The novel is populated with a large cast of family members – siblings, children, their spouses and grandchildren. The flashbacks are woven seamlessly through the narrative.
One of Sue McCauley’s greatest strengths is her ability to live in her protagonist’s head. Here we share Briar’s anxieties over navigating this strange new world. We feel her concerns about her relationship with the grandchildren. We can appreciate her dislike of some in-laws and empathise with her affection for Honda, the dog, and her appreciation of other people, including the Māori neighbours of her childhood.
Briar yearns to return to the family farm, Glenmorrin, run by her brother Calum. Ever since she left home she says she has felt ‘out of kilter, away from the North Canterbury countryside’; but life has a way of thwarting one’s wishes.
Patricia Grace describes the book as: “Such good explorative writing, wit, clarity, images sharp and fresh. As a reader I am in safe hands with Sue McCauley.”
Sue McCauley catapulted to fame with her first novel 40 years ago. Other Halves won awards and was made into a movie. Since then, Sue has been a journalist, playwright and screenwriter. She has also published four more novels and two collections of short stories. Landed is her first novel in decades, and it is well worth the wait.
Sue will be a visiting author at the Whanganui Literary festival, September 29 to October 1.
