What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hopeful Traveller
One book, two beginnings--read from either end.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
13 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Farrell
24 books19 followersFiona Farrell, ONZM (born 1947) is a New Zealand poet, fiction writer and playwright.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 11, 2023
I started on the historic side, which I think was the right move. The first chapter was quite difficult to read initially with all the description. Oddly this didn't seem to be a problem for the rest. Maybe it was on purpose to show us the excitement of travelling the world for Harry. I did like the depiction of the short sighted idealism of Harry and other characters. The treatment of May was sad but it was a triumphant ending, although after that we don't know how her life went.
I was surprised to see so much about 9/11. I suppose this book was published in 2002 after all. Brian's experience was a great read for me as I was only a toddler during that time. The modern side was much better in my opinion. The characters were very well sketched. I liked Midge since he has the same interests and (somewhat put-on) indifferences as me. Rose and Brian's tragedy was depicted very well.
The island reminds me of Quail Island. I was imagining that island especially in the modern half. I once went there and like Midge spent the entire time looking at plants. I liked the authors use of plants.
I am still not sure how different parts of this book relate, or what these objects (orchid, child, the bird) mean. It is something I need to come back to see. I read this book through without having thought about the book title, which was a silly move. I realise now that it is about the hope of each 'traveller'. I like the format, previously I read Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka, which also was reversible, and made me get this book.
I found a review in the Herald that said "Whatever dies may bloom again in a different guise..." - a good summary! The reviewer also mentioned the difficulty of the first historical paragraph; I am glad I wasn't the only one who thought that.
7/10
I was surprised to see so much about 9/11. I suppose this book was published in 2002 after all. Brian's experience was a great read for me as I was only a toddler during that time. The modern side was much better in my opinion. The characters were very well sketched. I liked Midge since he has the same interests and (somewhat put-on) indifferences as me. Rose and Brian's tragedy was depicted very well.
The island reminds me of Quail Island. I was imagining that island especially in the modern half. I once went there and like Midge spent the entire time looking at plants. I liked the authors use of plants.
I am still not sure how different parts of this book relate, or what these objects (orchid, child, the bird) mean. It is something I need to come back to see. I read this book through without having thought about the book title, which was a silly move. I realise now that it is about the hope of each 'traveller'. I like the format, previously I read Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka, which also was reversible, and made me get this book.
I found a review in the Herald that said "Whatever dies may bloom again in a different guise..." - a good summary! The reviewer also mentioned the difficulty of the first historical paragraph; I am glad I wasn't the only one who thought that.
7/10
January 4, 2016
The downside: The stories are both a little far-fetched at times considering the majority of each one could really have taken place in our world. (Each has a scene that stretches to only really possible in some fantasy....which would be fine if I were reading a fantasy novel, but I was under the impression I wasn't.) There's also great character development, for then said character to literally run away from the story and never reappear.
The upside: It's a really interesting and creative idea to start from either side, and it really doesn't matter which side you read first. The first pages of each story are actually so similar I had to stop and re-read them both, paragraph by paragraph. The writing itself is well done; as I said, character development is intricate and well supported, detail to the setting is perfect but not over-done, and the theme that each traveler is searching for something is upheld.
The upside: It's a really interesting and creative idea to start from either side, and it really doesn't matter which side you read first. The first pages of each story are actually so similar I had to stop and re-read them both, paragraph by paragraph. The writing itself is well done; as I said, character development is intricate and well supported, detail to the setting is perfect but not over-done, and the theme that each traveler is searching for something is upheld.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews