Lark, Sarah --Beneath the Kauri Tree (Kauri-Trilogie #2) informal buddy read starts August 10, 2020

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss Beneath the Kauri Tree by Sarah Lark.



Synopsis
From the author of Toward the Sea of Freedom comes a novel of the triumphs, tragedies, and courage of two women bravely changing the tide of history…

As the nineteenth century draws to a close, the struggle for women’s suffrage has finally reached New Zealand. But when the tide of change rolls in, it threatens to engulf two young women from very different backgrounds, who are coming of age amid the tumult.

Torn between the two worlds that make up her heritage, Matariki Drury is the daughter of a successful white businesswoman and a descendant of Maori royalty. Scarred by poverty and hoping to make a new life for herself in this strange and forbidding land, Violet Paisley is the middle child of a poor Welsh coal-mining family.

Drawn together by their shared commitment to social change, and tested by traumas that neither of them could foresee, these two independent-minded women will find themselves thrust onto the front lines of the fight for equal rights and racial justice. To win their place in this world, they must learn to rise above their personal pain and choose a path of reconciliation rather than retribution.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Laura]

Please note the change in date for this buddy read :)

[Megan]

Laura wrote: "Please note the change in date for this buddy read :)"

Thanks Laura :)

[Megan]

I've read Child of the stars part.
(view spoiler)[ Did you think it was interesting that the baby wasn't Michael's? I thought it wasn't but if I remember rightly the baby was implied to be his. Also interesting Kathleen & Peter meeting Violet and her family. Wondering if they're replacing Claire. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Hi ya Megan, I'm late starting.
Finished chapter 3- Ill do my best to read a chunk and hopefully catch up
(view spoiler)[ I was pleasantly surprised to see that book 2 picks up from book 1. I wasn't expecting to read about Kathleen, Peter, Lizie and Michael. I thought the book would be all about Matariki.

Interesting to see Colin make an appearance- I suspect he hasn't changed. It's going to be trouble if he moves back to New Zealand.

I think Matariki is brave. I'm interested to see how the rest of the kidnapping goes. <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished part 1
(view spoiler)[
I have to say reading about Matariki is my least favorite parts of the book. Her father is crazy. I'm hoping when she escapes in part 2 her sections are better.
I was surprised she wasn't Michael's .

I like Violet and Rosie. It was sad when her mom and grandfather died. I m looking forward to their new life in New Zealand with the Burtons! <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 2
Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[
I'm super happy Violet and Rosie aren't with their dad. Horrible, how could they just leave without them? <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

End of part 2
(view spoiler)[
Wow, lots happened. I'm glad Matariki finally escaped the shop keepers. I can't imagine living in that prison.
Life starts to look up for Violet and Rosie and then their dad comes back in the picture. I hope Violet can get them away from their dad.

Are you enjoying this, Megan? I do, I like the descriptions of village life, Violet's interactions with those she meets. I'm hooing there is a happy ending for Violet <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Wow Part two had lots going on!
(view spoiler)[ I felt so sorry for Matariki, I think its really here she realises her skin colour will be difficult to overcome, I guess growing up with two white parents she never realised she was different.
I was so sad for Violet and Rosie, I thought oh good hes gone maybe he'll come back eventually but I didn't expect him back so soon. Poor Violet too, although well done her for finding a job.
This already is much better than the first book, its more positive? Like the authors showing us things are getting better, its still not great but better. I really like Violet and I'm not sure why, I think because she really seems quite bright and she isn't a moaner like she doesn't sit around and go woe is me. I sort of hope her father meets the same fate as her grandfather and mother. Although her brother is just as bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Do you think Matariki will stay with the Maori group? I think she is definitely going to find herself.

Part 3
Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ oh my heart is breaking for Violet. That was a difficult scene to read about. I was really hoping it wouldn't go there. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

I think she will, shes been shown that she isn't like her mother and father; and has found people that she is like. So I think she'll stay just for that.

Yeah that chapter was difficult to read. Really shows you what her family life is like. (view spoiler)[Her brother really is a jerk. I thought he was going to save her not harm her (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished Part 3
(view spoiler)[I'm not surprised about Violet not feeling love for her baby, a traumatic birth but also a traumatic way to conceive in the place. I hope she doesn't hurt the baby though.
I'm not happy with Matariki falling for Colin, hes like his father nice at first then awful. Or maybe I'm judging him too harsh. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sorry, Megan
Im away this weekend too so there isn't a lot of resding going on
Hopefully I can get back to this Sunday night

[Megan]

No problem! I've not picked it up since I finished part 3. I may try and do another part today anyway.

[Megan]

Finished up to Part 4 (view spoiler)[I'm a little put out its taken this long for women's rights to really come up. I thought this book was going to feature heavily around this.
I feel so sorry for poor Rosie. Violet seems to be very smart so I hope she gets them out of her marriage. And Sean seemed interested?
I'm not surprised one bit about Colin. Do you reckon shes pregnant with his baby though? Wonder what she will do. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 3
Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[
No, no, no....I don't want Matariki to end up with Colin<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished part 4
(view spoiler)[ I am enjoying all the parts about women's rights. It is too bad its happening in the last 35% of the book. I did like the horse racing bits too!

I do hope that Violet leaves Eric. I do feel bad for Rosie. I think she would do well living with the Maori.
I actually met a young girl who was mute. It was a different experience, she had selective mutism. Her fellow peers were used to it.

Ugh, I knew it wouldn't be long before Colin showed his true colors. I guess, Chloe is lonely??Or silly... though that isn't the right word.
I wondered earlier if there was something more then friendship between Chloe and Heather. Seems Heather wants more?

I think I still like Violet more than Matariki. Though I'm happy Matariki is no longer with Colin. I suspect she will be pregnant
Lark certainly weaves lots of interconnecting relationships doesn't she.

Eventually I'm going to try another of her series and see if they are similar. <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished part 5
(view spoiler)[ When I read about Chloe and Heather I just went OHHHHHHH to myself out loud! Makes so much sense. I'm not sure how I missed it until then.
Violet is free!! It seems the author has to make one of the kids bad...
Rosie also is speaking, I was pleased they managed to brighten her up.
Matariki also intrigues me but I don't like her so much, I find it weird people can't pronounce her name it seems easy unless I don't pronounce it right. (hide spoiler)]
This book is much better than her first.

[Laura]

I'll finish this today, Megan. I'm around 91%

[Laura]

Part 5(view spoiler)[
I found part 5 read faster than most of the book. I enjoyed Heather's independence

Ha, so happy Eric met his demise, but not sure how I feel about Rosie causing his accident
I'm hoping Violet and Sean have a happy ending.
<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Great. I'll carry on reading now. :-)

[Megan]

Anddd I'm done.

(view spoiler)[Did you know this? "With a law for women’s suffrage in 1893, New Zealand proved itself the forerunner of progressive social legislation. In England and Germany, the suffragettes did not succeed until 1918 and 1919, respectively." That is a long time before England and Germany!
The end part went so quick. Im so glad they got their happy endings. Violet was my favourite the entire time. She deserved a good life and I'm glad shes got Sean. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
No, I didn't know that either. I liked the happy endings too.

I think I liked this one more than book 1.

Are you up for buddy reading the last book in the series? I won't be able to squeeze it in before wheels ends.

[Megan]

I liked this much more than book 1.

Yes sure I'l be up for that. That's fine with me I don't think I could finish it before the end of the week.

[Laura]

Did you notice that the beginning and ending chapters were similiar

Does early September work? You go ahead and pick a start date that works for you.
Next week is busy for me. I won't be reading much.

[Megan]

Yes I did notice that.

Early Sept is good with me. Starting it on the 1st Sept?

[Laura]

Yes, that works!