First reviews
Every time I release a new book and start referring to it as my ‘new baby’, a conversation from long ago comes back to haunt me . . .
A girlfriend and I were caught wrong-footed at a Uni party where a mutual friend was showing off his new baby (a genuine ‘little surprise’ in those pre-procreational days).
One look at the wee babe’s finger-in-the-power-socket expression and hair, and we stammered out something like ‘Oooh, nice booties’ and escaped to the bar.
My girlfriend asked me quite seriously what I’d do if I ever had an FLK, a funny looking kid.
‘Well, I wouldn’t know, would I?’ I remember saying. ‘I’d think it was beautiful and no-one would be game to tell me any different.’
Sigh. So young.
Fast forward thirty-odd years, and I’ve found that book babies don’t get treated with kid gloves. If you’ve given birth to an FLK, trust me, you find out pretty damn quick in the world of online reviews where everyone’s a critic.
One way or another, first reviews do put us out of our misery. I know we can never please all of the punters all of the time, but at least I can take heart from the comments coming in; Intruder isn’t just beautiful in my eyes. :)
‘A complex, intelligent novel … minor characters are beautifully fleshed out and the dialogue sparkles with life. Recommended.’ Intruder review, Magpies Magazine, June 2014.
‘Intruder is a story that will be adored by those on the transition between childhood and adolescence. It has just enough suspense to keep turning the page, but not enough to terrify; its characters are diverse, realistic, memorable and recognisable and show that we all need a little bit of everyone to enrich our lives.’ Barbara Braxton, Australian Teacher Librarian Network, REVIEW: Intruder Yr 6-8.
‘Intruder by Christine Bongers was impossible to not fall in love with …suspenseful yet not scary, full of real fears and the harsh realities of family life but also moments of laughter and love that transcends all. It really is beautiful.’ Children’s Books Daily
‘I love the gritty realism that defines this author’s writing…Intruder is smart and funny, with authentic characters and poignant moments of insight and affection. Highly recommended.’ You’vegotbuckley’s.edublog, this is the best book, ever…
‘Bongers does a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life with all their foibles; her descriptions of Herc and his interaction with Kat are priceless. There’s a lot of charm in this yarn, mixing humour and tension in a believable scenario that unearths home truths and serves up a warning about the dangers of jumping to conclusions. It also contains a message on the power of family and trust to overcome even the most dire of situations. Kat and dog might not be superheroes, but they make a winning pair.’ Vampires in the Sunburnt Country.
‘Intruder is a satisfying read containing some crime, some romance and some drama. It’s a really nicely constructed story about family, grief and healing, and it stars an absolutely charming dog.’ Readings.com.au.
‘This is a book about family, friendship and facing fear, with an unexpected twist at the end … suitable for readers from 11 upwards. The incident with the intruder, while frightening Kat, is handled sensitively with suspense rather than terror, and encourages discussion about personal safety.’ The Reading Stack
If you’d like to add your own review, please feel free to do so, either in the comments below, or by clicking on the following link: Goodreads | Intruder by Christine Bongers — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists.
