Reviews

The Yield

The Yield is one of the most satisfying, intelligent, well-crafted and involving volumes of New Zealand poetry I have read in the last decade.” – Reid’s Reader, 27 March 2017

To me, the challenge and deep delight of poetry has always been in how much you can say with how little. I like denseness. I want one crucial word that does the work of ten. Wootton has shown herself to be a master in this regard. There is not a single word in this book that does not need to be there.” – Sarah Lin Wilson, The Reader (27 March 2018)

Strip

… compelling and extraordinarily humane … skilful characterisation and excellent pacing… Her small cast – Harvey, wife Isobel and daughter Fleur – are perfectly pitched.”  – Sally Blundell, NZ Listener, 7 January 2017

… a novel of multiple felicities … very affecting, very accomplished”  – David Hill, Weekend Herald, 19 November 2016

… a smart, sexy, quietly subversive novel from an author who totally knows what she is doing. Harsh tonic or sweet balm? Yes, a bit of both.”  – Tina Shaw, Landfall Review Online, 3 April 2017

… thoughtfully written, thought-provoking examination of loss and absence, grief and love. I was convinced by the characters, captivated by their story, and compelled to read on at every stage.”  – Helen Spiers, Otago Daily Times, 19 November 2016

… it’s a fine achievement in fiction when we suspend our disbelief as the strength of the telling convinces us. But it is an even more impressive occasion, I think, when an author is able to make us let go of our instinctive prejudices and moral certainties in a wider tide of sympathy as characters entangle themselves in wretchedness, so it is not the mistakes that hold us, but what you might call the low-key heroism of doing wrong while trying to do right. New Zealand fiction doesn’t always take us so starkly into this moral web.”  – Vincent O’Sullivan, Launch of Strip, 25 October 2016

By Birdlight

‘By Birdlight, a collection of poems remarkable for their inventiveness, grace and range of reference.” – Fiona Farrell, NZ Listener online 1 December 2011

Cloudcatcher

it is easy and fun to read. My favourite part was when he painted all the clouds.” Riley (8)

I liked the pictures. My favourite part was when he chucked the Cloudcatcher in the water and the family of hermit crabs moved in.” Keegan (7)

Great! Awesomest book ever! I really like the pictures and the story’s really cool. Mr Bellavista’s a bit stupid and a bit smart.” Xanthe (8)

It was actually great. It’s really really interesting and it shows how clouds can be beautiful and at the same time very important.” Tui (10)

I like everything in the pictures and the story…especially the cloudwatcher machine with extendalegs.” Archie (5)

Mr Bellavista has lots of arms. That’s funny. He’s very busy. The chickens are funny too! I like all the critters!” Eliza (4)

Magnetic South

Magnetic South … shows her first book was no flash in the pan. Wootton is a talented poet. She writes with sparkle and verve.” — Tom Weston, The Press

This new book persuasively confirms Wootton’s growing reputation as one of our most versatile and exuberant poets.” — James Norcliffe, Takahē  65, 2008

Hourglass

… these poems glow with heart. They are laid-back, warm and loveable.” — Hamesh Wyatt, Otago Daily Times

General

It takes subtle control, linguistic dexterity and a big heart to come up with such stuff.” – Bernadette Hall,  poetry judge, Aoraki Competition 2006