw many similarities between Mira and I, and a little embarrassingly, was upset that she and Robert did not get together, because I wanted the character I was most similar to to have some fun with the rich and mysterious man! lol
Great discussion, I think is the best NZ book I’ve read -and I’m a kiwi - so many NZ books are drab and too self consciously literary, it takes a writer with real talent to make something so full of humour an real life. I’ve always thought writing comedy is way way harder than tragedy, ordinary people are are funny - funny ha ha and funny ridiculous - in our lives and only a great writer can really get their hands around that, it’s what makes Dickens so great. EC is so obviously a fan of reading and all kinds of books, she’s a breath of fresh air.
Such a great 'interview'. I love all the stuff about Macbeth and then … Emma!
Such a wonderful read. I enjoyed the satire SO much and the dialogue among the kiwi activists - their vernacular, left-wing views, tendency to abbreviate words unnecessarily. It’s very topical and DARK. And it’s funny and races along. A very skilful piece of work.
Brilliant book
I love the part a little before 13:47 where Catton mentions feeling like a main character. I saw many similarities between Mira and I, and a little embarrassingly, was upset that she and Robert did not get together, because I wanted the character I was most similar to to have some fun with the rich and mysterious man! lol
This novel is overpraised, overdramatised chick lit.