This is about the hardest review I’ve had to write as there is simply so much to unpack and discuss and admire in the new novel by Eleanor Catton - which is really why this should be compulsory reading for every New Zealander! Having finished Birnam Wood I feel compelled to have more face-to-face, thoughtful conversations and not be content with superficial chat, or short, pithy comments via some screen. I want to question more, learn more, examine not only my own actions but the actions of my fellow countrymen, politicians, businesses, and governments. There are few novels that can have such a profound effect on an individual.
Firstly, if you haven’t done so, I urge you to listen to Catton’s interview with Kim Hill on RNZ. Not only is it an absorbing, intelligent conversation, but I found I could appreciate the nuances of the story even more knowing the process and inspiration that went into writing such a richly layered book.
What I loved most about Birnam Wood was the lengthy, punchy dialogue, the moral and ethical dilemmas the characters faced, and their ego-centric decisions which led to their ultimate downfall. But Birnam Wood isn’t all about character - it’s a thriller, it’s action-packed, tense, and builds to an ultimate heart-stopping finale. My hope is that Birnam Wood will cause a ripple effect as it asks New Zealanders to open their eyes to the possible future that lays before us.
— Olivia