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Everything Changes
Buying a rundown motel to start a new life — what could possibly go wrong? In this funny and moving novel, prize-winning author Stephanie Johnson turns her wry eye on us.
288 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2021
11 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Johnson
23 books26 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database. 5^
Stephanie Johnson is the author of several collections of poetry and of short stories, some plays and adaptations, and many fine novels. The New Zealand Listener commented that ‘Stephanie Johnson is a writer of talent and distinction. Over the course of an award-winning career — during which she has written plays, poetry, short stories and novels — she has become a significant presence in the New Zealand literary landscape, a presence cemented and enhanced by her roles as critic and creative writing teacher.' the Shag Incident won the Montana Deutz Medal for Fiction in 2003, and Belief was shortlisted for the same award. Stephanie has also won the Bruce Mason Playwrights Award and Katherine Mansfield Fellowship, and was the 2001 Literary Fellow at the University of Auckland. Many of her novels have been published in Australia, America and the United Kingdom. She co-founded the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival with Peter Wells in 1999.
Stephanie Johnson is the author of several collections of poetry and of short stories, some plays and adaptations, and many fine novels. The New Zealand Listener commented that ‘Stephanie Johnson is a writer of talent and distinction. Over the course of an award-winning career — during which she has written plays, poetry, short stories and novels — she has become a significant presence in the New Zealand literary landscape, a presence cemented and enhanced by her roles as critic and creative writing teacher.' the Shag Incident won the Montana Deutz Medal for Fiction in 2003, and Belief was shortlisted for the same award. Stephanie has also won the Bruce Mason Playwrights Award and Katherine Mansfield Fellowship, and was the 2001 Literary Fellow at the University of Auckland. Many of her novels have been published in Australia, America and the United Kingdom. She co-founded the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival with Peter Wells in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 24, 2022
I enjoyed all the challenges/changes the characters faced and the humour based on sociological reflections [well piss taking mostly.] That kept me returning to it.
The ending was a bit disappointing just because it seemed to come too quickly and easily and is somewhat sentimental, however it does acknowledge that there are still challenges to come.
The ending was a bit disappointing just because it seemed to come too quickly and easily and is somewhat sentimental, however it does acknowledge that there are still challenges to come.
October 12, 2021
I enjoyed this wacky novel about a dysfunctional couple who buy a dysfunctional motel to convert into a reading retreat without wifi. What could possibly go wrong?
May 30, 2023
The writing style was painful to read and each character was thoroughly unpleasant. I gave up when Liz explains that she raped a random stranger for fun. A disgusting book
December 24, 2022
This is a punchy read, with some slightly outrageous characters among the more ordinary ones, and some pretty strong language. I liked it a lot, it stands out as different, while focusing on quite common themes, family disfunction, finding one’s true self, change and how to deal with it. Set in NZ, country town on the North island , another reason I liked it.
February 17, 2022
Stephanie Johnson is a consistent crowd-pleaser (if I'm the crowd) - and this 2022 Ockham Award-longlisted title is no exception.
The book is set in Northland and centres around a family - 2 adults, their pregnant adult daughter, and their dog - who have made a move out of Auckland and are going to run a B&B.
The narration starts with a slightly alarming chapter of brain farts - I wondered if Johnson had gone experimental on me. That gets explained eventually. It settles into a perspective shift every few pages, all first-person. I rather liked the few slightly unanchored moments of each new chapter as I tried to figure out who was narrating.
The characters are all strong and distinct, and I felt almost immediate affection for nearly all of them, even the dog. The family's situation is difficult in several different ways and Johnson deals deftly with these difficulties.
The book has plenty of Kiwi absurdity, but I also found myself picturing a film version at times and I wondered if Johnson purposely wrote something that would transfer easily to the screen.
All this is to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure it will win the award, as it's not especially socially or literarily edgy, but it's a great read nonetheless.
Posted on www.instagram.com/avrbookstuff.
Please shop at your local indie bookstore.
The book is set in Northland and centres around a family - 2 adults, their pregnant adult daughter, and their dog - who have made a move out of Auckland and are going to run a B&B.
The narration starts with a slightly alarming chapter of brain farts - I wondered if Johnson had gone experimental on me. That gets explained eventually. It settles into a perspective shift every few pages, all first-person. I rather liked the few slightly unanchored moments of each new chapter as I tried to figure out who was narrating.
The characters are all strong and distinct, and I felt almost immediate affection for nearly all of them, even the dog. The family's situation is difficult in several different ways and Johnson deals deftly with these difficulties.
The book has plenty of Kiwi absurdity, but I also found myself picturing a film version at times and I wondered if Johnson purposely wrote something that would transfer easily to the screen.
All this is to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not sure it will win the award, as it's not especially socially or literarily edgy, but it's a great read nonetheless.
Posted on www.instagram.com/avrbookstuff.
Please shop at your local indie bookstore.
February 27, 2023
If we have the three main components of a novel being plot, settings and characters, this is a character study first and foremost. There is also some interesting exploration of locations and situations familiar to Auckland locals - Maungawhau, Hobsonville Point (a house with five bathrooms and no outside space(!)), and a character missing the turning and ending up going over the Harbour Bridge by mistake. The plot, which I thought would be the main drawcard, being the story of a couple abandoning conventional life to take over a run-down motel in the Brynderwyns, turns out to be merely a vessel to introduce characters.
The whole book is told first person, from the perspective of the multiple protagonists, a confusing format until you figure out who is talking. We have the proprietors, Col and Davie, married, struggling with everything, seeking change for change's sake. Their terrifying pregnant daughter Liv, criminal neighbour Choirmaster, and clients Aiden, Nicky and Julia, plus the dog - Muzza/Kaos. Of these characters the one I felt I got to know best was Liv, whose first person dialogues are very revealing. Others, like Choir, though he has a fascinating backstory, felt undeveloped and I didn't understand his motivations or his history - I ended up wondering what was going on with him.
It's an interesting vehicle for a novel, but I would have liked a bit more exploration of these characters and what motivates them, and also the operations of the motel. In particular it would have been nice to have had a bit of resolution, especially on Choir's story. I didn't quite understand what Aiden's story was intended to achieve either.
Overall though, I felt the best part of the novel were those observations about local places I've visited, it's fun to read for someone who knows the Brynderwyns or Auckland. I'm also left wanting more which is a good sign. Many of the storylines are left hanging - maybe waiting for a sequel?
The whole book is told first person, from the perspective of the multiple protagonists, a confusing format until you figure out who is talking. We have the proprietors, Col and Davie, married, struggling with everything, seeking change for change's sake. Their terrifying pregnant daughter Liv, criminal neighbour Choirmaster, and clients Aiden, Nicky and Julia, plus the dog - Muzza/Kaos. Of these characters the one I felt I got to know best was Liv, whose first person dialogues are very revealing. Others, like Choir, though he has a fascinating backstory, felt undeveloped and I didn't understand his motivations or his history - I ended up wondering what was going on with him.
It's an interesting vehicle for a novel, but I would have liked a bit more exploration of these characters and what motivates them, and also the operations of the motel. In particular it would have been nice to have had a bit of resolution, especially on Choir's story. I didn't quite understand what Aiden's story was intended to achieve either.
Overall though, I felt the best part of the novel were those observations about local places I've visited, it's fun to read for someone who knows the Brynderwyns or Auckland. I'm also left wanting more which is a good sign. Many of the storylines are left hanging - maybe waiting for a sequel?
April 7, 2022
Probably 3.5 stars because even though I loved everything about this book I somehow didn't enjoy it as much as I felt like I should, if that makes a mangled kind of sense. As a 50 something Aucklander this was spookily familiar: the media connection, the creative hands-on stuff, divorce, the west auckland film production stuff, sooo familiar and all done with a wry sense of humour. I particularly liked how each character speaks in their own voice and just how profoundly different people are is very well reflected. The sociopathic daughter with zero empathy, the cruisy husband who just wants an easy life, the stressed post-menopausal woman soppyily in love with her dog, the young Maori guy who doesn't know where on earth these neurotic bourgeois pakeha are coming from.....but everyone muddles along just like in real life. I love how unpretentious this is, real recognisable characters from someone who really knows their craft and wants to write a book that people enjoy and see themselves reflected in. It's the kind of book that overseas readers in bigger markets are very well served by but in NZ we have too many drab literary wannabe's who it seems are more interested in impressing their friends and colleagues rather the reader. A real gem, I love Stephanie Johnson and will read more.
January 20, 2024
An ageing couple buy a property in an isolated area of the Brynderwyns, in New Zealand, with the idea to run a retreat away from the wirld, and it's connections - no internet, phones checked in at reception. The property and vision needs a bit - a lot - of work, but Davie lovingly, and loyally follows Con's ideas and directions, always.
Davie and Con's daughter, Liv, soon lands at the property, returning from years away in LA, disgruntled, broke, pregnant and brooding. Soon, paying guests have booked, rooms and meals are to be made. A local lad is employed to help with the maintenance and building the vision.
Told from ever-shifting perspectives, the story builds it's layers and angles. A bit of immersive book series adoration, some pathological parenting, a stray dog to win hearts, and a mystery solved.
A story about change, retreat, the choices we all make that no one understands, and the chaos and life that eventuates.
Davie and Con's daughter, Liv, soon lands at the property, returning from years away in LA, disgruntled, broke, pregnant and brooding. Soon, paying guests have booked, rooms and meals are to be made. A local lad is employed to help with the maintenance and building the vision.
Told from ever-shifting perspectives, the story builds it's layers and angles. A bit of immersive book series adoration, some pathological parenting, a stray dog to win hearts, and a mystery solved.
A story about change, retreat, the choices we all make that no one understands, and the chaos and life that eventuates.
April 22, 2021
A dysfunctional family buy a dysfunctional old motel and hope to start a new life there. Mother, Col, father, Davie and daughter Liv all have their own secrets and downfalls that come into light as they host their first customers.
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The book was well written. The characters were funny, relatable and genuine...however I did finish the book wondering ‘what did I just read?’. It was unpredictable yes but possibly not believable! So many bad and crazy things happened to these characters it just wasn’t quite how reality is, (in my opinion).
It was modern and quirky and I enjoyed that this book was set in New Zealand. It was an easy and quick read.
June 29, 2021
I so wanted to love this more. It was cleverly written, with the story being told from a number of different perspectives. And I did laugh out loud a few times. I brought this in hard copy, with great aspirations to send it off proudly to friends in the US so they could indulge in some good quality Kiwi literature. However, I am not sure they would appreciate the 'dialect', and the last few chapters just felt hollow and rather ridiculous. It may translate well into a comedy film though. Having said that, I'm not sure I'd watch it, as I found the daughter character to be a spoiled, foul-mouthed little mongrel. I definitely much preferred the dog.
April 7, 2023
An older couple buy a run-down motel north of Auckland to start a new life and business – a retreat without internet connections. Their wayward, pregnant daughter joins them, and they employ a young man who is on home detention with a monitored ‘bracelet’. Their first guests are a reclusive writer and a mother with an anorexic daughter, and it all goes on from there.
I really enjoyed reading this book even if at times I wanted to hit some of the more self-obsessed characters over the head. As the narrators changed the reader was able to see events and people from different perspectives and this rounded them out in a very satisfying way.
I really enjoyed reading this book even if at times I wanted to hit some of the more self-obsessed characters over the head. As the narrators changed the reader was able to see events and people from different perspectives and this rounded them out in a very satisfying way.
April 27, 2022
A pretty good, entertaining story with an interesting plot and cast of characters - centred around an older couple and their pregnant daughter moving into and restoring a dilapidated motel in Northland.
I was quite let down by the writing though, and thought that the narrative technique of multiple viewpoints with each chapter switching between characters didn't really work for me. I like the idea, but the execution here definitely didn't capture unique voices for each character - every chapter still felt like it was written by the same person.
I was quite let down by the writing though, and thought that the narrative technique of multiple viewpoints with each chapter switching between characters didn't really work for me. I like the idea, but the execution here definitely didn't capture unique voices for each character - every chapter still felt like it was written by the same person.
September 1, 2021
4.5. By the author who started the Auckland Writers Festival. Well written with a real Kiwi flavour. Page turner as things spiral out of control. A variety of narrators are used but this doesn’t get confusing due to their distinctive voices - even the dog! Loved it.
February 16, 2022
Excellent read with engaging and often funny characters who all share their points of view - even the dog, Kaos/Muzza (who is a poet). Johnson balances slang and sweary bits with breathtaking descriptive text, and a bit of adventure. Longlisted for Ockham NZ Book Awards this year.
December 3, 2022
Loved and adored Muzza’s POV.
Liv and Juju ares such a munted human-beings. Liv in particular, and I wanted to know so much more about her.
Choir could have his own novel.
Loved the descriptive language
Liv and Juju ares such a munted human-beings. Liv in particular, and I wanted to know so much more about her.
Choir could have his own novel.
Loved the descriptive language
April 16, 2021
Well written and interesting from the point of view it is based in the upper North Island but the story itself didn’t do it for me (too old?).
May 13, 2021
Unusual and interesting characters, with some great dialogue, but I found the plot a little unrealistic.
January 27, 2022
Really enjoyed this one! Surprising and funny as well as heartfelt. And a potential new favourite author...!
February 28, 2022
Poor ending. Did not like any of the characters. Unconvincing
March 2, 2022
Really clever, funny novel
April 21, 2022
A quirky book with a wild plotline which was punctuated with local places around Auckland and Northland (I loved that).
April 25, 2022
2.5 🌟. Enjoyed the writing but some characters didn't make sense.
May 20, 2022
Dog poetry are my favorite parts. Odd to be able to identify the areas travelled. Lots of redemption.
July 17, 2022
Liked it! It sizzles along. It’s very topical and current in it’s New Zealand setting. I like the changes in the point of view, especially from the dog. It doesn’t really come to a tidy end.
December 29, 2022
Average. Easy to read but lacked depth.
August 10, 2023
A quirky story of a family and various other odd characters who move to a remote area to run a guest house. It
It's a bit farcical short and sweet. An entertaining light read.
It's a bit farcical short and sweet. An entertaining light read.
November 4, 2023
I rarely fail to finish a book, but I just couldn't keep going with this one. The constant change of narrator was confusing, the writing style was disjointed and I just could not keep going with it.
March 13, 2025
A hard read. A different style of writing which I found challenging. I stuck with it and sort of enjoyed the story ... But nearly gave up a few times.
February 5, 2022
Couldn't get into this. Didn't like it at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews