“Here you’ll find a collection of reviews of my writing. I hope they inspire you to read another of my books.”
Annonymous review of The Other Side of the World
I was in the public library during the recent school holidays. I am a teacher (I see that you have a teaching background too) and was trying to source books for this term. It was another dreadfully wet day, so I also headed over to the adult section to find a nice relaxing book to read. I was in that exhausted, somewhat-anxious-but-trying-to-appear-well-put-together state that teachers often experience in the holidays, when my eye caught sight of your book "The Other Side of the World". I read the blurb on the back and made the easy decision to check it out, along with my bundle of books from the children's non-fiction section!
The following day, I started the first couple of chapters of your book, and immediately fell in love with your story-telling style, and the intrigue that you set up early on in the plot. I also loved the Kiwi/European mix, as I have become very tired of reading stories set in America! Sadly, I had to put your book down and focus on getting ready for the new Term. I've just had the first week back, and thankfully, my class were relatively settled, despite the ongoing wet weather and pandemic. I have some pretty big personalities in my class, along with some utter gems, so by the weekend, I am ALWAYS looking to introvert in a corner somewhere with a cup of tea and a good book. That's exactly what happened today. I sat down again to carry on with your book and to reconnect myself with Tom, Lucy, Jasmine and Mrs M. I became so caught up in the story that I had to seek out a third hot drink, and I have just finished your entire book!
Congratulations on creating such a brilliant literary work for readers to enjoy, and thank you for using your gift to lighten my day today. I am genuinely so grateful and I look forward to reading more of your stories, now that I have discovered your books!
All the best for your future endeavours - you deserve every success! Your writing is fabulous! Thank you again for the time and effort that you put into writing "The Other Side of the World".
NZ Booklovers review of The Other Side of the World
The Other Side of the World opens with twenty-year-old Coral catching a plane to travel from the UK to the other side of the world – New Zealand. She is pregnant, running away, and determined not to be found by the people she has left.
The story picks up with her son, Tom, all grown up and married to Lucy, struggling with the demands of work and their young son. He suffers from debilitating headaches and seems to have a history of them from when he was a boy, but to begin with, the reasons for these headaches aren’t revealed. Tom has never known his father – his mother refuses to talk about him.
When Coral suddenly dies, Tom and Lucy are devastated but surprised when Tom inherits a significant amount of money. After looking through some paperwork, they find some clues about Tom’s father that sends them over to Scotland to see if they can find him and get answers to the many questions they have.
But then tragedy strikes, and Tom must abandon his search for his father to care for his immediate family.
The Other Side of the World is an engaging family drama that explores how past and present are linked and how family traits can be passed down. It’s lovely to read a novel by a New Zealand that embraces the New Zealand and the Scottish landscape too – who can resist the Scottish Lochs?
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
River Press Publishing
Matakana Village Books review of The Other Side of the World
Well-known Matakana local and author Jenni Francis popped in today to sign copies of her new novel “The Other Side of the World” (at a social distance of course). Covid has put paid to the planned launch, but it’s here now and that’s the main thing!
A young woman leaves England to travel to New Zealand when she discovers she is pregnant…..and so begins a page-turning mystery of family secrets and the eventual search for truth. Perfect lockdown reading as it draws you in and you’ll be hooked!
Mary-Liz and Karen
Jenni Francis is available for author talks anywhere in New Zealand. Jenni trained as a primary teacher and then went on to do special education and taught deaf children in the classroom and as an itinerant for 10 years. She has taught at all levels, from kindergarten through to tertiary. She continues to tutor in reading and mathematics.
Jenni loves to read her stories to children, and encourages them to see the stories in their own lives. She can give writing workshops and can prepare lesson plans to assist teachers in their classroom programmes. Jenni's books can be available for purchase through the school on the day of the talk, with a percentage of sales going to the school library.