In the Land of the Long White Cloud - Sarah Lark

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

This is a bonafide Big Book. It's a really chunky historical novel that spans a few decades and is set in New Zealand, beginning during the early years of the British colonization. Two women go to New Zealand to get married to men they don't know for different reasons, but essentially for a chance at a different life. Let's just say things do NOT go very smoothly. It's a quite sprawling book, as we get to know lots of the people they come into contact with in these tiny colonies, and as the women have kids, who also grow up. They face lots of hardships (trigger warning for sexual abuse), but I wouldn't call it a tragedy.

I learned so much about New Zealand, which I admittedly knew very little about. I'm glad that the Maori played a significant role, and it did show how they were treated badly (not as badly as the indigenous peoples in North America, thank goodness). I think the Maori would be okay with how they're portrayed, but I can't guarantee it. Sometimes the book focused a bit too much on side characters I didn't really care about. But overall I enjoyed this interesting, historical setting. Plus, it's a book in translation - bonus!