Tag: nz historical fiction
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NZ Ockhams 2026 Shortlists Announced
The Ockhams 2026 finalists have been released, and I have been pleasantly surprised by the line-up. I think it is pretty safe to say that I have more books to read over the next month, as these sixteen shortlisted titles provide a great range of reading and voices to appreciate and experience. Let me remind…
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A Blast from the Past in Dominic Hoey’s 1985
If you’re looking for a good New Zealand fiction novel with that classic Kiwi flavour, Dominic Hoey’s 1985 might be right up your alley. With its nostalgic setting, chill young perspective, and elements that certainly have you reminiscing about the life and culture of the day, 1985 is as much a laugh as it is…
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The 2026 New Zealand Ockhams Longlist Has Been Announced
Earlier this month, the Ockhams 2026 longlist was announced, and with the number of phenomenal books mentioned, I just have to share them with you all. The Ockhams are one of our biggest literary awards, covering fiction, poetry, illustrated non-fiction, and general non-fiction. From well-known authors to debut names, the longlists have so much to…
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My Waitangi Day Read is Airana Ngawera’s The Last Living Cannibal
As soon as I heard Airana Ngawera was releasing another novel, I knew I had to get my hands on it. After several busy months of PhD work and an unfortunate bout of reader burnout, which resulted in me returning my library copy of The Last Living Cannibal unread, I managed to get my hands…
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A Touching Exploration of Identity in Jeffrey Buchanan’s The Birds Began to Sing
Jeffrey Buchanan’s Gifkins Award-winning novel, The Birds Began to Sing, is precious, tender, and sombre. Exploring many queer themes like homosexuality, transexuality, internalised homophobia, identity, and living in a world where homosexuality is a crime, this novel is full of many heartfelt moments, revelations, and complexities that make it not only a standout novel, but…
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Monty Soutar Returns with Kawai: Tree of Nourishment
Back with another stunning and shocking novel, Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment by Dr. Monty Soutar continues the story of the powerful lineage of his line, providing a captivating tale of a period of Aotearoa New Zealand’s history that is full of action, conflict, and change. If you enjoyed Kāwai: For such a Time as This,…
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Read Maori Creation Myths in Witi Ihimaera’s Navigating the Stars
Mānawatia a Matariki! Happy Matariki to all! Stories are a significant part of life. Myths are a kind of story, one that tells the story of the origins and beginnings of a world, of the first people, and the beliefs that shape who we are. Witi Ihimaera’s Navigating the Stars is a collection of Māori…
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Lauren Keenan’s The Space Between – A Gripping Historical Fiction Debut
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan took me by surprise given the subject matter, historical events, and the two perspectives at the heart of this novel. I wasn’t sure what to expect upon picking up the novel, but I am so happy I did because The Space Between blew my mind and has piqued my…
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