For something quite different try Paddy Richardson’s novel ‘Cross fingers’. For one thing it’s mainly set in Wellington, with familiar street names and locations easily creating a mind picture. For another, while correctly labelled a thriller, it is also an accurate historic documentary.
The story is based on a television documentary maker who is directed to produce a programme to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the nation dividing Springbok rugby tour.
The acknowledgements at the end of the book show that the author had tracked down numerous people who had taken part in protests both as leaders of the protest movement and others who took part in the rallies. These along with former police, among who she found widely differing views. Paddy had also read the several books written after the tour.
In the book the real life interviews are used as interviews given to the television producer in the story. These gradually uncover a second story line which is the basis for the thriller content. And Paddy Richardson does thrillers very well.
The main story is backed up by the stresses and petty conflicts in the television production unit along with the main character’s domestic life.
This is a very well written book, excellent descriptions with nothing extraneous, sharp dialog and, at times quite chilling.
Along with the entertainment factor the historic content is, in my memory, very accurate (I had children on both ‘sides’). To us who were around at the time the book is a reminder of what happened. And to a younger generation a graphic description of how a terrible violent situation can evolve, even in New Zealand, when things get out of hand.
You will probably find this book in the thriller section of the library, which is doing it a disservice, it’s much more than a thriller. Read it.
