Warrior Queen

by Barbara Else

The talented, extrovert Kate Wildburn, surgeon's wife, mother of two lovely children, is very comfortable with her life. But, one day she finds a mysterious motel bill in her husband's dry cleaning. This novel is a black comedy of marriage and infidelity.

Hardcover

First published February 6, 1998

About the author

Barbara Else is a playwright and fiction writer, and has also worked as a literary agent, editor and fiction consultant. Else won the Victoria University Writer’s Fellowship in 1999, and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature in 2005.

Reviews

[Caroline Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because it is such a hilarious romp through Auckland's late 1980s/early 1990s dysfunctional high society. And five stars because it lead me down a rabbit warren of memories...and then research...by Else's mention of the giant singing vegetables at that surreal Mt Wellington supermarket that once existed, Big Fresh.

If you didn't experience it, here's a good article from The Spinoff: Remembering Big Fresh: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/07-0...

But - NEWSFLASH - those giant singing veggies haven't gone to the junk yard. I knew I'd seen them on the way up to north to Baylys Beach, and I was right. The lovely lady at Kaipara Kumara reception confirmed this for me: the giant fruit and veges may no longer sing, but they are alive and well, gracing the factory's Ruawai roofline. What do you know?!

Aside from that, Else's dialogue is priceless, and she allows her characters to parody themselves and others, making it a great read of a particular era.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.... an easy read with a few laughs, thanks to our Warrior Queen.

[lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this!

hilarious, totally dysfunctional, some completely unlikable characters, and all based in a city i know very well which i'm definitely not used to.

[Janet Hills · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I read this book after reading Barbara Else's memoir Laughing in the dark.
I was somewhat disappointed as basically it was just her memoir again (or previous as it was written prior to Laughing in the dark)
It was poorly written - naive and childish.
The editing was appalling given that Barbara promotes herself as a literary giant and professional editor. There were so many editorial errors it must be embarrassing to her. Spelling, grammar, character errors etc - At one point the main characters 15yr old daughter is credited with advising her mother to have an affair with a gynecologist - when in fact the actual character who should be credited with this statement would have been the sister....
it would appear that much of the novel was verbalized on a Dictaphone and then translated into print - but never re read and edited! appalling !!
the story line was shallow and self serving.
I will certainly never read Barbara Else again - What a joke and a slight on good NZ literature!!

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deutscher Titel: "Kann denn Rache Sünde sein" im Goldmann Verlag

Ich habe diesen Roman von einer Freundin, die ihn selbst nie gelesen hat, als Spende für Bookcrossing erhalten. Nun kann ich auch ein Votum abgeben: ein durchaus humorvoll geschriebener Frauenroman. Die hintergangene Arztgattin heckt einen Racheplan zur Rück-Eroberung des untreuen Ehegatten aus. Abgesehen davon, dass es interessant und vermutlich gar nicht so lebensfremd ist, dass sie den Loser-Typen überhaupt zurück will, überrschten mich die modischen Ansichten der Dame. Aber vielleicht liegt das daran, dass der Geschmack in Neuseeland doch etwas anders zu sein scheint.

[Susan Wilson]

I remember first reading this when it came out but not having had a significant relationship (or children myself) I think much of it floated past me. Now, I wanted it to keep going. I suspect many might call her a woman of her time but surely Kate was more than that….smart, funny, great (normally dysfunctional) kids, talented, articulate. I just don’t get why she would stay with revolting Richard. I loved the games she played, and that they never had an actual conversation about it (felt very real) and I even loved farty Satan. Was so easy to read again. Can’t wait to hear which aspects Else took from her own life when I hear her speak at the Auckland Writers festival next month.

[Ineka · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time reading this NZ author, perhaps better known for her books for children. Wronged wife goes on the offensive - set in Auckland's wealthier suburbs, this was a very funny, fast-paced read with great characters. Reminded me of a Barbara Trapido novel with more humour and less pretension. Will definitely hunt out more from Barbara Else!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

So so, not that great, more a novel than anything, mediocre. Nothing to write home about.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, some lightness, some thought provoking, not all ends tied up neatly.

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like the characters in this book.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - but should probably try it again