Spellbound

Spellbound is full of humour and honesty, with all the drama and comfort of a rural New Zealand soap opera. . . . It's a special type of book that can tackle large issues such as white supremacy, misogyny and domestic harm and wrap them up in a rural and domestic setting that still feels cosy and sweet. It's a testament to Robertson's clever and gentle touch that this is an engaging and funny read, even given the occasional intensity of the subject matter. . . . Robertson's salt-of-the-earth characters are fully formed and appealing, more than capable of withstanding the weight of complicated storylines that a lesser writer may struggle to do without resorting to screeds of didactic exposition. Spellbound is also about the dynamics that make up a small town. Robertson's writing flows with confidence and the occasional burst of bombast. The language is vivid, fresh and playful. She jumps from jokes to drama within the same paragraph without losing momentum. Spellbound is dense and economical, the swift-moving story racing along, and no plot thread is left unfinished. The novel's dramatic moments are written with aplomb: everything you expect to happen does happen without the novel falling prey to kitsch or cliche. If there's one quibble, it might be with the dialogue - it seems impossible that every person in the town could be quite this eloquent and witty, always ready with the perfect riposte. Spellbound is a gorgeous read, engrossing yet undemanding, cleverly both complex and uncomplicated.

Josie Shapiro, NZ Listener