The Colour

by Rose Tremain | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0099425157 Global Overview for this book
Registered by 4evagreen of Furness Vale, Derbyshire United Kingdom on 12/24/2014
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3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by 4evagreen from Furness Vale, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Picked up whilst visiting a Healthy Planet shop.

Journal Entry 2 by 4evagreen at Furness Vale, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Thursday, August 24, 2017
This novel is set in 1860s New Zealand and as such will be seen as a piece of historical fiction. However, it is more than that it is a story of secrets and lies.

Tremain manges to paint a very vivid picture of the hardships of life in New Zealand both physical and natural in those early colonial days. In particular her depiction of the gold-fields with its squalor, its fossicking, windlasses and box flumes is very striking. But also her depiction of the gold prospectors themselves, their desire and bitter hope despite disappointment after disappointment is so engaging that you can almost feel it yourself. And it is not only the miners who catch the gold bug so do those who left behind who try and profit from the influx of so many incomers. This is best portrayed when the seemingly upright Christian landlady Mrs Dinsdale, who befriends Lillian on their initial arrival in Christchurch, but becomes coquettish and rather brazen when so many single men arrive in the country. That said and done I found it rather hard to feel any sympathy for any of the main characters.

However, when all said and done, the author's diversion into the spiritual and in particular the relationship between Edwin and his erstwhile Maori nanny Pare that rather lets the book down for me. IMHO it was unnecessary and acted as a distraction from the main plot rather than enhancing it. This a real shame because otherwise I found this is a very enjoyable read.

Journal Entry 3 by 4evagreen at Buxton, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Monday, September 4, 2017

Released 6 yrs ago (9/4/2017 UTC) at Buxton, Derbyshire United Kingdom

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Spotted this on a wishlist so going off to hopefully make a new friend. Enjoy!

Book has arrived safe and sound, many thanks for sharing :-)

29 Mar 18 - It was a bit of a slow starter on a train journey south, but the following day something sparked an interest in me and I started to enjoy it. The setting up of a farm on an unforgiving land sounded pretty horrific and yet strangest peaceful at the same time. Once Joseph spotted gold his obsession was disturbing. When the relationship between Edward and Pare started I was quite interested - the beliefs of the Maori were fascinating, however towards then end I couldn't really understand why it took it the route it did. In fact the whole ending of the book was a bit of a disappointment to me.

Journal Entry 5 by kingfan30 at Bourne, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Released 5 yrs ago (4/3/2018 UTC) at Bourne, Lincolnshire United Kingdom

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Sending on to grant a wish

Journal Entry 6 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Thank you - this arrived last week. Looks great - looking forward to reading it. Thanks for your kindness 😀

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