Fair
Copy 1153769b9bf
Condition notes
Marks on the cover minor stains on some pages. dogged eared cover
Available now
Skip to product information
Grade guide
$10.00
The Luminaries
$10.00
Brief description
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton is a richly layered historical novel set in 1866 on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, primarily in the rough gold-mining town of Hokitika during the height of the New Zealand Gold Rush. Set in 1866 in and around Hokitika a gold-rush boomtown filled with miners, fortune seekers,...
Read full description- Paperback
- Published 2013
- Pre-owned
Every copy is individually graded
Choose your condition
Each option is one physical pre-owned copy. Condition notes describe the copy you will receive.
About this book
Description
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton is a richly layered historical novel set in 1866 on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, primarily in the rough gold-mining town of Hokitika during the height of the New Zealand Gold Rush. Set in 1866 in and around Hokitika a gold-rush boomtown filled with miners, fortune seekers, prostitutes, opium dens, and shifting fortunes. The weather is harsh, the social hierarchy fluid, and the moral codes ambiguous — all contributing to the novel’s intricate web of mystery and fate.
Walter Moody, a young Scottish prospector who has just arrived in Hokitika hoping to make his fortune. Seeking refuge from a storm, he enters the smoking room of a local hotel, where he stumbles upon a tense meeting of twelve local men — each representing a sign of the zodiac — who are discussing a series of strange, seemingly interconnected events: The discovery of a large fortune in gold in a dead man’s house. The disappearance of a wealthy prospector, Emery Staines. The attempted suicide (or possible overdose) of a prostitute named Anna Wetherell. As Moody listens, the men gradually reveal their parts in this tangled mystery, and what follows is a sprawling narrative of greed, deception, love, and cosmic coincidence. The novel’s structure mirrors astrological patterns — each chapter shrinking in length, orbiting toward a central truth about how fate, chance, and human desire intertwine. This book is an epic tale of 832 pages and winner of the Man Booker Prize 2013. Described "as a dazzling feat of a novel, the golden nugget in this years Man Booker long list." The Guardian 2013
Buying pre-owned books
Frequently asked questions
How do I know what condition my book is in?
Every physical copy has a grade and its own condition note. Choose the copy you want on the product page and read that note before adding it to your cart.
What do the book grades mean?
Our grades run from As New through to Binding Copy. They provide a quick overall guide, while the condition note records the wear or damage specific to that copy.
Can I return a second-hand book?
Because our books are pre-owned, sales are generally final. If your book arrives in a condition that is significantly different from its description, please contact us so we can help.
How much does shipping cost?
New Zealand orders of $40 or more receive free shipping. For smaller orders, Christchurch delivery to postcodes beginning with 8 is $5, metro New Zealand delivery is $9, and rural New Zealand delivery is $14.
If your address is rural, please choose the rural delivery option at checkout.
Do you ship outside New Zealand?
We currently ship to Australia for a flat rate of $37. We do not currently ship to other countries.
Can I collect my order?
Yes. Choose local pickup at checkout and collect from 9 Penbury St, Waltham, Christchurch 8023. Pickup orders are usually ready within 24 hours, and we will email you when your order is ready.
Check our current store hours before visiting.
When will my order arrive?
We ship with NZ Post. Standard delivery usually takes 3–5 working days, with rural delivery sometimes taking a little longer. We will email your tracking number after dispatch.