Blogs in January 1970

The Beloved 1st January 1970

When Roberta “Bertie” Lightfoot is struck down with polio, her world collapses. But Mama doesn’t tolerate self-pity, and Bertie is nobody if not her mother’s daughter – until she sets her heart on becoming an artist. Through drawing, the...

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Mr Pip 1st January 1970

A young girl is caught up in civil unrest on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. Everyone who can, flees. Remaining is the only white man, who sets about teaching the children left on the island, and the only material...

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Leaves of the Banyan Tree 1st January 1970

An epic spanning three generations, Leaves of the Banyan Tree tells the story of a family and community in Western Samoa, exploring on a grand scale such universal themes as greed, corruption, colonialism, exploitation, and revenge. Winner of the...

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From Kauri Trees to Sunlit Seas 1st January 1970

Don Silk built his first boat, the “Patsy Jean”, with a book on boat building in one hand. Constructed from specially milled Northland kauri, it was launched at Opononi, on the Hokianga Harbour, and in 1959 he set off...

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A Pattern of Islands 1st January 1970

A Pattern of Islands is the funny, charming and self-deprecating adventure story of a young man in the Pacific. Living for thirty years in the Gilbert and Ellis Islands, Grimble was ultimately initiated but not before he was severely...

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