Home > Categories > Books > Non-Fiction > Lizzie, love review
Lizzie is twelve years old: sparky, determined and recently crippled by an illness.
The year is 1833 and her father, James Kemp, is a missionary to Maori at Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands.
When Lizzie's baby brother dies and her mother becomes ill, nothing Lizzie does seems able to make things better. As the eldest daughter of seven children, much is expected of her.
Life isn't easy, but does God care? Is there any point in praying, as her father has taught her?
Based on a true story, Lizzie, love is a moving and vibrant cameo of life in early colonial New Zealand. Brenda Delamain brings Lizzie Kemp to us: thoughtful, brave and fully alive.
Product reviews...
Lizzie, Love is a historical novel set several years before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. The story follows the life of a young girl (Lizzie) who is one of the first generation of truly bi-lingual New Zealanders. Lizzie's father is a missionary for the area Keri Keri and so spends much of his time away from the family. Lizzie's mother ends up suffering from bad health and so Lizzie has to take over her mother's role to keep the family functioning. In amongst all this, Lizzie is struggling with all the thoughts and feelings that come with growing up. In her world, she is neither an adult nor a child.
The story is based in fact and the author, Brenda Delmain, brings the characters to life in ways that pre-teen girls can identify with, even though these events occurred 170 years ago. The story is set at a docile pace compared with books in the current day. Readers who prefer a more steady read will enjoy this.
The book offers an insight into our past and would be good for those with an interest in history, or studying the colonial days for school.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Love is holding on tight and knowing when to let go.
An adorable little penguin learns that mum and dad 'will never let you go' ... except when it is time to let you go!
Safely assured, little penguin can begin to explore its world bit by bit - draw a picture, chase the stars, even throw a tantrum - secure in the knowledge that a doting parent is waiting int he wings.
Never Let You Go gives a great warm hug, followed by ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"I don't necessarily agree with everything I say."
Marshall McLuhan (1911 - 1980)