Skylark

by Jenny Pattrick

The little French girl, Lily Alouette, was singing and dancing almost as soon as she could walk, and performing became as much a part of her as breathing. When she is left an orphan in an unfamiliar country after her parents have emigrated to the goldfields, it is performing in a circus that offers survival. Later she takes to the stage in both Australia and New Zealand, which is where she attracts the attention of two men. One is the faithful Jack Lacey; the other is the renowned pirate Bully Hayes. While Jack has to compete with both Bully and the theatre to win Lily's attention, Lily finds she must share Jack, too.

From the bestselling author of The Denniston Rose, this unconventional love story is set amid real figures from nineteenth-century theatre, giving a vivid and entertaining picture of the life of actors and circus performers, of gold miners, of horse breeders, of colonial settlers. Filtered through a unique and intriguing narrative, it is page-turning, heart-warming and full of surprises.

Genres: Historical Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Jenny 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.

Reviews

[Susan Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, so this was my second attempt at reading Skylark. When I first checked it out of the library earlier in the year, I returned it before leaving the building – just couldn’t get past the fussiness of the opening with “acts” and a contents page and an archivist. However, given Jenny Pattrick is such a prolific NZ author, and having enjoyed The Denniston Rose last month, I tried again. Kinda wish I hadn’t bothered. The structure of the novel (with different narrators “performing”) was a great idea but I struggled to detect any real change in the narrative tone with each swap (until, to be fair the last few pages where we hear from the children) and I don’t believe the central character was fully explored. Given her passion for being an “Artiste” I think Pattrick shouldn’t have tried so hard to make us like Lily and, instead, made her version of events more theatrical and more obviously embellished. Also, the archivist’s comments were obvious and unnecessary making this novel even more disjointed. If the intention was for the reader to question what was fact and fiction, it failed. I don’t believe Pattrick’s ambitions for this story structure were realised. I recommend you give this novel a wide berth. Read Luminaries instead if you want something set in similar times that is literary or The Denniston Rose if you want an easy yarn.

[Bronwen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previously I read only The Denniston Rose and Heart of Coal, some time back, and hadn't read any recent books by Jenny Pattrick. This book is certainly a creative fiction step-up from Mrs Pattrick's earlier books, with greater complexity of structure and plot to add interest, and very, very convincing characters, all skilfully presented and delineated. I found it a remarkably good read.

[Sue Chalmers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I quite enjoyed this book it was not written in a style I particularly enjoy! It jumped around a lot with different authors and I’m not really fond of a book written as a play or farce. In saying that it was a fascinating look into the world of theatre and circus in New Zealand in the 1800s and the very unconventional family added to the enjoyment of the story. Looking back it was more enjoyable than I thought it would be!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the character of Lily Alouette and the foray into the lives of her friends and family during the 1860s in NZ. The rather unconventional story structure worked well and showed Pattrick exploring an interesting way to narrate the tale of a character who was an ‘artiste’. Some historical research adds authentic touches to the setting but doesn’t get in the way for the main character’s vast dealings with good and kind people as well as the scurrilous Bully Hayes.

[Sunflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I found the format of this book very off-putting. The device which involved writing as if it was a playbill for a show felt rather jarring. However, it fits the story and the character, and the changing of narrator eventually comes to be expected. 3 stars probably doesn't do it justice, but I have enjoyed the author's previous work probably more than this one.

[Sheila Pritchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting insight into life in NZ at the height of goldmining and early settlers. I enjoy Pattrick's historical novels. This one was written in an unusual style and was sometimes a bit disjointed but it kept me interested to the end. Maybe a bit too long and drawn out though.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as easy a read as the other books by Jenny Pattrick. Lily was selfish and very self-centered. Every aspect of her life had to be organised as she wanted. The background of the Whanganui district in the 1860s was interesting.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything like it. I absolutely loved it.

[Kathryn Fathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors. I love how she blends fact and fiction.

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not love this.
In fact, it killed my desire to read at all for a solid 10 days after finishing it.
Which is a shame, as I've really enjoyed most everything else I've read by this author.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a lovely, beautifully written book. It is written in a victorian style and the language is delightful. I have not read anything quite like it. It is quite an easy read but compelling at the same time. Lily is quite a character who endears you and exasperates you at the same time. My heart really goes out to her and I can understand why everyone is a little bit in love with her. Absolutely worth reading.

[Helena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book dis-jointed and the characters forgettable. The notes by the Eleanor ‘The Archivist’ were unnecessary and I think part of what made it so hard to get into the swing of the book. The only saving grace to this story was when she as writing as Mattie. Such a letdown after The Denniston Rose and Heart of Coal.

[Susan Eagar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the interesting and unusual method of writing...it drew me into the story and made the different perspectives intriguing. Not a total page-turner as the authors other books have been but still an enjoyable read.

[Monique Engelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite different to denniston rose with focus more on characters than landscape. liked the fresh format. did drag a bit mid way. Liked how you got the essence of such a life/time. nice to have a new approach to book formats.. I applaud it for that.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book by Jenny Pattrick.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was good. Stretched the imagination a bit.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy NZ historical fiction and love stories you may enjoy this book. The structure is quite clever and entertaining, but it is not up to her Denniston books?

[Tania]

Thought provoking.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different approach but hooked you in to the lives of the characters.