Coral E. Atkinson — The Paua Tower

Black Swan 2006 Paperback, 312pp. Set in a pivotal moment in our history, this love story is about how we once were, or might have been. A tarot-reading Frenchwoman and a paua-shell memorial to a dead soldier play an important role in this gritty love story. Set in a central North Island town in New Zealand during the 1930s Depression, The Paua Tower explores the relationship of a group of people struggling to survive and make sense of a bitter time. It is the story of Vic Cowan, unemployed activist, and Stella Morgan, the sweetheart who must save herself; it tells of Jack Baldwin, the disabled bank manager who sees visions; and Roland Crawford the doubting clergyman. Faith is lost and found, corruption is rife and innocence destroyed, but through it all love blossoms and hope endures. Front cover lightly creased. (ISBN: 9781869417628). Good.