To Be Read At A Sitting (Press, 29 November 1980)

"End of the Circle" is a compelling New Zealand novel written by Ross A. Doughty and published by Invictus Press in Feilding in 1980. The narrative captures the struggles of Gary Hunter, a self-made contractor in the small mill town of Porowhita, as he faces both industrial strife and the machinations of local power players. The story unfolds in a fast-paced manner that grips readers from beginning to end. Gary is an ambitious entrepreneur who, despite not being academically inclined, shows a knack for business and construction from a young age. His early investment in a bulldozer propels his contracting business to remarkable success, eventually leading him to amass a fleet of over 100 vehicles. His relationship with Anne Hamblyn, the self-centred daughter of the local millionaire mill-owner, provides him financial backing but lacks emotional fulfilment. Conflict arises when Gary dismisses Charles, the incompetent and openly homosexual son of Anne’s father, leading to escalating tensions. Charles’s resulting bitterness is leveraged by Simon Lindsay, a homosexual school-teacher and aspiring socialist revolutionary, who acts against Gary’s success. Adding to the unrest is Leamy, the Communist head of the local drivers’ union, who is seen as a contentious figure failing at most endeavours except inciting trouble. As Gary grapples with these challenges, he is also entwined in the local Maori community’s resurgence, as they seek to reclaim their identity and history with the support of certain European bigots, complicating the social landscape. Concurrently, Gary faces a pressing deadline to complete a timber contract with the mill while fending off threats from Hamblyn, who threatens to foreclose on his business if he fails. Additionally, a significant natural disaster—a slip that disrupts vital road access to Porowhita—presents another challenge for Gary. Despite the scepticism of local authorities and opposition from the Hamblyn-influenced press, he decides to undertake repair efforts on the road, opting for a challenging new route that could restore connectivity to the town. Overall, "End of the Circle" is highlighted as a gripping indigenous thriller by A.J. Petre, who notes Doughty’s skill in creating a narrative that is both engaging and reflective of local issues. The novel, Doughty’s debut, is praised for its depth and potential as a cinematic adaptation, revealing the intricacies of personal, political, and community conflict amidst New Zealand's unique social fabric of the time.

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