Emma Neale

One theme I’ve been studiously avoiding in my reading over the last couple of years is the subject of grief. I’ve had my own mourning to do and I certainly haven’t wanted to read about anybody else’s. But Billy Bird by New Zealand author got under my radar because it was nominated for the 2018 Dublin Literary Award longlist, and although it took a bit of fortitude to finish it I can see why it’s a popular book.
It’s not just about grief, because it’s about parenthood too: it’s about a young family falling apart because of successive bereavements and (like most of us) not having the resources to deal with it.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2017/12/07/billy-bird-by-emma-neale/… (mer)

(6.5) This is not my usual fare although it is a New Zealand author. Bu is the foster child of a New Zealand couple. They are forced to live in isolation in the deep south as Bu is different. As a young man he leaves to explore his world which causes tragedy. He finds himself in hospital and becomes the victim of social media and medical curiosity. He is seven feet tall and covered in fur. Speculation mounts. Is he a yeti or a maero?
This is probably better aimed at a young adult audience as I struggled to be taken in by this tale. Their is some good poetic language and this author's most recent work was shortlisted for the NZ book Awards this year.… (mer)