Renee's comments (member since Dec 31, 2008)

Renee's comments from the Kiwi Readers group.

Hi Robyn, do you teach English?

Mirror Mirror reminded me of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray with a mirror instead of a portrait, rather than Heroes. The ending is rather similar anyway. Although the idea of a man confronting his evil opposite is a common one.

Thanks Rachel, I didn't know heart of Darfur was by a New Zealand author.

Well, I read the six pack three a while ago, but some people are still reading it so I'll only comment on the first story, '88.

I thought this story had great potential, and Maepu is no bad writer. She skillfully captures primary school life in New Zealand - I remember handball too!

does anyone know if there really was ethnic tension between Tongans and Samoans in the 80's? I've never heard about it before.

But I felt the climax of the story was too idealistic to be believable. Although I'd like to believe that education can overcome anything, but I couldn't swallow the idea that a teacher could talk a young angry boy out of murder with a lecture on ancient Greece. But perhaps I'm too cynical.

Does anyone have any other thoughts on '88?

don't forget to check local libraries - they're free

Sounds like we need a poll. Perhaps the books that don't get chosen this time around could be the subject of future group reads?

How about The Six Pack Three? its short and has a lot of New Zealand authors.
Landings by Jenny Pattrick is the best selling New Zealand adult fiction book for 2008, though I have no idea what its about.
Mister Pipby Lloyd Jones is the current New Zealand fiction bestseller.

Hi Mekerei, I used to live in Rotorua. I hear its scorching up there.

Given that Kiwi Readers seems to be growing in membership, maybe it's about time we got a picture - the question mark look is so passe.

any suggestions?

I agree with Debbie's suggestion.
Thanks for the recommendations Tim.

I'm a student at Victoria University in Wellington, studying law and politics. I read almost anything, but I'd like to read more New Zealand and Scandanavian literature in the future. If you have any recomendations, chuck them my way.