The Break is a long, narrow field – a tract of empty land that runs between two rows of houses in a Canadian town. One night Stella gets up to comfort her teething baby and glances out a window that looks onto The Break. She expects to see nothing except snow. Instead, she sees a group of men raping a young woman.
By the time the police arrive the men and the victim have disappeared, leaving only a bloodstain on the ground, and no one believes Stella's story. Not the hard-bitten senior cop, who writes her off as a "crazy bitch" who can't tell a rape from a run-of-the-mill gang fight. Not even her husband, who arrives home from his night shift soon after. And so begins this intense literary thriller, set in the Canadian province of Manitoba.
The book is told from the perspective of 10 characters, some in the first person, some in the third, some alive, some dead. They are all bound together in some way by either blood, friendship, secrets or silence. And despite the detours Vermette's impressive array of characters take as we pry into their lives, the questions 'Who did it?' and 'Why?' drive the story ever-forward.
The Break is a long, narrow field – a tract of empty land that runs between two rows of houses in a Canadian town. One night Stella gets up to comfort her teething baby and glances out a window that looks onto The Break. She expects to see nothing except snow. Instead, she sees a group of men raping a young woman.
By the time the police arrive the men and the victim have disappeared, leaving only a bloodstain on the ground, and no one believes Stella's story. Not the hard-bitten senior cop, who writes her off as a "crazy bitch" who can't tell a rape from a run-of-the-mill gang fight. Not even her husband, who arrives home from his night shift soon after. And so begins this intense literary thriller, set in the Canadian province of Manitoba.
The book is told from the perspective of 10 characters, some in the first person, some in the third, some alive, some dead. They are all bound together in some way by either blood, friendship, secrets or silence. And despite the detours Vermette's impressive array of characters take as we pry into their lives, the questions 'Who did it?' and 'Why?' drive the story ever-forward.
The central mystery and the characters themselves already make compelling reading, but Vermette has swirled another element into the mix. Most of the characters are Métis, mixed-race people descended from Canada's native tribes and the country's early European settlers.
But ultimately, the theme of the novel is universal – how families heal and recover from violence. A clever, raw and riveting read.
Entry is open only to New Zealand residents. Employees of Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ or [Allen & Unwin], their affiliates, agencies and immediate families are ineligible to enter. No responsibility is taken for lost, misdirected or incomplete entries. Entries are limited to one per person. Open to New Zealand residents only. This promotion commences [Thursday March 8] and ends [Monday April 30]. By registering their details, entrants give permission for Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ to post, email and mobile text message updates. The prize consists of [The Break by Katherena Vermette]. We have [five] to give away. The prize package must be taken as offered and is not exchangeable, transferable or redeemable for cash. Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ reserves the right to exchange any item with another item of greater value. Anything not specified in these terms and conditions as being included in the prize package is excluded. The winner will be contacted via [e.g. email / phone] between [Tuesday May 1 and Friday May 4]. The promoter is Bauer Media Group (LP) NZ, Shed 12, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland.
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