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Catching the Current
On the run from an unfortunate 'indiscretion', young Conrad Rasmussen finds refuge in the North Island of New Zealand under the employ of the famous (or notorious) Dane, Bishop Monrad. However Conrad - a talented and impetuous Faroeman - finds he cannot escape his past.
In this companion novel to the bestselling Denniston novels, a free spirit is pitted against the forces of tradition. This is Conrad's story, and that of the unusual woman Anahuia. It is a tale of new lands and old songs, of seafaring and war and the search for love.
In this companion novel to the bestselling Denniston novels, a free spirit is pitted against the forces of tradition. This is Conrad's story, and that of the unusual woman Anahuia. It is a tale of new lands and old songs, of seafaring and war and the search for love.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
24 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Pattrick
14 books49 followersJenny Pattrick is an acclaimed historical novelist, whose The Denniston Rose, and its sequel Heart of Coal, are among New Zealand's bestselling novels. In 2009 she received the New Zealand Post Mansfield Fellowship. She has been active in the arts community, and has also written stories, songs and shows for children.
Jenny Pattrick has been awarded the OBE for services to the arts, the 1990 medal, is featured in the Wellington Girls' College Hall of Fame and has received the NZ Post Katherine Mansfield Prize.
Jenny Pattrick has been awarded the OBE for services to the arts, the 1990 medal, is featured in the Wellington Girls' College Hall of Fame and has received the NZ Post Katherine Mansfield Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 10, 2021
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This specific book is seen in my video: Mystery Book Box Themed Reading Vlog
This book made history fun - aaah whaaaaat?! I do think that this is a novel that will only entertain you if you have a specific interest in Danish emmigration and/or NZ colonialist history. This book is also specifically set in Manawatu, NZ, which adds another link to me as this is where I grew up and live. So right from the get go I had an interest in this since it was literally about my home's history. So quite a niche audience I feel.
The element of this novel that really sold it for me is how the story is told from multiple perspectives. This kept the pace of the novel changing and the story interesting. If you are worried about these pages feeling like a monotone text book, you have nothing to worry about.
Honestly, I'm just surprised at how much I liked this book and definitely will be looking to read this Wellingtonian author's other works.
Triggers (possibly spoilery): rape, murder, drowning, colonialism themes and ideas, disease, violence
This specific book is seen in my video: Mystery Book Box Themed Reading Vlog
This book made history fun - aaah whaaaaat?! I do think that this is a novel that will only entertain you if you have a specific interest in Danish emmigration and/or NZ colonialist history. This book is also specifically set in Manawatu, NZ, which adds another link to me as this is where I grew up and live. So right from the get go I had an interest in this since it was literally about my home's history. So quite a niche audience I feel.
The element of this novel that really sold it for me is how the story is told from multiple perspectives. This kept the pace of the novel changing and the story interesting. If you are worried about these pages feeling like a monotone text book, you have nothing to worry about.
Honestly, I'm just surprised at how much I liked this book and definitely will be looking to read this Wellingtonian author's other works.
Triggers (possibly spoilery): rape, murder, drowning, colonialism themes and ideas, disease, violence
November 28, 2019
I loved this book. It was a good back story to the Denniston series. I was fascinated to read about the Faroese connection in New Zealand, who knew? I have relatives in the Faroes and this book made me want to go and visit. It's an amazing place. Freezing though.
It's great to see the history of New Zealand brought to light. We need more stories like this.
It's great to see the history of New Zealand brought to light. We need more stories like this.
Read
November 30, 2024I love JennPattrick, based on true but not, historical novels. I loved all the Foerow Island history but I was uncomfortable with her lead Maori character. I wasn't convinced a Maori woman would be able to set up shop in Australia at the turn of the century without some opposition. Perhaps that is a bit of research that needs to be done. I loved that Foxton is Te Awaho, and the way she touched on the Waikato land wars as interesting. Also didn't shy away from ritual enslavement but handled sensitively. I love the way everyone is a complex character and Conrad has a much better role to play in this one. It connects with Dennison Rose briefly but keeps you interested all the way through. If you have an older relative or a history buff or someone who likes taking history books away on holiday, this is the book for them. Jenny is consistent in her writing and each time I read her books she doesn't disappoint. You can see why she is a best seller in Aotearoa/NZ.
February 22, 2023
Enoyable historical fiction. Wonderful depictions of life in both Aotearoa and the Faroe Islands during the 1860-1880s.
Quotes and descriptions that I enjoyed:
“Ah well, sweetheart, as true as may be. A pinch of salt now and then to add flavour, you know. But true in its backbone.”
“You bloodthirsty northern men with your big guns. You are worse than the Ngapuhi. Go on then.”
“What a whakahihi! A little modesty would be welcome.”
“ah well, now, sweetheart, you asked for a true story this time. What is a fellow to do?”
“Conrad Rasmussen, you are an impossible man.”
Patupairehe? A fairy of the mist? Aue
These men are quick to throw away a tool when it becomes blunt. No thought about sharpening it.
“Pakura, you know he speaks quite well.”
“It sounds like boots on gravel. Too loud, too harsh.”
“He made me angry, you see, with his strong views, allowing for no shades of colour, only pure black or white. It was in his nature, I think. A bullying side of him. From a small boy he was the one who demanded to be first for the canoe ride or to take the first turn on the rope-swing above the river, pushing the other boys away.
The old man chuckles and his step is lighter as the two make their way over the uneven stones of the pathway. New Stories! Now that is better than brandy to warm an old man’s bones!”
The openness draws people, Clara included, as sea-birds are drawn to the promised feast of a returning fishing boat.
“come inside, Enok. We must have words.”
It is not healthy to approach the dark months of the year with a mind that is also in shadow.
On the coast, “disorderly’ has a fairly lenient interpretation so their behaviour must have been bordering on criminal to earn them the heave-ho.
Quotes and descriptions that I enjoyed:
“Ah well, sweetheart, as true as may be. A pinch of salt now and then to add flavour, you know. But true in its backbone.”
“You bloodthirsty northern men with your big guns. You are worse than the Ngapuhi. Go on then.”
“What a whakahihi! A little modesty would be welcome.”
“ah well, now, sweetheart, you asked for a true story this time. What is a fellow to do?”
“Conrad Rasmussen, you are an impossible man.”
Patupairehe? A fairy of the mist? Aue
These men are quick to throw away a tool when it becomes blunt. No thought about sharpening it.
“Pakura, you know he speaks quite well.”
“It sounds like boots on gravel. Too loud, too harsh.”
“He made me angry, you see, with his strong views, allowing for no shades of colour, only pure black or white. It was in his nature, I think. A bullying side of him. From a small boy he was the one who demanded to be first for the canoe ride or to take the first turn on the rope-swing above the river, pushing the other boys away.
The old man chuckles and his step is lighter as the two make their way over the uneven stones of the pathway. New Stories! Now that is better than brandy to warm an old man’s bones!”
The openness draws people, Clara included, as sea-birds are drawn to the promised feast of a returning fishing boat.
“come inside, Enok. We must have words.”
It is not healthy to approach the dark months of the year with a mind that is also in shadow.
On the coast, “disorderly’ has a fairly lenient interpretation so their behaviour must have been bordering on criminal to earn them the heave-ho.
October 15, 2023
A very interesting story, from multiple perspectives, particularly for Danes who have emigrated to New Zealand.
It's interesting to hear of the general sentiment in Denmark in 1864, when we were at war with Germany and there was a real fear that the country would fall under German rule. This would have heavily influenced people's choice to leave Denmark.
To hear of how many people came to New Zealand in those days where it was an extremely long and arduous journey by sea, where life was literally at risk, if a contagious disease broke out on board the ship.
On top of that, to learn of the appalling conditions the crew worked under.
To consider how record keeping was non-existent and you could hop on a ship as crew and literally disappear forever. Even the captain didn't know your real name.
To hear, again, how land was taken or bought at hardly any cost from various iwi.
To consider from the Maori perspective what it would have been like to have children with part Scandinavian features and moreover how that would have been perceived in their communities.
But then to also hear stories of how people would build a life from absolutely nothing, learn new languages and skills, and then have some wicked stories to tell their grandchildren!
Definitely worth a read.
It's interesting to hear of the general sentiment in Denmark in 1864, when we were at war with Germany and there was a real fear that the country would fall under German rule. This would have heavily influenced people's choice to leave Denmark.
To hear of how many people came to New Zealand in those days where it was an extremely long and arduous journey by sea, where life was literally at risk, if a contagious disease broke out on board the ship.
On top of that, to learn of the appalling conditions the crew worked under.
To consider how record keeping was non-existent and you could hop on a ship as crew and literally disappear forever. Even the captain didn't know your real name.
To hear, again, how land was taken or bought at hardly any cost from various iwi.
To consider from the Maori perspective what it would have been like to have children with part Scandinavian features and moreover how that would have been perceived in their communities.
But then to also hear stories of how people would build a life from absolutely nothing, learn new languages and skills, and then have some wicked stories to tell their grandchildren!
Definitely worth a read.
Read
November 25, 2023I didn’t love the story but I did love that it introduced me to some history and the people of the Faroe Islands that was new to me. I also loved the connection to Rose, in fact was completely delighted by it. I thought the story itself started too slow and finished too fast. The characters were beautifully developed in the beginning and then those introduced later were hard to know.
January 26, 2025
The 1800s. History of the Faroe Islands and New Zealand. Big blond Conrad Rasmussen and the love of his life, Anahuia, half Danish and half Maori. Accidentally separated for 16 years. A re-readable story.
November 18, 2025
The author, Jenny Pattrick, writes historical fiction based in New Zealand. This is an account of a Faroeman’s life in the Faroe Islands and a Danish community in New Zealand - two things I didn’t know much about.
August 15, 2017
I enjoyed this book but felt the ending was quite rushed. I wanted to know more about Enok and Ana's relationship after they were finally reunited
July 19, 2019
I could see my Grandmother in this story, she lived in the same area. Once again Jenny Pattrick is able to take you right into the heart of the story. I loved this book.
November 14, 2022
Almost too wide in scope compared to the in-depth coverage from the authors other works... But definitely interesting to learn more of the life of the character of Con the Brake.
March 1, 2015
Loved it! Beautifully written, the characters you fall in love with. My only quarrel is I wanted to know more about their lives, the ending races through whereas the rest saunters through at a tantalising pace. An excellent mix of fiction and fact that leaves your hankering to know more about the events in which the story is set. This could've easily been a five book series. Now I'm dying to read all of her other books
May 10, 2007
The follow-up to Pattrick's The Denniston Rose. A fascinating look into Danish-Kiwi relations, Danish-Faroes relations, and pakeha-maori relations during 1860s New Zealand.
March 29, 2009
A great insight into early New Zealand history. A carry on from The Denniston Rose and Heart of Coal.
September 24, 2012
Another great read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews