Mandarin Summer

by Fiona Kidman

An evocative novel about secrets, disillusion and a unique place.


Luke Freeman returns from the Second World War keen to start a new life with his wife, Constance, and eleven-year-old daughter, Emily. However, after arriving in Northland, it is clear the patch of land he has bought from Brigadier Barnsley is useless. During the drought-stricken summer that follows, the Freeman's lives become interwoven with the demanding Barnsleys. Like the elusive springs of water, secrets are bubbling just under the surface - will they be discovered?

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Fiona Kidman is a leading contemporary novelist, short story writer and poet. Much of her fiction is focused on how outsiders navigate their way in narrowly conformist society. She has published a large and exciting range of fiction and poetry, and has worked as a librarian, producer and critic. Kidman has won numerous awards, and she has been the recipient of fellowships, grants and other significant honours, as well as being a consistent advocate for New Zealand writers and literature. She is the President of Honour for the New Zealand Book Council, and has been awarded an OBE and a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to literature.

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a short novel but possibly my favorite Kidman story to date.

[Cath · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this whilst staying at Jade Cottage in Kerikeri - so it was apposite. Pretty good, prefer her later work.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mandarin Summer (1981) was Fiona Kidman’s second novel, following on from her ground-breaking first novel, A Breed of Women, (1979) which broke social taboos about mixed-race relationships in New Zealand. Mandarin Summer is an interesting book because it shows Kidman early in her impressive career as a writer, experimenting with her writing style and again being unafraid to tackle taboo topics.

However, perhaps second-novel-syndrome was at work with this novel because the narrative voice is not quite under control. It’s not enough to spoil the flow of the novel but it does occasionally jar. The story is narrated by Emily Freeman in two time-frames: as an adult looking back on extraordinary events in her childhood, and also as a child living the events. Sometimes these narrations slip and Emily-the-child sounds a lot more like a jaundiced adult than she should.

To read the rest of my review, please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2012/06/14/ma...