Call of the Kiwi

In the Land of the Long White Cloud Saga, Book 3

By: Sarah Lark, D. W. Lovett - translator

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

In the exhilarating conclusion to the internationally bestselling In the Land of the Long White Cloud trilogy, the spirited Warden and McKenzie clan continues its trials - and triumphs - in New Zealand and beyond.

The great-granddaughter of Gwyneira McKenzie - who arrived in New Zealand as a naïve young bride in In the Land of the Long White Cloud - Gloria Martyn has enjoyed an idyllic childhood at Kiward Station, her family’s sprawling sheep farm in the Canterbury Plains. When her parents send word from Europe that it’s time for Gloria to become a proper “lady” by attending boarding school half a world away in England, Gloria must leave everything and everyone she loves most in the world, including her steadfast protector Jack McKenzie. Wrenched from her beloved homeland and struggling to fit in with the stifling strictures of British boarding-school life, Gloria has never felt more alone. Upon discovering that her parents have no intention of ever sending her home, Gloria takes matters into her own hands and sets off on an adventure that will change her forever.

A stirring coming-of-age tale of love, loss, endurance, shame, and redemption that takes readers from the lush plains of New Zealand’s South Island to the bloody shores of Gallipoli, across Australia’s Northern Territory and beyond, Call of the Kiwi is a profoundly satisfying conclusion to the saga that has captured readers’ hearts across the globe.

©2009 Verlagsgruppe Lübbe GmbH & Co. KG, Bergisch Gladbach. (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. English translation © 2014 by D. W. Lovett.

Book 2

I hadn't realized this was a series! I loved the continuation of the story. Downloading #3 to start today.

Gloria

For the first part of this book, it was good like the others. Then Gloria happened. Gloria became one of my all time favorite book characters. I was sad the book ended, because I haven't felt that strongly about a fictional character in ages.

Book Review

Good narrator. I loved the book. I enjoyed learning some New Zeeland history. Good characters.

Good Read

Thoroughly enjoyed the series by Sarah Lark. This third book in the series wasn't quite as good as the other two, but it was still a good read. Ms. Lark definitely knows how to bring the countryside, people and customs of the region and time to life and helps us to live through the characters.

Great Historical Fiction

At times this book was difficult to listen to as it was brutally honest about historical facts. Sarah Lark weaves an excellent family saga in this trilogy. I learned so much about New Zealand history and culture. I appreciate the authors efforts to research and weave historical facts to make this story so believable.

One of the best series I've ever enjoyed.

Loved it!! Multi generational. Family complexities. Great characters. Historical insights. Redemptive healing & great love/ romance.Wonderful ending.
Highly recommended. Enjoy.

New Zealand thru WWII, 3rd in Trilogy GREAT FINISH

WOW! This last book in the trilogy is excellent. Gwyn and James live on the sheep farm together well into their golden years, while Kura and William are still flitting around Europe singing . . . Their daughter, Gloria longs to come home to New Zealand, but her parents, not remembers their own youthful desires, force her into their own "mold" . . . The saga which began with Land of the Long White Cloud concludes with Call of the Kiwi . . . and this last book is deep, sad, and oh, so sweet . . . culminating perfectly.

Very Good Series!

This last book of the series is well done and as captivating as the others, although for me it did drag a bit at times.

This series has all the elements of a good story: love, hate, war, painful loss, death, and redemption just to name a few. The series goes through at least three generations so the reader/listener gets a good wide lens view of watching at least the first generation go from young children and adults through to old age. Excellent narrator!

TERRIFIC STORY(IES)

What made the experience of listening to Call of the Kiwi the most enjoyable?

Not since I read Mitchner's Hawaii, have I found an epic story of multi generations and cultures with such appeal. Ms Lark character development was exceptional. At times it does bog down sentimental rhetoric but it does not seem to take away from the story.

What about Anne Flosnik’s performance did you like?

It is hard.not to be a fan of Anne Flosnik. She has a wide range voices and is extremely articulate.

I have absolutely loved this series!

I have listened to all three books in this series and have been enthralled by each of them. I liked how all the pov characters were strong women. Like many of the characters, I have not had an easy life. I appreciate a writer that sensitively and accurately portrays people that have suffered and healed from trauma. I will be reading more by this author.