Oracles & Miracles

by Stevan Eldred-Grigg

A BRILLIANTLY ORIGINAL 'FICTION' NOVEL ABOUT TWO WORKING CLASS SISTERS GROWING UP IN CHRISTCHURCH IN THE 1930S AND 1940S. FAG AND GINNIE LOOK AT THEIR LIVES, DESCRIBING THEIR FAMILY LIFE, THEIR SCHOOLING, THEIR FANTASIES (A STRONG ELEMENT IN THE BOOK IS ITS EVOCATION OF THE POPULAR WORKING CLASS CULTURE OF THE TIME). FAG AND GINNIE ARE IN FACT THE AUTHOR'S OWN MOTHER AND SISTER, ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT REVEALED IN THE BOOK ELDRED-GRIGG HAS TAKEN THE RESULTS OF MANY HOURS OF DISCUSSION AND TURNED IT INTO A RICH, FASCINATING, SUPERBLY EXECUTED NOVEL, IN WHICH THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS COME ALIVE AND THE READER IS INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD OF 1930 AND 1940. ORACLES AND MIRACLES IS THE FIRST NOVEL OF ITS KIND TO BE PUBLISHED IN NZ AN ORIGINAL PENETRATING BOOK WHICH IS SURE TO PROVOKE OTHER WRITERS TO PURSUE A SIMILAR PATH.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published June 7, 1988

About the author

New Zealand author, born in 1952.

In 1987 he published his first novel, Oracles and Miracles, the story of two sisters growing up in Christchurch before and during World War II. Since then he has written several fiction and non-fiction books.

Extract from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Dead John Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a New Zeeland novel is loosely historical and loosely fictional and loosely biographical.

I'm not a kiwi but I've lived most of my life here and a good chunk of it within earshot of the Lane Walker Rudkin factory hooter. I know all those streets well. I caught all the references to those old families, their wealth, their money and the sycophantic regard in which they were (and still are) held.

What I got out of it was a better undertanding of that era and the reality of the lives of the majority of the population in Christchurch at that time.

I liked how it unfolded and the various trajectories of their lives. I don't know how this book would read to someone who had never been here but I enjoyed and appreciated it immensely.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great reminder that A) NZ does and always has had a class system and that B) growing up middle class and Pākehā is not the same as growing up working class and Pākehā. This fictional account of working class twins is set in 1940's Christchurch. It's a critique of capitalism, politics and the pre 2nd wave feminist fate of women.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Just didn't like the writing, the characters, nor the story.

[Jessie Mune]

We studied this book at school it was relatable, respectful and there was nothing that you could mock in it there was no swearing, slang, nothing derogatory and they were always talking about Oracles and Miracles. This review or possible rewrite of the book may just be another attempt to degrade and disrespect people that stay blameless through little resources (like nearly everything else) someone attempting to do that is doing so out of their own poverty

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It read like a novelisation of social history, but it was done well, and it got me reading the book. Brought back lots of memories and vocabulary from distant days, and greater understanding of those aspects of our past that were there in the backdrop of my own personal history.

[Olivia Crooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourites! Amazing.

[Robbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, and bonus points for it being set in Christchurch.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in Christchurch. Born in the 1960's. This pre and post war era novel is just like the stories passed down. Timaru, Alford forest etc, privileged farming families etc Places and stories told were familiar to me, in this respect the Novel is well crafted.

Further the battle ax mother is not too dis-similiar to my own grand mother in some respects. I am also a twin, albeit identical.

The novel flows well and even though it took me a while to get started once the girls leave home the story is well constructed.

Readers can take it from me this is a well constructed Kiwi Novel.
It captures Christchurch well.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago and reread it more recently. I think I enjoyed it more the second time around, so I'm glad I kept it!

[Bc Beats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense with history and anecdote. Fantastic novel

[Judy Perreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the 50's in Beckenam, Christchurch, a similar mother, school, Ballantyne's, the Cally , I enjoyed this novel immensely!
The characters believable and endearing.

[Moe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting