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The Boy in the Olive Grove
On the night of her seventeenth birthday Bess Grey sees images of a witch-burning unfold in front of her as if in a movie. She also sees images from a different time — lovers, and the girl, she's sure is — was – herself.
When she meets Nick she recognises him as the boy. There's an immediate connection. However when her father nearly dies from a heart attack there's no time to brood as Bess tries to save her father's business. She falls in love with Nick but her difficult mother interferes, forcing Bess to make the hardest decision of her life. She must decide whether to lose her mother or the boy she loves.
Award-winning Fleur Beale weaves Bess's mysterious past lives into her very realistic current-day life in this beautifully told love story.
When she meets Nick she recognises him as the boy. There's an immediate connection. However when her father nearly dies from a heart attack there's no time to brood as Bess tries to save her father's business. She falls in love with Nick but her difficult mother interferes, forcing Bess to make the hardest decision of her life. She must decide whether to lose her mother or the boy she loves.
Award-winning Fleur Beale weaves Bess's mysterious past lives into her very realistic current-day life in this beautifully told love story.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2012
About the author
Fleur Beale
46 books150 followersFleur Beale is the author of many award-winning books for children and young adults, best known for her novel I am not Esther which has been published worldwide.
Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.
Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.
Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.
Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 3, 2016
When reading New Zealand fiction, there's a sense of familiarity that adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book following the story of Bess, a 17 year old New Zealander struggling with expulsion, abandonment, an unloving mother, and strange images of a boy in an olive grove.
Bess was a likable character who was strong and hard working. It was nice to see the hints of New Zealand in the book, such as the Hamilton rose gardens, Bess getting her restricted licence, and NCEA exams.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book following the story of Bess, a 17 year old New Zealander struggling with expulsion, abandonment, an unloving mother, and strange images of a boy in an olive grove.
Bess was a likable character who was strong and hard working. It was nice to see the hints of New Zealand in the book, such as the Hamilton rose gardens, Bess getting her restricted licence, and NCEA exams.
December 23, 2012
Kiddies, strap yourselves in. We're in for a bumpy ride. This novel begins with an expulsion and ends in triumph. On the way our heroine, Bess Grey, has to deal with many issues and problems, not all of which are in the present or real worlds. Her family are split and in a shambles, and there is a mystery to be solved - if Bess manages to convince someone that what she sees is real, and that she is not crazy.
Recommended for fans of Fleur Beale and also of a rip-snorting book of weird.
Recommended for fans of Fleur Beale and also of a rip-snorting book of weird.
March 25, 2013
I could not help but feel let down by this book. I have read a number of fleur Beale books, and I really enjoy the way she writes about real world girls in real world situations. For the most part I enjoyed reading about Bess's determination and her struggles to help her father and especially about the negative relationship between her and her mother. What disappointed me the most in this book, was the whole "past life" thing. It may be the purpose of the book, but it was a pretty lame plotting device! The fact that in a past life she had been male and married to her now-step mother's previous self, and been responsible for her death seemed pretty wacko, but it was made even worse when she "recognised" the boy in the Olive Grove. Now... I despise with a passion any teenage book that essentially has a "true love at first sight and it is reciprocated" part to it. Relationships don't start with so much spontaneity and passion - at least not those that last. About two thirds of the way through, Bess switched from this smart, go-ahead, kick-arse teenage and turned into a lovesick puppy. And when it was reciprocated, well... I almost tossed the book then and there! After that the actual interesting part of the plot seemed to dwindle down to nothing and we were treated to a very rushed ending that essentially left me feeling unsatisfied and annoyed.
In conclusion - if this book had just been about how Bess, after being almost-expelled from her boarding school due to a drunken bout (brought on by who-cares-what but the hallucination did not even seem a convincing inducement) and forced to live in a small town with her control-freak, self-obsessed mother whilst assisting her father to save his business and maybe striking up a friendship (and eventual romantic relationship) with a boy she knew from her youth (who had teased her and bullied her mercilessly, but now "grown up") and had her mother hijack the relationship - it would have been an excellent teenage drama, filled with personality clashes and bittersweet angst, worhty of four or five stars. But no, Beale had to ruin it by trying to toss in a half-pie supernatural edge that turned it into instead a saccharine mess. It's only getting three stars because I loved the way Bess interacted with the factory workers and because of her spiteful mother.
In conclusion - if this book had just been about how Bess, after being almost-expelled from her boarding school due to a drunken bout (brought on by who-cares-what but the hallucination did not even seem a convincing inducement) and forced to live in a small town with her control-freak, self-obsessed mother whilst assisting her father to save his business and maybe striking up a friendship (and eventual romantic relationship) with a boy she knew from her youth (who had teased her and bullied her mercilessly, but now "grown up") and had her mother hijack the relationship - it would have been an excellent teenage drama, filled with personality clashes and bittersweet angst, worhty of four or five stars. But no, Beale had to ruin it by trying to toss in a half-pie supernatural edge that turned it into instead a saccharine mess. It's only getting three stars because I loved the way Bess interacted with the factory workers and because of her spiteful mother.
May 31, 2015
When Bess Gray sees terrible images of a witch being burnt at the stake she is horrified. What’s even worse is the key instigator is herself – as a man. She tries to block it out with alcohol, which even though she has been an exemplary student, leads to her expulsion from boarding school.
She heads home to a mother that is uncommunicative, cold and controlling. Her older brother who has always been the buffer between his sister and mother picks her up from the airport only to announce he is leaving the country to avoid being roped into the family furniture business.
Bess is left dealing with her mother, her unwell father and a stepmother she has never connected with. She feels totally lost. But the witch burning isn’t the only vision she has been having. She also sees a handsome boy in an olive grove.
This is a story of past and present lives and how they can interconnect. Fleur Beale’s characters are real, the emotions raw and the conclusion reactive.
She heads home to a mother that is uncommunicative, cold and controlling. Her older brother who has always been the buffer between his sister and mother picks her up from the airport only to announce he is leaving the country to avoid being roped into the family furniture business.
Bess is left dealing with her mother, her unwell father and a stepmother she has never connected with. She feels totally lost. But the witch burning isn’t the only vision she has been having. She also sees a handsome boy in an olive grove.
This is a story of past and present lives and how they can interconnect. Fleur Beale’s characters are real, the emotions raw and the conclusion reactive.
January 26, 2013
Reading a book that includes a character with the same name as me was so bizarre but also really cool!
Fleur Beale is such an amazing author and this book is written extremely well. What was great was that I recognised all the places mentioned in the book because I, too, was born in the Waikato.
Fleur Beale is such an amazing author and this book is written extremely well. What was great was that I recognised all the places mentioned in the book because I, too, was born in the Waikato.
July 29, 2017
The Boy in the Olive Grove was the perfect combination of fantasy meets romance with a little bit of drama. The book takes you away into the eyes of Bess Grey, a strong willed 18yr old girl who was sent away to a boarding school. But was kicked out for getting drunk (which was completely out of character for her.) But the real interesting part was why she did it. It was because she had seen a vision, a vision so real that it made her so scared, she couldn't stop shaking, she got drunk to forget about it but she had drunk so much that she nearly died. The start of the book is a bit of a tease because I was very curious to what the vision had been. Yet it takes us through another chapter to find out. Later, another one of her 'happy' images come back and she realised that it was of her childhood friend. She falls in love with him whilst back running her dads business because he has fallen ill. Also while trying to mend her relationship with her mother who is a very hard to read character. It was a good book that I really enjoyed.
November 21, 2021
3.5
I really enjoyed it, but it felt a bit all-over-the-place.
She could have been harsher with the ending.
ALSO what was up with Jason??? and that was never really explained. so yeah, I don't get it.
I really enjoyed it, but it felt a bit all-over-the-place.
She could have been harsher with the ending.
ALSO what was up with Jason??? and that was never really explained. so yeah, I don't get it.
June 21, 2018
engaging story line. The story of a strong female lead and the power of fate. A coming of age.
November 15, 2023
Romance, some mystery and a lot of parent-adolescent storyline. Somewhat forced empowerment of the heroine which then is weakened again when father recovers. Well-written.
May 27, 2018
I normally love Fleur Beale and was excited to read her latest offering, but this book left me feeling flat.
The first half of the book was great and was familiar in terms of theme and character to her other books. The ending, though - whoah! I enjoyed getting to know Bess and her life, and I wish that I felt she'd ended the book in a better position.
Here's the thing: love interests are fine. Love interests where the previously capable, smart, ambitious character specifically says that she are now basically living for the next time she sees her boyfriend? That makes me feel bad. Considering that several characters had pointed out to Bess that love affairs don't always last no matter how "destined" they seem to be, especially when both characters are young, I truly expected Bess to end the book single, a bit wiser, and heading off to university to grow up a bit.
When the book ended quickly with her back in her boyfriend's arms after a breakup engineered by her rather evil, narcissistic mother, and all mentions of Bess' plans for the future dropped in favour of what her boyfriend wanted, I felt cheated. Couldn't we have had a more satisfying resolution between Bess and her mother?
One thing I found interesting in this book was Bess' stepmother. The way the character was described, her connection with a "past life" being burnt at the stake as a witch - I very much felt that Juniper from Sheryl Jordan's The Juniper Game was making a cameo appearance.
The first half of the book was great and was familiar in terms of theme and character to her other books. The ending, though - whoah! I enjoyed getting to know Bess and her life, and I wish that I felt she'd ended the book in a better position.
Here's the thing: love interests are fine. Love interests where the previously capable, smart, ambitious character specifically says that she are now basically living for the next time she sees her boyfriend? That makes me feel bad. Considering that several characters had pointed out to Bess that love affairs don't always last no matter how "destined" they seem to be, especially when both characters are young, I truly expected Bess to end the book single, a bit wiser, and heading off to university to grow up a bit.
When the book ended quickly with her back in her boyfriend's arms after a breakup engineered by her rather evil, narcissistic mother, and all mentions of Bess' plans for the future dropped in favour of what her boyfriend wanted, I felt cheated. Couldn't we have had a more satisfying resolution between Bess and her mother?
One thing I found interesting in this book was Bess' stepmother. The way the character was described, her connection with a "past life" being burnt at the stake as a witch - I very much felt that Juniper from Sheryl Jordan's The Juniper Game was making a cameo appearance.
January 23, 2013
On her 17th birthday Bess has a disturbing vision which shakes her so much she goes on a drinking binge and finds herself asked to leave the boarding school which has been her home since she was 10. Upon her return home she finds that her father's beloved furniture business is in big trouble and her father is sick. Bess is forced to step up and take over the business. At the same time she struggles to understand her relationship with her mother and to come to some understanding with her stepmother. Into all of this intrude visions of a boy in an Olive grove. Who is he? and What does it all mean?
The cover of this book put me off reading it for months! When I finally did pick it up it was fabulous and I could hardly put it down. I like Fleur Beale's writing and this story does not disappoint.
The cover of this book put me off reading it for months! When I finally did pick it up it was fabulous and I could hardly put it down. I like Fleur Beale's writing and this story does not disappoint.
October 23, 2015
On her 17th birthday Bess has a disturbing vision which shakes her so much she goes on a drinking binge and finds herself asked to leave the boarding school which has been her home since she was 10. Upon her return home she finds that her father's beloved furniture business is in big trouble and her father is sick. Bess is forced to step up and take over the business. At the same time she struggles to understand her relationship with her mother and to come to some understanding with her stepmother. Into all of this intrude visions of a boy in an Olive grove. Who is he? and What does it all mean?
The cover of this book put me off reading it for months! When I finally did pick it up it was fabulous and I could hardly put it down. I like Fleur Beale's writing and this story does not disappoint.
The cover of this book put me off reading it for months! When I finally did pick it up it was fabulous and I could hardly put it down. I like Fleur Beale's writing and this story does not disappoint.
September 26, 2015
On the surface, this is a bit of a cheesy teen romance, and a bit far-fetched at that. However, it also deals with themes of divorce, personality disorder, the life threatening illness of a parent, and the idea of reincarnation. This book would definitely prompt a good discussion of some serious topics. Best for older YA.
November 25, 2014
I really like this book I like it how a lot of new interesting things come in through out the story. I am only 11 and It was one of the best books I've read
This was recommended by my friend josie:)
I might be a bit young for this book but I recommend it for young teens:)
This was recommended by my friend josie:)
I might be a bit young for this book but I recommend it for young teens:)
May 16, 2013
it took a while to get into, but it was actually pretty good.
July 11, 2014
The only problem with this book is, once you've read it every other book seems really boring and bad :O
September 15, 2014
3.5 stars.
June 30, 2016
Very exciting and satisfying ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews