The Read Around The World Book Club discussion

First thoughts

What book are we talking about here?

Chappy by Patricia Grace

I’ve now started this book three times and can’t figure it out - confusing beginning for me. I think it might have to be one of those books I read aloud to make clearer sense. Trying again!

Clear go at it last night and enjoying it very much thus far. Will pop in later with more thoughts.

So glad you are enjoying it.

Sometimes I just have to read through and it becomes clear as the story progresses.

First impression 👍

This book just sucked me right in. Started it while traveling to Mexico for work this week and couldn’t stop reading!!! I thought the beginning was a little confusing to get all the players straight, but that was sorted out.

Quote from the 2nd chapter: I said to him, ‘What’s blood made of?’ ‘Air, rain and horseshoes,’ he said, and he laughed, throwing his head back.

It took me a bit to get into the story but after about 3 chapters, I began to really enjoy the read. I think one of the problems was that I had to let go of the idea/question: "This is all very interesting but what has this to do with Daniel getting his act together?" a question which was triggered by the lengthy prologue...

Britta wrote: "It took me a bit to get into the story but after about 3 chapters, I began to really enjoy the read. I think one of the problems was that I had to let go of the idea/question: "This is all very int..."

It was the same for me Britta. In the beginning there seemed to be sudden shifts from one topic to another. Either I'm no longing noticing the choppy transitions or they are no longer?.

I'm so glad to be reading this on the Kindle so I have the dictionary and wikipedia built in for all the Maori terms.

A few words or phrases that've caught my attention: moontalk, "That's how I was thinking of her, moontalking as I walked the boards."

"...loneliness was like a needle that entered somewhere at the base of her throat."

"... relatives that turned me into a seagull and waved me out to sea."

Fortunately this book arrived in time for me to read it in May, which I wasn’t expecting!

Absolutely agree that the first passages about Daniel seem irrelevant (so far) & didn’t engage me. The story of Moonface had me hooked right in, & from there I’ve been really enjoying it.

So much interesting history here that I’m completely ignorant of. I would never have supposed that a Maori man could turn up in Hawaii and settle in nicely and communicate with the native population.

Heartbroken about Moonface, I am really enjoying this so far. I really like this question stuff about “who is your mountain? Who is your river? Who are your ancestors? Who is your name? I like all the bits about home and identity, about travel and staying, about being connected to the land and how hard life was for the Maori.

Hi guys...I’ve only just had the chance to get to this book...sorry. So it took me a while to get into the story and figure out who is who and I feel like a family tree included would have helped, however I’ve got more into this book now and am really enjoying it. I think the part about Moonface was heartbreaking and I hope we find more out about what happens to him! I love all the characters and the family are just lovely....I feel like Chappy is just a minor character at the moment and the romance is just a sub plot, I am looking forward to more of Chappy’s story...what we have learned so far was so sad and I felt so sorry for him! I am also enjoying he format of this book...can’t wait to carry on with it.