“Past Perfect” by Karen Zelas

I sometimes felt that this book was relating my own genealogical adventures.  The main character is on a voyage of self-discovery where she uncovers an ancestor who taught school in Akaroa in the 19th century and lived in a house which still stands in Rue Balguerie.  My own great-grandfather taught school in Akaroa in the 19th century and lived in a house which still stands in Rue Balguerie, and I also travelled overseas to unravel mysteries about his earlier life.  When the excitment of uncovering an original letter was described it took me back to the moment in the State Archives of Victoria when I unwrapped packets of letters, tied with ribbons, which had been written by my great-grandfather.  I’m quite sure no-one else had looked at them for a hundred years.

With this kind of connection I could hardly fail to enjoy this novel.  There’s a modern story nicely interwoven with that of pioneering French settlers, so many familiar Canterbury scenes, plus engaging relationships.

“This woman and her family tree
could very nearly have been me.”