carrix2's review
5.0
Such a powerful and sad story about the indigenous people of New Zealand (Maori) in the 1980s, though the time period isn’t really obvious. The family is heartbreaking even as the book ends with some of them better off than before. Triggers of suicide, rape, and domestic assault.
I think this is a story that translates well to indigenous people in the US as well.
I think this is a story that translates well to indigenous people in the US as well.
eion's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Child death, and Domestic abuse
nsb94's review
5.0
I had to read this book for an indigenous literature unit and was warned before I began that it was heavy. They weren't wrong! As I was doing research around this book I found that Alan Duff got criticised for playing into the "stereotypes", yet as he said himself he has lived this story. This story is his life, his experiences and i think it adds to the darkness of the book. I found myself engrossed in this book despite the heaviness and depression I found within its pages. I think it is a must read, especially for those interested in New Zealand or Maori literature or life. There were certain passages near the end of the book(which I won't describe for fear of spoilers) but it gave me chills as I read them!
A brilliant book and I am happy to have read it!
A brilliant book and I am happy to have read it!
jbojkov's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for my book group. This year we are reading only books from other countries- hopefully written by a native from that country. This time around it is New Zealand from a Maori perspective.
This book is apparently considered a classic in NZ so I was interested in reading it. Unfortunately, it is also a very graphic and highly descriptive book as well. It's not that I did not enjoy the story, but I found the way it was told and the language used to be distracting and confusing. In many cases, there is a dialogue happening between two or more characters and because the author does not use the typical punctuation, I frequently thought that a character was talking to his or her self.
The author also tried to convey the way that his characters were speaking using spellings that were more or less phonetic. Sometimes, this worked, but other times it did not because he would abbreviate words or use terms that I was not familiar with.
Finally, the overall feeling of the book is quite depressing and morose. I understand that he was telling things the way he saw them for the Maori people and no doubt, as with many indigenous people the circumstances for most were dire. I think, I was already feeling down about other aspects of my life and so it was hard to read this book.
I am glad that I continued and read all the way to the end. While I would not call the ending happy- it was not without hope. I wish that things had been different for the Maori people and I hope that things are better for them as a community now than it was back when this book was written.
This book is apparently considered a classic in NZ so I was interested in reading it. Unfortunately, it is also a very graphic and highly descriptive book as well. It's not that I did not enjoy the story, but I found the way it was told and the language used to be distracting and confusing. In many cases, there is a dialogue happening between two or more characters and because the author does not use the typical punctuation, I frequently thought that a character was talking to his or her self.
The author also tried to convey the way that his characters were speaking using spellings that were more or less phonetic. Sometimes, this worked, but other times it did not because he would abbreviate words or use terms that I was not familiar with.
Finally, the overall feeling of the book is quite depressing and morose. I understand that he was telling things the way he saw them for the Maori people and no doubt, as with many indigenous people the circumstances for most were dire. I think, I was already feeling down about other aspects of my life and so it was hard to read this book.
I am glad that I continued and read all the way to the end. While I would not call the ending happy- it was not without hope. I wish that things had been different for the Maori people and I hope that things are better for them as a community now than it was back when this book was written.
serving_goffman's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kakine's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
6th_extinction's review
4.0
Undeniably gritty and rough. There is no polish, only desperation and then survival in this novel.
Duff writes with rough charm and with loose flow. It is stream of consciousness-like at times.
Beth's journey back into Maoridom is inspiring, and effectively written.
Duff writes with rough charm and with loose flow. It is stream of consciousness-like at times.
Beth's journey back into Maoridom is inspiring, and effectively written.
bobbo49's review
4.0
Incredibly powerful, deep, heartbreaking: a story of a Maori family caught in the depths of poverty and despair at the end of the 20th Century, a man lost in drink and powerful pride, his wife suffering in the wake of his fear and anger, children trying to survive in a household of violence. Some uplifting scenes of the struggle to overcome the horrible situation, failure and success and life and death.
georginadaw's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0