Unsuitable Friends

by Fiona Kidman

169 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1988

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

[Keen Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars!

This is a fairly enjoyable collection of parochial Kiwi stories. It throws up the occasional surprise and sometimes ventures into some darker realms. But overall this is a subtle, intimate and understated series of snapshots.

Kidman is particularly good on the small moments, little exchanges the way she nicely captures the nuance and intricacy of looks, gestures and actions which can really shift the mood in the air and give a sharpness and potency to certain passages.

[Boadicea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but worthwhile collection from the Eighties. Somewhat uneven but 3 memorable short stories when she aspires to the wit and story in miniature that, to me, Katherine Mansfield personifies.
"Earthly Shadows", "Needles and Glass", "Pudding" shone, "Puff Adder", "At the Lake So Blue" came close but, for me, "The Courting of Nora" and "Beyond the Wall" missed a few beats. Too much telling, not enough showing.
Oh well, onto her novels next ..

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good writer. These stories are of their time.