A Blue Forest
Author: Marcus Campbell
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When Jill's life is wrecked by domestic tragedy she finds meaning and purpose tending eucalyptus trees on the property of an extraordinary English nun, Sister Isobel, who has settled in a remote and beautiful corner of New Zealand. Jill's husband Martin, confined to a wheelchair after a road accident, also comes to see new possibilities in life while staying at Sister Isobel's Hermitage. Is she, in fact, a miracle-worker through prayer or personal charisma or both? But neighbours are secretly growing cannabis on the nun's property. When Jill discovers this, her rash action jeopardizes her own future and Martin's and even - after a series of bizarre and destructive skirmishes - that of Sister Isobel herself. 'I was intrigued and engaged by the novel. My main impression was of an author I could trust, which I think is always a key issue for first-time novelists. Given that some of the material is quite edgy and difficult, I thought the writing had grace and poise as well as considerable power.' Sara Maitland, novelist
About the authorMarcus Campbell was born in New Zealand in 1951. He studied English literature and drama (BA, Wellington), set-design (MA, California) and directing (MFA Canada), then pursued a career in theatre as a designer, director, actor and writer. His plays have been performed in Auckland, Seattle, Juneau (Alaska) and Greenwich Village (New York) and selected for the NZ National Playwrights' Workshop (1983). He was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship (1977), the Frank Sargeson Award for short story writing (1981, see: OUP New Zealand Short Stories, 1983, reprinted as Cabernet Sauvignon with my Brother) and has been a semi-finalist in the Katherine Mansfield short story competition. A Blue Forest is his first novel. Readers' Reviews
Created at: 23-11-2010 @ 12:46:01 GMT By savian.bruno@libertysurf.fr
Reviewed by Peter Barrett This is an unusual very well-written novel. It is set in a rural part of New Zealand's North Island, an area I have stayed in briefly a couple of times, so I was able to appreciate the evocative descriptions of the landscape. It is a complicated, many-layered story, handled most convincingly, with well drawn, believable characters. The eccentric English nun, Isobel, is a particularly sympathetic creation, drawn with love and humour. Jill whose life has been changed by a serious accident to her husband is a strong central character. Her daughter Melissa who dies in another accident is a most touching and convincing creation. Mentioning these two accidents may make this seem like a gloomy read, but it is certainly not. It has exciting sub-plots that keep you interested throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me think quite hard about religion and death, which I didn't really expect, as I normally try not to thinkg about these subjects.
Created at: 29-06-2010 @ 12:28:07 GMT By
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