The Luminaries

832 pages

English language

Published Oct. 29, 2013 by Granta, Granta Books.

ISBN:
978-1-84708-431-6
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OCLC Number:
851827301

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4 stars (29 reviews)

It is 1866, and Walter Moody has come to make his fortune upon the West Coast goldfields. On the night of his arrival, he stumbles across a tense gathering of twelve local men, who have met in secret to discuss a series of unsolved crimes. Moody is soon drawn into the mystery: a network of fates and fortunes that is as complex and exquisitely patterned as the night sky.--

7 editions

Masterful

5 stars

The writing style captured me from the beginning, although it was sometimes (in the first few sections) a struggle to follow the rather complex plot with so many characters. I really appreciated all the authentic New Zealand (and especially Hokitika) references - wildlife, Maori language and culture, street names, etc. since I discovered and started reading this book in Hokitika itself. However, I think many clever astrological references were lost on me. Despite that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This would be a great one to take apart in an English Lit. class.

Clever in form and a great story

5 stars

Set in gold rush era New Zealand, it reminded me more than a little of the series Deadwood despite being on the other side of the world. It's brilliantly written and is very deliberate and interesting in form - structured according to astrology and the chapters flipping upside down as the book progresses. The mystery was original and unpredictable, but kinda low key.

Review of 'The Luminaries' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I could not comprehend the astrology references or the reason(s) why the chapters halved in length over the course of the book such that, by the end, the explanatory text at the beginning of the final chapters was longer than the chapters themselves, but I guess that's what college courses are for.

Review of 'The Luminaries (Man Booker Prize)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Ah, this is wonderful story telling, drawing me in and becoming more intriguing, as it progressed. And I had no idea that there was ever a gold rush in New Zealand. Most of this tale takes place in the 1860's, and since I live within easy driving distance of Gettysburg, that time period, in my mind, is all about the American Civil War. (Though I am aware that life in the rest of the world went on...)

There is a long cast of characters in this tale, and at first it looks daunting, but they are introduced and involved in a way that I found clear and memorable. This is a story that will stick to me, and I'm glad that I avoided reading anything about it beforehand, since there are so many secrets that unfold along the way.

I only wish I'd read this tome on vacation, when I …

Review of 'The Luminaries' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

It's possible one needs to find astrology interesting in order to enjoy this book (I don't). With all the praise this book has received, I was very disappointed to find it to be such a slog. It's a complicated story with many characters, told in multiple flashbacks and from differing points of view, but it lacked the ability to draw me in such that I was inspired to keep track of all of them. Whereas in other novels of similar length and complexity, I find myself keeping notes or a character list to ensure I am following the action properly, I repeatedly found myself a little lost but just pushing through and assuming I'd figure it out -- I didn't care enough to backtrack. Ultimately I found this book very disappointing.

Review of 'The Luminaries' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

One of the main reasons I read is to be entertained. This book, after a somewhat difficult and convoluted beginning, is without a doubt, very entertaining. There are many complaints about this book, the whole astrological schtick, the show don't tell critique, the halved chapters etc... And I have to agree with them somewhat. But the fact remains this is a good story, filled with great characters, intrigue, betrayals, blackmail, GOLD!!! It will not fail to keep you wanting to find out the truth, to keep you reading and guessing. I quite liked it.

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Subjects

  • Gold discoveries
  • Trials
  • Prostitution
  • Fiction
  • Englisch
  • Historischer Roman
  • Gold mines and mining
  • History

Places

  • West Coast (N.Z.)
  • New Zealand
  • West Coast

Lists