Weathered Bones

“This is a novel of howling wind and crashing water, broken bones, flower filled rooms and manic midnight painting, which sounds strange and unrelated but all these elements come together brilliantly under the penmanship of this talented new writer.” Southland Times June 2009.

"The storm was more than a weather pattern. It was alive. Outside the wind got its hands around everything and dug its nails in. The garden was dragged down, its petals and leaves kicked off. When morning came it would stay flattened. Windows rattled, and across the road the sea pounded the shore throwing grey pebbles far up onto the asphalt.”
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Evoking strong themes of art and unusual friendships, this first novel weaves together three distinct strands of narrative. Weathered Bones tells the story of Antoinette, a widowed grandmother, Grace, an emotional young wife, and Eliza, the lighthouse keeper from another century, in a book of dark water, flowers and midnight paintings. One night, an ancient and cursed storm brings the three together.
Inspired by the real life character of New Zealand’s first light house keeper at Pencarrow Lighthouse, Eliza becomes a presence in Grace and Antoinette’s lives, demanding an audience, a voice, and perhaps even a life of her own in the present day

​“Fantastic, a gripping read”
Ross Holden, News Talk ZB, 22 April 2009

““This is spine-shivering territory, the haunted past reaching out to touch the present, and turns it on its head. A book full of “real” women from an exciting new writer”
Dame Fiona Kidman

“An exciting new literary talent, Michele is one to watch out for and, trust me, you’ll be able to feel the chill of the storm that brews throughout this gripping novel deep within your own bones.”
Sally Connor, NZ Women’s Weekly, 1 Feb 2010.
 
“a powerful first novel …”
Gwen Chaloner, Southland Times, 6 June 2009.
 
“a powerful tale …”
NZ Lawyer, 16 October 2009.
 
“inventive and bewitching ...”
Carmen Thompson, Ashburton Guardian, 25 June 2009.
 
“poignant and moving …a touching story full of beautiful imagery. Read it now and you’ll have bragging rights when Powles becomes well-known.”
Dash Magazine, 30 June 2009.
 
 “an engrossing read…”
Judith McKinnon, Hawkes Bay Today, 16 May 2009.

“Storms and lighthouses – it’s the perfect combination. Add in three very different but damaged women, and you have a powerful tale, a tragedy in the making, a ghost who is more than a presence, and finally redemption – for some at least…” NZ Lawyer Oct 2009.

 

“This is a novel of howling wind and crashing water, broken bones, flower filled rooms and manic midnight painting, which sounds strange and unrelated but all these elements come together brilliantly under the penmanship of this talented new writer.” Southland Times, June 2009
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“This is the best written book I have read in ages...”
Karyn White, librarything.com 
 
“Shades of Michael Cunningham’s beautiful but terrible story The Hours run through this book...”
Karen Tay, Sunday Star Times, 7 June 2009.
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​“page turning power”
Metro Magazine, August 2009.
 
“a first-time novelist who writes with power and imagination. I am sure we will hear more from Powles. I hope we do.”
Carol Atkinson, New Zealand Books, Winter 2009.
 
“..the author has a remarkable insight into troubled minds, and the ambiguous character of Eliza is delicious.”
Heather Talbott, Timaru Herald, 2 May 2009.
 
“…[The] main characters were nicely flawed..”
Laura Hewson, Otago Daily Times, 11 April 2009.
 
“gripping...”
Anne McPhail, Wanganui Chronicle, 18 July 2009.
 
“Feisty & intriguing.”
Carole Beu, Easy Mix, 25 March 2009.
 
” fabulous imagery ...”
Mary McCallum, Your Weekend, 4 April 2009.

 For a copy please email direct.