From the Bookshelf of Retro Reads…

Important Family

Dorothy Eden

Start date: November 10, 2017

Finish date: December 1, 2017

Discussion leader: Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂

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Nov 17, 2017 Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aotearoa-authors, historical-crime-whodunnit

3.5★

I'm a bit of a loss on how to review this book - or even what rating to give it.

The main thing I liked about the book was the main character, Kate. I found it realistic that she had more than one love/infatuation in her life.

& I liked the twists in the tale. The book was never what I expected.

The writing is for the most part competent, rather than evocative or inspiring. I'm not sure Kiwi Gothic really works as a genre. Eden succeeded in describing the many hardships early New Zealander set ...more

29 likes · Like · see review

Nov 12, 2017 Misfit rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: something-old-is-new-again, new-zealand

A very underwhelming finish, and one it took too long to get to at that. The New Zealand setting was a plus, but not enough to pull this one out of the doldrums. Back to the library for you.

11 likes · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2017 Barb in Maryland rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

2.5 stars for a book that was flat, flat, flat. I finished it because 1)I was reading it for a group read and 2)because I was curious to see just what was the deep, dark secret. Bah and meh on all of it.
I was hoping for some vivid writing on NZ--didn't happen. I was hoping for a romance--didn't happen. I was hoping for some emotion--didn't happen.
I did like several of the secondary characters--Ada Collins and Tabitha Pugh were wonderful! Alas, the Chinese cook was burdened with very bad pigeon ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 12, 2017 Susan in NC rated it liked it · review of another edition

3-3.5 stars - interesting read from a new-to-me author; my library had this labeled Gothic Romance, which I’m not terribly familiar with, and I don’t think I’d seek out other books in the genre, but it was an interesting read as far as settlers in New Zealand - something I know nothing about.

There were some raging red flags for me about pompous Sir John and meek, mousy Lady Deveninish and their moody, difficult daughter. I liked Kate, the companion hired to accompany the family out to New Zealan ...more

1 like · Like · see review