Coromandel Community Library

READER REVIEW - The Absolutist by John Boyne
John Boyne is a prolific author (probably best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas) who is incredibly skilled at giving us insight into how humans work and drawing us into big emotions.
We are introduced to Tristan Sadler, the narrator, and his new friend, Will Bancroft, who he meets during their training for combat in the trenches of Belgium.
There’s some tension as the men become friends and more tension as they become a bit more intimate than just friends. While we would call their interactions gay these days the trenches are clearly not much of a context to explore this.
However that interplay is what keeps us able to view what happens as Will Bancroft decides he can no longer support being an active participant in the true horror of the trenches. He chooses to become a non-combatant while in the trenches which is essentially a military crime.
We are alongside both men as these positions are explored and explained in the context of the madness of this new kind of warfare. Although John Boyne’s descriptions are horrific he brings the war and civilian life of the time alive with his writing. Outside of the squalor of the war narrative and the impossible choices that are continually being forced on the characters we have Tristan in 1919 post war England visiting Will’s older sister. Through this visit we get the final pieces of a truly compelling story.
At times it’s hard to like Tristan’s character, partly through the man he is; relatively uneducated, working class, a bit camp and pedantic in his language but he’s our narrator and through him, and his visit to Will’s family, we are brought to a truly shocking finale that I did not see coming.
If you haven't read John Boyne I recommend pretty much everything I’ve read of his. This one was a surprise that engaged me, but like many surprises it wasn’t necessarily what you would have wished for. Give it a try! Reviewer: Nigel S

📣 SAVE THE DATE! 📣

🌿 Community Open Day at the Museum 🌿

Saturday 26 September 2026

We’re getting ready to open the doors for a special day celebrating the start of our new season

📅 Saturday 26 September
🏛️ Coromandel School of Mines & Historical Museum

More details to follow, we’d love to see you there!❤️

📖 HELP US CREATE A COMMUNITY COOKBOOK! 🍰

We’re developing a special cookbook for families, filled with favourite recipes, family traditions and the stories behind them.

We’d love locals to get involved and share a much-loved family recipe — perhaps Grandma’s famous cake, a favourite slice, a special dinner, or a recipe that has been passed down through the generations.

❤️ We’re looking for your own recipes or recipes that have been handed down within your family. Please don’t send recipes copied directly from published cookbooks, magazines or websites, as we want to avoid any copyright or royalty issues.

If your recipe has a story behind it, we’d love to hear that too!

📩 Send us your recipes and family stories:

[email protected]

Let’s create a cookbook full of delicious recipes and wonderful family memories that can be enjoyed for generations to come! 🍪🥧❤️

🌟 NEW AT THE COROMANDEL MUSEUM – GUIDED TOURS 🌟

Want to discover more about the fascinating history of Coromandel? Our new guided museum tours are here! 🏛️

While there’s plenty to see when you explore the museum yourself, a guided tour gives you the opportunity to hear the stories behind the exhibits, discover fascinating local history and learn about some of the people and events that helped shape Coromandel.

👣 Guided tours
• Approximately 1 hour
• $7 per person (admission fee) + $10 for guide
• Pre-booking is essential

Our guides will take you through the museum and share the background stories, interesting facts and hidden gems that you might otherwise miss.

Whether you’re a local, visiting family and friends, part of a community group or just curious about Coromandel’s past, come along and see the museum through a different lens.

📞 Bookings essential – contact the museum to arrange your tour.

https://www.coromandel-museum.co.nz/contact

Come and discover the stories behind the history! ❤️

REMINDER this Saturday 5th September

New books on the shelves soon 📚 avaliable to put holds on

REMINDER, don't miss action 😀