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Antipodes
When Erin Cerise steps off her plane in Christchurch, New Zealand, she’s determined to overcome her losses of swim team captainship, her boyfriend Ben, and her reputation. Her mother is certain studying abroad will regain Erin’s chances of a good future. Once Erin meets her uninspiring host family and city, though, she’s not so sure.
Before Christchurch, Erin wasn’t always intense and focused. When had her priorities gone upside down?
Now , Erin balks at NZ’s itchy school uniforms, its cold houses, and her hosts’ utter inability to pronounce her name correctly. Christchurch does boast amazing rock climbing, gorgeous scenery, and at least one guy who could make her journey worthwhile—if she lets him.
With months ahead of her, Erin slowly begins to draw on the years behind her, one step back into her memories at a time. As she rebuilds herself from the other side of the world, she finds that although her life has been turned upside down and she’s far from home, every way she moves takes her closer to where she came from.
Before Christchurch, Erin wasn’t always intense and focused. When had her priorities gone upside down?
Now , Erin balks at NZ’s itchy school uniforms, its cold houses, and her hosts’ utter inability to pronounce her name correctly. Christchurch does boast amazing rock climbing, gorgeous scenery, and at least one guy who could make her journey worthwhile—if she lets him.
With months ahead of her, Erin slowly begins to draw on the years behind her, one step back into her memories at a time. As she rebuilds herself from the other side of the world, she finds that although her life has been turned upside down and she’s far from home, every way she moves takes her closer to where she came from.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2018
14 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 19, 2018
Beautifully written, fully-realized characters. I loved every bit of this book.
April 3, 2018
I received an e-ARC of this book from Rockstar Book Tours and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
OMG I want to go to New Zealand. I've always wanted to go to New Zealand. That's the reason why I signed up for this blog tour, because from what I heard from my parents, New Zealand is a beautiful place with amazing people, and I was curious - I wanted to learn more about this wonderful place.
Michele Bacon, the author, lived in New Zealand for a year, and wrote this story based on some of her own experiences. She wrote about a mall built out of shipping containers (HOW COOL IS THAT), pretty beaches and the stunning night sky and AAAHH CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME A FREE FLIGHT TICKET TO CHRISTCHURCH LIKE RIGHT NOW?
To be honest, I hated Erin at first. She is an "all-rounded" good student - good grades, good at cello, good at swimming, good at everything, etc., and she thinks she's so much better than everyone. She keeps complaining about everything - the way her host family pronounces her name (I mean, if they are pronouncing it incorrectly, you could teach them the correct way to say it), the fact that make-up and jewelry is not allowed at her school and she has to wear a school uniform. She looks down on Hank, because he's a "high school dropout". She feels pissed off because she is forced to share a room with a 10-year-old girl, who farts sometimes (well let's face it - FART HAPPENS). She is so annoying... I can't even.
*actual footage of me internally rolling my eyes at Erin's ridiculousness*
Afterwards, Erin starts coming to her senses, and realizes that New Zealand is a beautiful place, and that her host family are really lovely people. She even begins to consider what she really enjoys instead of what colleges like. She starts to let go of her silly thoughts and appreciate the stuff around her - the beautiful landscapes, the cows that cause traffic jams when they cross the road to get to another piece of grassy land, her friends, and how united the Kiwis are in rebuilding their town, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2011. I was glad to see how much Erin has changed throughout the novel.
Another thing I like about the book is how the story was told. We are shown little glimpses of Erin's past at the end of each chapter, and I really like how these small bits are slowly revealed as the story progresses.
And now, let's talk about the other characters in the book. :D I love Erin's family so much - they are so kind and welcoming and really don't deserve to be treated badly (*cough* Erin *cough*) Pippa is a little ball of sunshine, and cheers Erin up when she is having a bad day. Felicity cooks delicious food and cares a lot about Erin. When she sees Erin crying, she stops doing whatever she is doing to sit beside Erin and ask her what happened. She also puts warm water bags in Erin's blanket before she goes to sleep so that she can sleep comfortably on cold New Zealand winter nights. Hamish is quiet and thoughtful and although he doesn't say it out loud, it's clear that he really cares about Erin. Sometimes I could see that he really wants to hit Erin for saying disrespectful things, but he is patient, remains calm and explains Kiwi slang phrases and other things to Erin when she gets confused. Hank is an amazing person - instead of staying in school, he chooses to pursue his dreams. He's also really funny and optimistic and a great friend.
+ At the end of the book, Erin tells Hamish about antipodes. In case you don't know what antipodes are, they are two parts of the earth that are diametrically opposite to each other. I did a bit of research, and found out that Hong Kong's antipode is in Jujuy, Argentina. Here's the link to the antipodes map. I highly recommend you give it a try!
Overall rating
★★★★
Erin may not be the most likable character in the beginning, but as I read on, I began to understand why she acts the way she does - her mother and father are really strict and force her to do things she doesn't like, just because they want her to "seem special" on college applications. I am glad that Erin has formed lifelong friendships, and found out about herself - and what she likes to do - in beautiful New Zealand.
This review appeared first on:
OMG I want to go to New Zealand. I've always wanted to go to New Zealand. That's the reason why I signed up for this blog tour, because from what I heard from my parents, New Zealand is a beautiful place with amazing people, and I was curious - I wanted to learn more about this wonderful place.
Michele Bacon, the author, lived in New Zealand for a year, and wrote this story based on some of her own experiences. She wrote about a mall built out of shipping containers (HOW COOL IS THAT), pretty beaches and the stunning night sky and AAAHH CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME A FREE FLIGHT TICKET TO CHRISTCHURCH LIKE RIGHT NOW?
To be honest, I hated Erin at first. She is an "all-rounded" good student - good grades, good at cello, good at swimming, good at everything, etc., and she thinks she's so much better than everyone. She keeps complaining about everything - the way her host family pronounces her name (I mean, if they are pronouncing it incorrectly, you could teach them the correct way to say it), the fact that make-up and jewelry is not allowed at her school and she has to wear a school uniform. She looks down on Hank, because he's a "high school dropout". She feels pissed off because she is forced to share a room with a 10-year-old girl, who farts sometimes (well let's face it - FART HAPPENS). She is so annoying... I can't even.
*actual footage of me internally rolling my eyes at Erin's ridiculousness*
Afterwards, Erin starts coming to her senses, and realizes that New Zealand is a beautiful place, and that her host family are really lovely people. She even begins to consider what she really enjoys instead of what colleges like. She starts to let go of her silly thoughts and appreciate the stuff around her - the beautiful landscapes, the cows that cause traffic jams when they cross the road to get to another piece of grassy land, her friends, and how united the Kiwis are in rebuilding their town, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2011. I was glad to see how much Erin has changed throughout the novel.
Another thing I like about the book is how the story was told. We are shown little glimpses of Erin's past at the end of each chapter, and I really like how these small bits are slowly revealed as the story progresses.
And now, let's talk about the other characters in the book. :D I love Erin's family so much - they are so kind and welcoming and really don't deserve to be treated badly (*cough* Erin *cough*) Pippa is a little ball of sunshine, and cheers Erin up when she is having a bad day. Felicity cooks delicious food and cares a lot about Erin. When she sees Erin crying, she stops doing whatever she is doing to sit beside Erin and ask her what happened. She also puts warm water bags in Erin's blanket before she goes to sleep so that she can sleep comfortably on cold New Zealand winter nights. Hamish is quiet and thoughtful and although he doesn't say it out loud, it's clear that he really cares about Erin. Sometimes I could see that he really wants to hit Erin for saying disrespectful things, but he is patient, remains calm and explains Kiwi slang phrases and other things to Erin when she gets confused. Hank is an amazing person - instead of staying in school, he chooses to pursue his dreams. He's also really funny and optimistic and a great friend.
+ At the end of the book, Erin tells Hamish about antipodes. In case you don't know what antipodes are, they are two parts of the earth that are diametrically opposite to each other. I did a bit of research, and found out that Hong Kong's antipode is in Jujuy, Argentina. Here's the link to the antipodes map. I highly recommend you give it a try!
Overall rating
★★★★
Erin may not be the most likable character in the beginning, but as I read on, I began to understand why she acts the way she does - her mother and father are really strict and force her to do things she doesn't like, just because they want her to "seem special" on college applications. I am glad that Erin has formed lifelong friendships, and found out about herself - and what she likes to do - in beautiful New Zealand.
This review appeared first on:
January 24, 2019
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
*I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
High school student Erin's life is in shambles after a run of bad luck. She is worried that she will not have what it takes to get into a top college. She decides to opt for a work-study program in New Zealand to add to her résumé.
It's evident from the beginning that Erin leads a privileged life in America. When she arrives in New Zealand she is taken aback by her host family's small, cold, house. Erin often comes across as spoiled and bratty.
This was one of three recent books I read that take place in New Zealand. The scenery seems amazing and New Zealand definitely a place I'd love to visit one day.
'Antipodes' did a great job of illustrating how New Zealand suffered during the recent earthquakes. I loved how New Zealand has turned shipping containers into shops and restaurants. I also thought it was interesting that there is no security on the flights between the islands. I had no idea that there were places in the world that were so untouched by current security issues.
The references to space and Erin's love of astronomy was covered extensively in the book. This is a great premise. A teenager obsessed with astronomy isn't something that I've read a lot of in YA.
Erin's New Zealand friends were down to earth and very friendly and not as competitive as Americans tend to be. I thought this was an interesting view of the differences in the cultures.
Erin left NZ a totally different person then when she arrived. I loved the analogy that she became an opposite (antipode) of who she used to be.
This review was originally posted on The Book return...
*I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
High school student Erin's life is in shambles after a run of bad luck. She is worried that she will not have what it takes to get into a top college. She decides to opt for a work-study program in New Zealand to add to her résumé.
It's evident from the beginning that Erin leads a privileged life in America. When she arrives in New Zealand she is taken aback by her host family's small, cold, house. Erin often comes across as spoiled and bratty.
This was one of three recent books I read that take place in New Zealand. The scenery seems amazing and New Zealand definitely a place I'd love to visit one day.
'Antipodes' did a great job of illustrating how New Zealand suffered during the recent earthquakes. I loved how New Zealand has turned shipping containers into shops and restaurants. I also thought it was interesting that there is no security on the flights between the islands. I had no idea that there were places in the world that were so untouched by current security issues.
The references to space and Erin's love of astronomy was covered extensively in the book. This is a great premise. A teenager obsessed with astronomy isn't something that I've read a lot of in YA.
Erin's New Zealand friends were down to earth and very friendly and not as competitive as Americans tend to be. I thought this was an interesting view of the differences in the cultures.
Erin left NZ a totally different person then when she arrived. I loved the analogy that she became an opposite (antipode) of who she used to be.This review was originally posted on The Book return...
May 26, 2019
This book was so, so promising, but it was just ruined for me. I could not connect with the main character. I could empathize with her situation to a point, but then I just... was like, "Ugh, but you're so awful, I don't even care." Because seriously. She was so judgmental, so snobby, she looked down her nose at everyone and everything that was different or "less" than what she was used to at home in the US. (Which, come on. The US isn't even that great, Erin. Get over yourself.)
The whole book was so full of her insulting her host family and her "friends" that I literally couldn't believe them welcoming her into their circle, let alone anyone having any romantic interest in her. Especially not someone so different. Especially not the people she routinely insulted *to their faces* over and over again. 'Oh, your country is so slow, and quaint, and you should go to college and stop wasting your lives.' GOD, ERIN YOU SUCK I HATE YOU.
I get the point and purpose of her character 'growing' but it was too slow, and she was too much. I hated her. I never really felt she redeemed herself.
The whole book was so full of her insulting her host family and her "friends" that I literally couldn't believe them welcoming her into their circle, let alone anyone having any romantic interest in her. Especially not someone so different. Especially not the people she routinely insulted *to their faces* over and over again. 'Oh, your country is so slow, and quaint, and you should go to college and stop wasting your lives.' GOD, ERIN YOU SUCK I HATE YOU.
I get the point and purpose of her character 'growing' but it was too slow, and she was too much. I hated her. I never really felt she redeemed herself.
dnf
April 9, 2018* I received this ARC from the publisher for a blog tour in exchange for review. No quotes are used and all thoughts are my own*
I had withhold my review until after the blog tour, so my review is linked here. But I couldn't get past 59/60 pages of an ungrateful brat with nothing else to her personality, extremely repetitive chapters and honestly, a lack of moving plot.
https://metalphantasmreads.wordpress....
I had withhold my review until after the blog tour, so my review is linked here. But I couldn't get past 59/60 pages of an ungrateful brat with nothing else to her personality, extremely repetitive chapters and honestly, a lack of moving plot.
https://metalphantasmreads.wordpress....
March 20, 2018
Erin is seventeen and hates her life. She’s just experienced the biggest social disaster of her life and she can’t figure out how to fix it. She’s lost her boyfriend, her swim team, and herself in the last few years. She’s not a very likable person in the first part of this book but once you start understanding her you start to realize the reasons why she’s so difficult to like as a character. She’s a bit entitled and has been given everything she’s ever wanted and you can definitely tell in the way she perceives things. Her mother wants her to experience something that will make her stand out on college applications so she suggests she does a study abroad. Erin picks the farthest place possible, Christchurch New Zealand. When she shows up there she is placed with a very modest host family and it’s quite an adjustment for her. All she could think about in the first few weeks was how much she wanted to go home but over time she meets some amazing people who show her the beauty New Zealand has to offer. I really enjoyed her character arc as this book progressed. It was definitely a journey to self discovery and getting back to yourself which I loved most about this book.
Erin’s host family was so much fun getting to know. Her host mum, Felicity, never pressured Erin like she was used to which allowed Erin to really feel like she could make her own decisions and do the things she actually wanted to do. The high pressure life she’s been so used to starts to fall away and she’s able to see what life can really be like when you just sit back and enjoy yourself.
https://thecleverreader.wordpress.com...
Erin’s host family was so much fun getting to know. Her host mum, Felicity, never pressured Erin like she was used to which allowed Erin to really feel like she could make her own decisions and do the things she actually wanted to do. The high pressure life she’s been so used to starts to fall away and she’s able to see what life can really be like when you just sit back and enjoy yourself.
https://thecleverreader.wordpress.com...
July 25, 2019
When I read the first few chapters, I wasn't sure because I really disliked the protagonist. She was a spoiled, entitled, rich kid (age 17) from the United States who couldn't even hide her revulsion for how her host family lived in New Zealand. However, within a couple of chapters I was hooked. The story went back and forth between the present and the past, and the chapters in the past kept going farther and farther back in time so we could slowly find out why Erin behaved the way she did. Of course, it wasn't a surprise that Erin became a much better person... but I enjoyed the story of how.
Also, I really loved the setting. I knew nothing about New Zealand. Not only did I get to see the setting, I got to better understand their lifestyle. Their slow pace of life is the complete opposite of many in the US. I finished the book realizing that I, like Erin, need to slow down and enjoy the present instead of always focusing on the future.
FYI, my daughter read this her freshman HS year and also loved it.
Also, I really loved the setting. I knew nothing about New Zealand. Not only did I get to see the setting, I got to better understand their lifestyle. Their slow pace of life is the complete opposite of many in the US. I finished the book realizing that I, like Erin, need to slow down and enjoy the present instead of always focusing on the future.
FYI, my daughter read this her freshman HS year and also loved it.
May 19, 2018
What a beautiful, moving, important book. I loved experiencing the main character’s journey of self-discovery and growth, I loved the gorgeous setting, I loved the ending, and I loved every detail along the way. I think teen readers will find much to relate to within these pages, unfortunately. Fortunately, I think they will find much to learn from as well. A hopeful, very enjoyable, read.
April 13, 2020
This was another of my I'm-n0t-the-target-reader-for-this-but-I'll-read-it-anyway books, and unlike most of those, I actually liked this one. Basic premise: a spoiled but basically decent girl spends six months studying abroad (in New Zealand) to beef up her chances for acceptance at an Ivy League college. You know from page one where this is going (she hates the change at first but grows to love it) but the author handles it deftly. Teen readers (primarily girls) should love this.
January 25, 2024
A really sweet story about a girl who moves to the other side of the world and falls in love with Christchurch. Beautiful depictions of NZ and Kiwi life. Loved it!
March 22, 2018
I received an advanced unedited copy of this book because the author is on a panel I am moderating at the upcoming Orcas Island Lit Festival. I see why she comes so highly recommended. The book was fun, the setting was great, and the story was moving.
March 25, 2018
I have read hundreds of books that have taken place in lands that I have never visited in my real life, but I have never read a book that so tempted me to pack my bags immediately and just “go”. Seriously. Moments after reading the last sentence of Antipodes, I told my husband that I had to visit Christchurch, NZ. It is now on our bucket list. This is how special Antipodes is – it reached out into my world and shook it up a bit. Fantastic!
You can probably see where I am going with this. I loved this book. Antipodes is about letting go of everything you thought was important and finding your true self. Shed the unnecessary stuff. Toss the baggage. I loved Erin Cerise’s journey and I really felt her struggles to be both believable and relateable, especially in today’s world of high expectations and constant scrutiny.
After a disastrous celebration of her 17th birthday, the loss of her swim team captainship and now a severed relationship with her boyfriend, Erin is desperate to find a way to fix her future. In order to stand out to college prospects and make a good name for herself, she has decided that she will study abroad. Though when she first lands with her host family, she’s not so sure she’s made the right decision. Reading how Erin’s character stumbles, pushes back, grows and reflects on her mistakes was great. But what I enjoyed most was when she reflected on her youngest and truest self, her relationship with her grandparents and seeing how she learns to find herself again.
Michele Bacon writes her characters honestly – flawed, familiar and real. I fell in love with Pippa and Hank right away, Erin frustrated me at times, Hammish grew on me… each character brought something real to the story. That said, what stood out the most is Michele’s obvious love for New Zealand. Exploring Christchurch through the eyes of Erin (Michele) only made me want to visit for myself. Without actual pictures, Michele paints Christchurch and the people there so beautifully and so vividly. I am inspired to find a bit of myself in Christchurch, too.
You can probably see where I am going with this. I loved this book. Antipodes is about letting go of everything you thought was important and finding your true self. Shed the unnecessary stuff. Toss the baggage. I loved Erin Cerise’s journey and I really felt her struggles to be both believable and relateable, especially in today’s world of high expectations and constant scrutiny.
After a disastrous celebration of her 17th birthday, the loss of her swim team captainship and now a severed relationship with her boyfriend, Erin is desperate to find a way to fix her future. In order to stand out to college prospects and make a good name for herself, she has decided that she will study abroad. Though when she first lands with her host family, she’s not so sure she’s made the right decision. Reading how Erin’s character stumbles, pushes back, grows and reflects on her mistakes was great. But what I enjoyed most was when she reflected on her youngest and truest self, her relationship with her grandparents and seeing how she learns to find herself again.
Michele Bacon writes her characters honestly – flawed, familiar and real. I fell in love with Pippa and Hank right away, Erin frustrated me at times, Hammish grew on me… each character brought something real to the story. That said, what stood out the most is Michele’s obvious love for New Zealand. Exploring Christchurch through the eyes of Erin (Michele) only made me want to visit for myself. Without actual pictures, Michele paints Christchurch and the people there so beautifully and so vividly. I am inspired to find a bit of myself in Christchurch, too.
June 24, 2020
First reviewed on Portrait of a Book: http://www.portraitofabook.com/2018/0...
First Thought After Finishing: I want to go to New Zealand, stat!
I love books with foreign settings, and I’ve always been intrigued by the beauty and lifestyle of Australia and New Zealand. I was excited to dive into Antipodes and experience a different way of life vicariously through Erin’s study abroad experience. Needless to say, this book everything I didn't know I wanted and needed at the moment.
Erin has her future all planned out. Clinch a swimming championship, be a fabulous cellist, get into Columbia, become a doctor, have a great life. Under the watchful eye of her powerful mother, Erin has worked her entire life to reach this dream. But new swimming students and one drunken night derail Erin’s plans. To save her college applications, Erin’s parents send her to study abroad. The new plan is simple: find something to wow Ivy League colleges. Instead, Erin discovers that sometimes you have to travel around the world just to find yourself.
At the beginning of this book, I did not care for Erin very much, despite (unfortunately) seeing a great deal of my former self in her. Despite having the opportunity to fix her mistake, she was focused only on what had gone wrong in her life and her parents’ worldview, which translated into being rather snobby toward and judgemental of her host family and those around her. However, it doesn’t take long for Erin to start to realize how life is different in New Zealand—slower, more relaxed. This calm gradually rubs off on Erin, and she starts to reevaluate what is really important in life.
This is a true story of self-discovery and proof of why travel is so important. She meets new friends—Jade, Marama, and Hank—who help to show her how life can be different. Honestly, I loved all of the New Zealanders that Erin meets. Her kiwi friends are the kind of friends everyone wants—welcoming and supportive without expectations. Her host family, despite having to learn how to get along with her, is warm and loving, and her younger sister is adorable. I especially enjoyed Hank’s life philosophy and hope that I am able to keep the words in mind as I move forward.
"New Zealand was changing her--or revealing parts of her she didn't know existed."
Erin’s journey resonated a great deal with me on a personal level. The lush, rich descriptions of the New Zealand landscape almost do justice to what must be breathtaking views. I cheered as Erin started to find her own voice and found something that made her truly happy—it was almost enough to make me want to go rock climbing, until I remembered that I’d likely die in such an attempt. Still, anyone who has ever had to rediscover themselves, break away from expectations, or simply wants to be transported will find something to love about this book.
Most Memorable Aspect: The New Zealand setting. I’m in love with all of the scenery described!
First Thought After Finishing: I want to go to New Zealand, stat!
I love books with foreign settings, and I’ve always been intrigued by the beauty and lifestyle of Australia and New Zealand. I was excited to dive into Antipodes and experience a different way of life vicariously through Erin’s study abroad experience. Needless to say, this book everything I didn't know I wanted and needed at the moment.
Erin has her future all planned out. Clinch a swimming championship, be a fabulous cellist, get into Columbia, become a doctor, have a great life. Under the watchful eye of her powerful mother, Erin has worked her entire life to reach this dream. But new swimming students and one drunken night derail Erin’s plans. To save her college applications, Erin’s parents send her to study abroad. The new plan is simple: find something to wow Ivy League colleges. Instead, Erin discovers that sometimes you have to travel around the world just to find yourself.
At the beginning of this book, I did not care for Erin very much, despite (unfortunately) seeing a great deal of my former self in her. Despite having the opportunity to fix her mistake, she was focused only on what had gone wrong in her life and her parents’ worldview, which translated into being rather snobby toward and judgemental of her host family and those around her. However, it doesn’t take long for Erin to start to realize how life is different in New Zealand—slower, more relaxed. This calm gradually rubs off on Erin, and she starts to reevaluate what is really important in life.
This is a true story of self-discovery and proof of why travel is so important. She meets new friends—Jade, Marama, and Hank—who help to show her how life can be different. Honestly, I loved all of the New Zealanders that Erin meets. Her kiwi friends are the kind of friends everyone wants—welcoming and supportive without expectations. Her host family, despite having to learn how to get along with her, is warm and loving, and her younger sister is adorable. I especially enjoyed Hank’s life philosophy and hope that I am able to keep the words in mind as I move forward.
"New Zealand was changing her--or revealing parts of her she didn't know existed."
Erin’s journey resonated a great deal with me on a personal level. The lush, rich descriptions of the New Zealand landscape almost do justice to what must be breathtaking views. I cheered as Erin started to find her own voice and found something that made her truly happy—it was almost enough to make me want to go rock climbing, until I remembered that I’d likely die in such an attempt. Still, anyone who has ever had to rediscover themselves, break away from expectations, or simply wants to be transported will find something to love about this book.
Most Memorable Aspect: The New Zealand setting. I’m in love with all of the scenery described!
March 29, 2018
Entry: antipodes, noun. “Exact opposites.”
Such are Erin’s beginning and resulting understandings of happiness after leaving her A-list social status in her suburban Chicago high school to spend a semester in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mirroring her own New Zealand self-discoveries in her latest protagonist is author Michele Bacon, presenting Antipodes as her second novel.
As a very determined Ivy League medical school hopeful, Erin has every step for her next fifteen years mapped out: “Great school, great job, great life.” When Erin loses her position as captain of her high school swimming team, loses her boyfriend, and embarrasses herself at a party, she and her mother attempt to repair Erin’s perfect college application with a semester spent studying abroad.
Upon arrival in Christchurch, however, Erin is disheartened to find that she’s signed up for five months of having to get around town without a car, attending a school that doesn’t allow makeup or jewelry, sharing a small bedroom with the daughter in her host family, and being on a completely different time schedule than her best friend. As the months pass, Erin makes new friends and learns the value of family, sets a national swimming record, sees other beautiful parts of New Zealand, and picks back up a forgotten instrument, all while slowly realizing that she’s prioritized the wrong things in her attempt to find happiness.
Within her writing, Bacon consciously draws parallels between Erin’s physical journey and her personal journey. For example, Bacon uses Erin’s interests in astronomy to name the Moon as a constant, clearly reflecting opposite points of view from Erin’s Northern Hemisphere home in Chicago compared to the view from Southern Hemisphere Christchurch. Also, Bacon demonstrates a uniquely creative writing skill by using an interesting variation of divergent thematic patterning in her narrative. With every few forward-moving chapters proceeding from Erin’s flight to Christchurch, there is a backstepping, flashed-back chapter from before Erin’s flight to Christchurch. As Erin experiences New Zealand and ultimately begins to reflect on who she is and what her passions are, we see a glimpse of the seeming antipode of the current point in time.
Through fresh use of literary device with strong character development and vivid descriptions of setting, Antipodes is a masterfully written novel that shows that even when meaning and direction seems lost, it’s not such a long journey back to true purpose.
Such are Erin’s beginning and resulting understandings of happiness after leaving her A-list social status in her suburban Chicago high school to spend a semester in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mirroring her own New Zealand self-discoveries in her latest protagonist is author Michele Bacon, presenting Antipodes as her second novel.
As a very determined Ivy League medical school hopeful, Erin has every step for her next fifteen years mapped out: “Great school, great job, great life.” When Erin loses her position as captain of her high school swimming team, loses her boyfriend, and embarrasses herself at a party, she and her mother attempt to repair Erin’s perfect college application with a semester spent studying abroad.
Upon arrival in Christchurch, however, Erin is disheartened to find that she’s signed up for five months of having to get around town without a car, attending a school that doesn’t allow makeup or jewelry, sharing a small bedroom with the daughter in her host family, and being on a completely different time schedule than her best friend. As the months pass, Erin makes new friends and learns the value of family, sets a national swimming record, sees other beautiful parts of New Zealand, and picks back up a forgotten instrument, all while slowly realizing that she’s prioritized the wrong things in her attempt to find happiness.
Within her writing, Bacon consciously draws parallels between Erin’s physical journey and her personal journey. For example, Bacon uses Erin’s interests in astronomy to name the Moon as a constant, clearly reflecting opposite points of view from Erin’s Northern Hemisphere home in Chicago compared to the view from Southern Hemisphere Christchurch. Also, Bacon demonstrates a uniquely creative writing skill by using an interesting variation of divergent thematic patterning in her narrative. With every few forward-moving chapters proceeding from Erin’s flight to Christchurch, there is a backstepping, flashed-back chapter from before Erin’s flight to Christchurch. As Erin experiences New Zealand and ultimately begins to reflect on who she is and what her passions are, we see a glimpse of the seeming antipode of the current point in time.
Through fresh use of literary device with strong character development and vivid descriptions of setting, Antipodes is a masterfully written novel that shows that even when meaning and direction seems lost, it’s not such a long journey back to true purpose.
April 6, 2018
I am so happy to have read this book. Most importantly, I am happy to have discovered another amazing writer, because “Antipodes” is such an interesting book, from so many perspectives. It brings forward many family issues and much personal development.
Erin has had a privileged life in the US. Her parents offered her a certain status among her school mates, with a car and money to spend. But all these were in exchange of a life without affection from their side and with only pressure to excel at activities that were not to her liking. She has her life mapped out by her mother, whose expectations are hard to accomplish. When her life is drastically changed, she is sent to New Zealand , for an exchange experience that would look good in her application for one of the top universities.
She discovers a world completely different from what she was used to in America. She discovers a family that is grateful for what they have, friends that are true friends and most importantly she discovers herself. She does the things she really likes to do. It is a journey to self-discovery and achieving that state of mind that makes one proud, or at least satisfied with oneself.
The author has done such an amazing job presenting the various contrasts between Erin’s life in the States and what she has in New Zealand. We find out step by step what happened to her social life that she has had to travel to the other part of the world. We see the differences between her host family and her parents. While ones were focused on being there for her and support her in the competitions, the others were more focused on the results and on why she could not do better. There is a romance starting as well and again we have a contrast between her ex-boyfriend and the boy she likes here. But probably the most important contrast is between who Erin is at the beginning of the book and who she becomes during her stay abroad.
I could go on and on about so many things in this book. This is one complex novel that deserves a much better analysis than the one I can provide in my review. To keep it as short as I can, I am more than happy to have read it and I am forever grateful that I had the chance to discover this amazing author! I cannot wait to read more books by Michele Bacon. Give this book a chance, it is so worth it!
Erin has had a privileged life in the US. Her parents offered her a certain status among her school mates, with a car and money to spend. But all these were in exchange of a life without affection from their side and with only pressure to excel at activities that were not to her liking. She has her life mapped out by her mother, whose expectations are hard to accomplish. When her life is drastically changed, she is sent to New Zealand , for an exchange experience that would look good in her application for one of the top universities.
She discovers a world completely different from what she was used to in America. She discovers a family that is grateful for what they have, friends that are true friends and most importantly she discovers herself. She does the things she really likes to do. It is a journey to self-discovery and achieving that state of mind that makes one proud, or at least satisfied with oneself.
The author has done such an amazing job presenting the various contrasts between Erin’s life in the States and what she has in New Zealand. We find out step by step what happened to her social life that she has had to travel to the other part of the world. We see the differences between her host family and her parents. While ones were focused on being there for her and support her in the competitions, the others were more focused on the results and on why she could not do better. There is a romance starting as well and again we have a contrast between her ex-boyfriend and the boy she likes here. But probably the most important contrast is between who Erin is at the beginning of the book and who she becomes during her stay abroad.
I could go on and on about so many things in this book. This is one complex novel that deserves a much better analysis than the one I can provide in my review. To keep it as short as I can, I am more than happy to have read it and I am forever grateful that I had the chance to discover this amazing author! I cannot wait to read more books by Michele Bacon. Give this book a chance, it is so worth it!
March 26, 2018
This book was a complete change of pace to what I have been reading recently. I did find it quite slow and difficult to start, I think that was mostly due to having trouble with Erin who I didn’t like much to begin with.
Though I wouldn’t say the pace picked up because this is a slow burn book as I got more invested in Erin and her time in New Zealand I found that it wasn’t a struggle to keep reading and looked forward to when I could immerse myself with the book for a few hours.
Erin is definitely a character that grows on you, at first she comes across as spoiled and entitled but the more time she spends with her host family and the friends that she makes the more likeable she becomes. The snippets of her home life make it easy to see why she is that way and as the book goes on it’s nice to see her re-evaluate what is important.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the flashback in this book, they are quite short and whilst they let you in on the catalyst for her move to New Zealand at points I felt they were a bit disruptive. However, the further I got into the story and the further back the flashbacks went they seemed to draw a parallel with the person that Erin was trying to find in herself and I looked forward to these little glimpses into a new side of her.
I loved the setting of New Zealand, I haven’t been but reading this book has moved it up the list. It’s not just the beautiful scenery, which is amazingly described, but also the relaxed atmosphere and attitude of its inhabitants that make it appealing. It seems like a place that is full of surprises and one that you wouldn’t want to leave in a hurry.
I think what I loved most about this book though is Erin’s relationship with her host family. It was lovely that they were so supportive and showed her how a family could be, even though they butted heads at times they also brought her back down to earth when she needed it. I also loved Pippa’s enthusiasm over everything.
If you love a character-driven story in a beautiful setting that leaves you feeling very uplifted then this is the book for you.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
Though I wouldn’t say the pace picked up because this is a slow burn book as I got more invested in Erin and her time in New Zealand I found that it wasn’t a struggle to keep reading and looked forward to when I could immerse myself with the book for a few hours.
Erin is definitely a character that grows on you, at first she comes across as spoiled and entitled but the more time she spends with her host family and the friends that she makes the more likeable she becomes. The snippets of her home life make it easy to see why she is that way and as the book goes on it’s nice to see her re-evaluate what is important.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the flashback in this book, they are quite short and whilst they let you in on the catalyst for her move to New Zealand at points I felt they were a bit disruptive. However, the further I got into the story and the further back the flashbacks went they seemed to draw a parallel with the person that Erin was trying to find in herself and I looked forward to these little glimpses into a new side of her.
I loved the setting of New Zealand, I haven’t been but reading this book has moved it up the list. It’s not just the beautiful scenery, which is amazingly described, but also the relaxed atmosphere and attitude of its inhabitants that make it appealing. It seems like a place that is full of surprises and one that you wouldn’t want to leave in a hurry.
I think what I loved most about this book though is Erin’s relationship with her host family. It was lovely that they were so supportive and showed her how a family could be, even though they butted heads at times they also brought her back down to earth when she needed it. I also loved Pippa’s enthusiasm over everything.
If you love a character-driven story in a beautiful setting that leaves you feeling very uplifted then this is the book for you.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
April 6, 2018
I enjoyed the book overall. It flowed nicely and gave you a great feel for the culture of New Zealand. The story was a journey and coming of age for Erin.
When you start the book Erin is not your favorite person. She is horribly snobby and rude to her host family. They are nothing but loving and kind to her. Towards Hank she looked down at him like he was nothing. She acted like she was better than everyone else and she wasn’t. Over time and as you see the flashbacks of her last year and what precipitated her ending up in New Zealand you understand more why she was as she was but it doesn’t help you swallow her attitude any better.
What we see as the story goes forward is Erin learn about herself and that she is unhappy. In New Zealand there is no pressure and she is able to evaluate herself and where she wants to be. She starts to look and explore life and really live it. She doesn’t worry about being the best or brightest only in finding her joy and living her life to be happy. It is Hank, her host family and new friends that have her realize this. That she needed change and needed to discover or rediscover herself. She was doing things to fulfill a resume and not because she enjoyed them. In New Zealand she learned about herself and what she enjoyed. She found a balance between life, competition and happiness. She found love and peace with her host family and found a romance with Hank.
The story is a great exploration of this young girl’s hopes and dreams. Of her discovering friendships, love, family, peace and happiness while doing it in a wonderful location. We learn about New Zealand along the way. We learn about what brought Erin to New Zealand and how much of a douche her ex Ben was. How judgemental everyone back home were. We learn about Erin and her feelings but also see her blossom and find her way. Her and Hank were opposites but worked together well. he helped her to see things from a different perspective and respected her. She loved him for not judging her but seeing the real Erin.
The story was entertaining and wonderful. A journey of one girl to rediscover who she is and what she loves while exploring a new place and relationships between family, friends and a boy.
When you start the book Erin is not your favorite person. She is horribly snobby and rude to her host family. They are nothing but loving and kind to her. Towards Hank she looked down at him like he was nothing. She acted like she was better than everyone else and she wasn’t. Over time and as you see the flashbacks of her last year and what precipitated her ending up in New Zealand you understand more why she was as she was but it doesn’t help you swallow her attitude any better.
What we see as the story goes forward is Erin learn about herself and that she is unhappy. In New Zealand there is no pressure and she is able to evaluate herself and where she wants to be. She starts to look and explore life and really live it. She doesn’t worry about being the best or brightest only in finding her joy and living her life to be happy. It is Hank, her host family and new friends that have her realize this. That she needed change and needed to discover or rediscover herself. She was doing things to fulfill a resume and not because she enjoyed them. In New Zealand she learned about herself and what she enjoyed. She found a balance between life, competition and happiness. She found love and peace with her host family and found a romance with Hank.
The story is a great exploration of this young girl’s hopes and dreams. Of her discovering friendships, love, family, peace and happiness while doing it in a wonderful location. We learn about New Zealand along the way. We learn about what brought Erin to New Zealand and how much of a douche her ex Ben was. How judgemental everyone back home were. We learn about Erin and her feelings but also see her blossom and find her way. Her and Hank were opposites but worked together well. he helped her to see things from a different perspective and respected her. She loved him for not judging her but seeing the real Erin.
The story was entertaining and wonderful. A journey of one girl to rediscover who she is and what she loves while exploring a new place and relationships between family, friends and a boy.
July 18, 2018
This is a fun one. The author is the sister-in-law of one of my oldest and dearest friends and that's what prompted me to pick this up off the library shelf. Then reading the blurb, I discovered it's set in New Zealand! I knew Liz's brother and his wife had lived in Christchurch, and when she visited me last year, she said his wife was a YA author....
Anyway. The book.
It's about a super-driven girl called Erin who takes an exchange to Christchurch to escape a humiliating event back home. Erin's mother is incredibly controlling and Erin's entire life has been micro-managed to groom her for the Ivy League. Getting kicked off the swim team and going viral vomiting pink goo while half naked at a party weren't part of the plan.
So to try and claw back something of merit for her college applications, Erin agrees to go on the exchange. She thinks it will be a breeze. They speak English in New Zealand, and her mother has already arranged a cello so she can keep up with her practicing.
When she arrives, Erin is surprised by how different New Zealand is. Firstly, it's winter. People drive on the other side of the road. Houses are cold except for the room people are in. Kids wear uniforms to school and jewelry and make-up isn't allowed.
Erin thinks she'll hate it, but after she's invited to go rock climbing and discovered the awesome views one gets from the mountains, she starts to change her mind. And there's that sexy climber too, who might just have a little to do with her appreciation for the new sport...
I quite enjoyed this book. It was fun to see my country through the eyes of an outsider. It was funny because I'd had a conversation about how horrible New Zealand heating is with my German friends just a week or so before reading this. The book is told with flashbacks to Erin's childhood, and the night of her humiliation and various other snippets from her life at home between each of the sections set in Christchurch.
Unfortunately I didn't really like Erin as a character, especially at the beginning of the book. And the flashbacks to her past made me like her (and her mother) less. I started to warm up to her a little toward the end of the book, but it was a little too late to make me change my mind about her.
But I can say one thing... I'm certainly never going to be that kind of mother!
Anyway. The book.
It's about a super-driven girl called Erin who takes an exchange to Christchurch to escape a humiliating event back home. Erin's mother is incredibly controlling and Erin's entire life has been micro-managed to groom her for the Ivy League. Getting kicked off the swim team and going viral vomiting pink goo while half naked at a party weren't part of the plan.
So to try and claw back something of merit for her college applications, Erin agrees to go on the exchange. She thinks it will be a breeze. They speak English in New Zealand, and her mother has already arranged a cello so she can keep up with her practicing.
When she arrives, Erin is surprised by how different New Zealand is. Firstly, it's winter. People drive on the other side of the road. Houses are cold except for the room people are in. Kids wear uniforms to school and jewelry and make-up isn't allowed.
Erin thinks she'll hate it, but after she's invited to go rock climbing and discovered the awesome views one gets from the mountains, she starts to change her mind. And there's that sexy climber too, who might just have a little to do with her appreciation for the new sport...
I quite enjoyed this book. It was fun to see my country through the eyes of an outsider. It was funny because I'd had a conversation about how horrible New Zealand heating is with my German friends just a week or so before reading this. The book is told with flashbacks to Erin's childhood, and the night of her humiliation and various other snippets from her life at home between each of the sections set in Christchurch.
Unfortunately I didn't really like Erin as a character, especially at the beginning of the book. And the flashbacks to her past made me like her (and her mother) less. I started to warm up to her a little toward the end of the book, but it was a little too late to make me change my mind about her.
But I can say one thing... I'm certainly never going to be that kind of mother!
September 16, 2023
Beautiful coming - of - age story about young American Erin Cerise. Who travels half way around the world, from Chicago to Christchurch NZ.to be an Exchange Student in an effort boost her college application to Colombia
Leave behind a thoughtless boyfriend, ( Ben ) a disaster of a seventeenth birthday ( that went viral ) her Helicopter parents ( a mother micro managing her life ) and her bestie, Lalitha.
Once she gets over the culture shock Erin discovers her true self, questioning all her life choices up to this point.
She discovered not only a new environment, but a beautiful host family, plus, whole bunch of new friends, especially the tattooed labourer, Hank, who teaches her what TRUE happiness is.
A beautiful, sweet story where Erin finds out what truely important to her, and what direction she wants to move in.
As we follow her in the present, we go back retrospectively, to the time leading up to her departure from the U. S,and why she is at such a crossroads in her life.
Four stars
Leave behind a thoughtless boyfriend, ( Ben ) a disaster of a seventeenth birthday ( that went viral ) her Helicopter parents ( a mother micro managing her life ) and her bestie, Lalitha.
Once she gets over the culture shock Erin discovers her true self, questioning all her life choices up to this point.
She discovered not only a new environment, but a beautiful host family, plus, whole bunch of new friends, especially the tattooed labourer, Hank, who teaches her what TRUE happiness is.
A beautiful, sweet story where Erin finds out what truely important to her, and what direction she wants to move in.
As we follow her in the present, we go back retrospectively, to the time leading up to her departure from the U. S,and why she is at such a crossroads in her life.
Four stars
July 7, 2018
I started this book and was sure I was going to dislike it because I had no sympathy for the teen lead. I went to High School on Long Island and there were lots of students who fit the mold of the family/mom portrayed in this book. I had no sympathy for it. But I kept reading and I enjoyed the very natural evolution of the character. My only complaint would be a lack of feel for time shifting. The characters were complaining about how cold winter was and within a week, or two it was suddenly spring and no one was complaining about the cold any more and then they were on holiday and swimming in the ocean. This might be true in NZ you can do that but here, on the East Coast of USA the water doesn't warm up that fast.
December 30, 2018
If I was 14 or 15, I would love this book but I’m an adult reading this book and so it was not so great. The character is an ugly American who is written this way for the only reason is so that she can change in the story. Spoiler alert, she supposed to be less self-centered in the end but, ironically, finds herself. A lot of the dialogue is wooden and “telly”. Additionally, information about New Zealand is forced into the story at odd times, along with awkward values that feel equally forced. The chapters were very short so that made it fly by. So basically, if you are adult reader pass this book by.
July 23, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It gives us a great perspective of life here compared to life in other countries. It's an eye-opener for those who have never been anywhere outside the US. If it isn't, it should be. The one fault I found was how Erin's Mom, Claire was so agreeable to her staying or going to school in NZ. Given the selfish and controlling nature of Claire, I feel she would have been much more opposed to Erin's plan. Otherwise, I thought it was a great book. It made me want to go to NZ.
February 13, 2019
Really enjoyed this and read it nearly in one sitting. I forgot I had gotten it at either ALA or BookExpo 2018. Yes, the main character is rather unlikable at the beginning, but that's purposeful, since she needs to grow during her semester abroad. Although I started off enjoying the flashback chapters, I was much more invested in Erin's present than her past. Hank definitely got added to my "swoony Asian boys of YA" list.
May 1, 2020
Loved it . Erin was an entitled spoiled girl when first arriving as an exchange student in New Zealand . She was with a loving family of modest means and had no car -had to wear a uniform to school etc. Her mother had set her daughter’s goals -captain of swim team -top Cello player -Ap courses all to go to Columbia . In New Zealand Erin changed so much . Hank helped her saying do what makes you happy so she really questioned everything .
April 26, 2018
Dear teenagers with "it will help with your college apps" helicopter parents,
Read this book, then subtly suggest that your mom (or dad or pushiest guardian) read it. You'll feel better. You'll understand one another better. It's a win win. Plus, it's super beautiful and romantic and funny and all of the things we all want.
Read this book, then subtly suggest that your mom (or dad or pushiest guardian) read it. You'll feel better. You'll understand one another better. It's a win win. Plus, it's super beautiful and romantic and funny and all of the things we all want.
July 11, 2021
I like a lot of books but i really love this one. Its wholesome and filled my heart with happiness. I was sad when i read the final page because i could have kept on reading about Erin. In a way i feel like her as well..lost. This book made me realize i need a little dose of New Zealand as well!
November 4, 2022
I enjoyed this one, and it was fun to read about New Zealand since I’m headed there this summer! While the plot was predictable, the book had a good message… I thought about how nice it would be if America embraced the sort of educational and life beliefs of the New Zealand people.
March 23, 2018
Review Coming Soon
May 12, 2018
Sweet coming of age novel that was hard to put down. I’m ready to move to New Zealand now! :)
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