Book of the month: Winter Time
Book of the Month: Winter Time
By Laurence Fearnley | Penguin Random House | RRP $36
About the Book
Roland, a 45-year-old man, never felt like he belonged in his hometown of Lake Matariki. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, he often felt rejected and dreamed of escaping. However, after his mother’s death, Roland felt obligated to stay and care for his siblings, ensuring they finished school and remained safe. Tragedy strikes again when his sister Casey dies from melanoma, and his youngest brother Isaac disappears in a mysterious boating accident.
Years later, only Eddie remains in the old family house in Mackenzie. Roland has finally moved to Sydney, where he lives with his partner Leon, building their whole foods business, Kernel. One day, Roland receives a phone call informing him of Eddie’s death. As the last surviving family member, Roland returns home to understand his brother, his family, and himself.
Setting and Themes
Set in the Mackenzie region during the depths of winter, the novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the landscape and the harsh weather conditions. Roland is forced to confront his past and his memories, such as the agony of thawing his frozen feet on the school bus. This serves as a metaphor for the emotional journey Roland undergoes throughout the book.
Winter Time is the second novel in Fearnley’s series based on the senses, with this one focusing on touch. It is also a visual novel, filled with specific details and a deep appreciation for the natural world, particularly the awe-inspiring setting of Te Waipounamu.
Author’s Note
Fearnley’s previous novel, Scented, was heavily influenced by the power of perfume and our sense of smell. In Winter Time, she explores the sense of touch and the conflict between development and preservation, as well as the destructive properties of nature versus the destructive nature of humans.
This content was made in partnership with Penguin.
