Author’s tale of settlers impresses

Danish Blood by Bob Christensen. You books (self-published), $29.95

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New Zealanders tend to overlook that this country’s pioneer settlers weren’t all from the British Isles.

Dalmatians began to arrive in the 1860s, Danish folk weren’t far behind.

The latter nationality is the bedrock on which second generation Danish-kiwi Robert Christensen bases his book, a fictionalised account of the blood bond that links the two countries.

The subject matter’s impressively wide ranging and includes a peek at Norse mythology and a smattering of original verse.

Separated into three parts, the novel opens in 1840s Denmark with the birth of Knud Jensen, named after the Viking King Canute. Eking out a rural existence life for the Jensens is harsh. As a young adult, Knud joins the army and within months Denmark is at war with Prussia.

Although seriously injured he survives, becoming a farmer and fisherman.

He marries and the family tree this union spawns flourishes. As the generations multiply the Jensens work hard and prosper.

That’s until World War I wreaks havoc in Denmark.

In a seamless tempo change the plot transforms in part two into a rollicking postwar adventure story. Central character, able seaman Thor Jensen, is New Zealand bound onboard a cargo vessel. In Wellington he meets a Danish girl and jumps ship.

Before we learn what the future brings in their new country (part three), Christensen cleverly hooks the story line back to the couple’s homeland, introducing those who were first to make the perilous journey to the world’s far side.

First-time author Christensen proves himself to be a skilled researcher and story teller. The good news is a sequel’s under way.

— Jill Nicholas

■ Copies for sale at Mcleods Booksellers, Rotorua; email: shop@mcleodsbooks.co.nz.