Book Reviews – So Far For now

So Far For Now
by Fiona Kidman

Fiona Kidman has written some amazing novels and The Book Of Secrets and The Captive Wife are two of my favourites. I haven’t read any of her non-fiction before and was interested to see how it would compare as she tackled journeys, widowhood and stories that are never over. Of course, it can’t and doesn’t. For me, this book went in fits and starts. I was immediately hooked in at the start. Kidman’s telling of the passing of her husband was raw and moving. I was fascinated by her childhood in Waipu which, of course, was the setting for The Book Of Secrets but then as the book continued, I wasn’t rushing to read more. I nearly decided not to continue but Kidman pulled me back in again with her research on Jean Batten and I found her stories about being massaged just delightful. She has been heavily involved with the campaign to retrieve the bodies of the Pike River miners and that too, made for fascinating reading. I’m glad I persevered and, overall, found this to be a warm and honest book that was a rewarding read.