Stephanie Jane reviewed The Colour by Rose Tremain
Wonderful book!
5 stars
The Colour by Rose Tremain was recommended to us by our friend Frances who was lucky enough to actually visit Hokitika in New Zealand. Therefore, when I saw a copy at Dave's daughter Gemma's house I was very keen to borrow it! Both Dave and have now read The Colour and we both loved the book.
Set in 1860s New Zealand at the height of a gold rush, Tremain manages to brilliantly evoke not only the enthusiasm and dedication of the early white farming settlers but also the madness and extreme endurance of the gold prospectors. I was impressed by her descriptions of the stunning landscapes as well as the contrasting living conditions across South Island. The characters are wonderfully well-drawn too. From underestimated Harriet to hard-done-by Lilian, selfish Joseph and opportunistic Will. Even minor characters such as Lily are perfectly real and believable and the racism shown towards Chinese …
The Colour by Rose Tremain was recommended to us by our friend Frances who was lucky enough to actually visit Hokitika in New Zealand. Therefore, when I saw a copy at Dave's daughter Gemma's house I was very keen to borrow it! Both Dave and have now read The Colour and we both loved the book.
Set in 1860s New Zealand at the height of a gold rush, Tremain manages to brilliantly evoke not only the enthusiasm and dedication of the early white farming settlers but also the madness and extreme endurance of the gold prospectors. I was impressed by her descriptions of the stunning landscapes as well as the contrasting living conditions across South Island. The characters are wonderfully well-drawn too. From underestimated Harriet to hard-done-by Lilian, selfish Joseph and opportunistic Will. Even minor characters such as Lily are perfectly real and believable and the racism shown towards Chinese settlers was depressing to read. I liked the interweaving of Pare's Maori narrative and wondered if an actual Maori folk tale was behind her story or if it was a parallel of the Maori loss of New Zealand to the colonising Europeans.
The Colour is an easy book to read, but one which I think will remain with me for quite a while. I found it difficult to put down and so finished in a day. I am now wishing I had made it last longer!