pickThis is my least favorite of Laurence's Manawaka series, but still worth reading! My issue, I think, is I still didn't feel like I KNEW Vanessa by the end. And since Vanessa is an adolescent for most of the book, I think that was intentional. She probably didn't really know herself. Instead we get to know other people through Vanessa's eyes. The stories are well done, just less engaging somehow. Also, poor Nanuk! ☹️🐶
#manakwakans
merelybookish @vivastory @BarbaraBB @batsy @LeahBergen 3y
BarbaraBB Excellent review. I think you‘re right about Laurence‘s intentions but it didn‘t have as much effect on me either. 3y
vivastory That's very interesting about her not knowing herself. I think that was definitely my issue, it felt like all of the other characters were more real. And, I completely agree about Nanuk. That section broke my heart. 3y
merelybookish @vivastory @BarbaraBB I think it speaks to Laurence's craft that she is able to write Vanessa in this way. She never felt unreal to me, but just elusive. But not like she was intentionally hiding anything. Just that was un-developed in a way. It comes through often how much she doesn't understand what she is witnessing. 3y
batsy The Nanuk bit was just quietly devastating 💔 3y
55 likes5 comments