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24th out of 131 books
—
75 voters
Isle of Tears
A vivid and compelling story of enduring love and divided families from one of our bestselling historical novelists.
When armed conflict drives a wedge between Maori and Pakeha, not everyone can choose sides easily. For Isla McKinnon, the choices are bitter. Taken in by local Maori when her parents are brutally murdered, she has grown to womanhood and taken a Maori husband...more
When armed conflict drives a wedge between Maori and Pakeha, not everyone can choose sides easily. For Isla McKinnon, the choices are bitter. Taken in by local Maori when her parents are brutally murdered, she has grown to womanhood and taken a Maori husband...more
Paperback
Published
2009
by HarperCollins
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What I love most about Deborah Challinor's writing, is her ability to tie in New Zealand's Maori heritage and early history of the English arrivals, with a really great story. I've learnt so much more than I ever did during Social Studies at school! : )
This book started so well and I was drawn into Isla's life from the very beginning, but then, close to the end, it sort of fizzled out. It was as if the author had too much to get through and had been told to condense it down 100 pages. Sadly, it...more
This book started so well and I was drawn into Isla's life from the very beginning, but then, close to the end, it sort of fizzled out. It was as if the author had too much to get through and had been told to condense it down 100 pages. Sadly, it...more
I'm not a great fan of historical fiction - probably the only novels in that genre that I've read recently have been because they've been highly recommended by a friend or have been part of a group-read or challenge - but, having said that, I do admire the enormous amount of research that goes into making one of these novels authentic.
Deborah Challinor is a successful author and a historian, and so I expected this to be well-written and engaging, and it was - I very much enjoyed it. It's set in...more
Deborah Challinor is a successful author and a historian, and so I expected this to be well-written and engaging, and it was - I very much enjoyed it. It's set in...more
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This was better than I expected - a good counterpoint to most European accounts of the New Zealand/Land/Maori Wars, and gave the impression that the author had done her research. I agree with the other reviewers who thought that the ending felt rushed, to be fair there was a lot of story to get resolved in there! Definitely an enjoyable read. I thought the cover art was very bland though - just a generic epic romance cover (big model head, vague scenery) with little sense of the cultural backgro...more
Jun 27, 2009
Robyn Smith
added it
I read this book while in the US visiting Ngaire Smith, my daughter. It seemed strange reading a NZ book in the States, but I thoroughly recommend it, tho I found the horrific beginning hard to take and couldn't "get into the book" for a while after that. I learnt more about the "Land Wars" between Maori and the British than I ever learnt at school!
Rolled along at a good pace, and was nice easy entertainment.
I feel I would have absolutely loved this book when I was about 16 years old, but my tastes have have changed a bit since then, and I found the substantial amounts of "tragedy" a little ho-hum Main character was likeable, but I didn't really connnect with her.
I feel I would have absolutely loved this book when I was about 16 years old, but my tastes have have changed a bit since then, and I found the substantial amounts of "tragedy" a little ho-hum Main character was likeable, but I didn't really connnect with her.
A well written book about a period of New Zealand history of particular interest to me. The only slightly jarring note, for me, is the odd inaccurate use of Te Reo but I am nit picking as most would miss what annoyed me.
I will keep on the look out for others by this author
I will keep on the look out for others by this author
I loved this book and could not put this down, a nice easy weekend read and beauitfully written piece of New Zealand history. I plan to read all the books from Deborah Challinor, Can't wait.
I just started reading this book and I am really enjoying it.I am halfway through it an have a hard time putting it down.
A good read and a way of learning more about some of nz's history at the same time.
good historic novel about New Zealand 1860-66
Feb 10, 2011
Stephanie
added it
really good and moving book i really enjoyed it
The first half of this book is great. The second half was rushed and all over the place. But I loved Isla, and was pulling for her the whole time.
May 12, 2013
Emilee Granger
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May 11, 2013
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book Loving Kiwis: Isle of Tears | 7 | 17 | May 09, 2013 02:25am |
Born in Huntly, she holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Waikato. Challinor has worked as a fulltime writer and historian since 2000.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first histor...more
More about Deborah Challinor...
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first histor...more
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