The Luminaries

832 pages

English language

Published Oct. 29, 2013 by Granta, Granta Books.

ISBN:
978-1-84708-431-6
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OCLC Number:
851827301

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(1 review)

It is 1866, and Walter Moody has come to make his fortune upon the West Coast goldfields. On the night of his arrival, he stumbles across a tense gathering of twelve local men, who have met in secret to discuss a series of unsolved crimes. Moody is soon drawn into the mystery: a network of fates and fortunes that is as complex and exquisitely patterned as the night sky.--

6 editions

Masterful

The writing style captured me from the beginning, although it was sometimes (in the first few sections) a struggle to follow the rather complex plot with so many characters. I really appreciated all the authentic New Zealand (and especially Hokitika) references - wildlife, Maori language and culture, street names, etc. since I discovered and started reading this book in Hokitika itself. However, I think many clever astrological references were lost on me. Despite that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This would be a great one to take apart in an English Lit. class.

Subjects

  • Gold discoveries
  • Trials
  • Prostitution
  • Fiction
  • Englisch
  • Historischer Roman
  • Gold mines and mining
  • History

Places

  • West Coast (N.Z.)
  • New Zealand
  • West Coast