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Title: As the Earth Turns Silver

Author: Alison Wong

Narrator: Heather Bolton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-11

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is 1905 and brothers Yung and Shun eke out a living as green grocers near Wellington's bustling Chinatown. The pair work to support their families back in China, but know they must adapt if they are to survive and prosper in their adopted home. Nearby, Katherine McKechnie struggles to raise her rebellious son and daughter following the death of her husband Donald. A strident right-wing newspaperman, Donald terrorised his family, though was idolised by his son. Chancing upon Yung's grocery store one day, Katherine is touched by his unexpected generosity. In time, a clandestine relationship develops between the immigrant and the widow, a relationship Katherine's son Robbie cannot abide. As World War I rolls on, and young men are swept up on a tide of macho patriotism, Robbie takes his family's honour into his own hands. In doing so, he places his mother at the heart of a tragedy that ill affect everyone and everything she holds dear.

Powerful, moving and unforgettable, As the Earth Turns Silver announces the arrival of a bold new voice in contemporary fiction.

Members Reviews:

Disappointed

As this book had won the 2009 Janet Frame Fiction Award I looked forward to reading this novel which was based on early 20th Century New Zealand Social History, which is a special interest of mine. However, I was disappointed. The story idea was promising, but I felt the actual story line was weak and I kept thinking most of the dialogue and thought processes of the characters were all a bit too far fetched for the period.

Four Stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this NZ book. Loved reading about early Wellington

Somthing to think about.

Well written and evocative. Was a very realistic account of the times and attitudes to chinese immigrants and the difficulties they and

women faced from the patriachial society of the day. The power of jealousy and the unexpected tradgedies caused by uncontrolled behaviour.

I thought it was great.

Touching Sad Story

Well written and poignant tale about a white woman who falls in love with a Chinese man during a racially discordant time. I enjoyed this book and will look forward to more work by this author.

A great story

In the middle of our dreary grey winter I wanted a book to curl up with in front of the fire and be taken into a different world...I picked up this book and loved it from the first chapter.

The story is set in Wellington,New Zealand, from the late nineteenth century to the 1920's. Some chapters dash back to China to give background to the Chinese characters.

The writing is clear and the language handled in such a way that it's very easy to see the characters and the Wellington described.

The main character is Katherine, recently widowed. At a time when women were challenging traditional female roles in society, she begins a clandestine relationship with the local Chinese grocer,Yung.

She is employed by Mrs Newton, who is an advocate for women's rights and civil rights in general and is a colourful, assertive character who brings change into Katherine's life and opens a whole different set of opportunities for Edie, Katherine's daughter.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading As the Earth Turns Silver and count it as one of the better reads of the year!

Alison Wong is a New Zealand poet and this is her first novel.