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colormecaro's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I’ve seen some reviews about how it is wrong that the book about female empowerment is told from a man’s perspective and was a bit worried. But honestly it didn’t bother me at all and I pretty much read this book in one sitting.
The uncle is the right person to tell the story and I’d have found it weirder if the male author had forced a female perspective throughout. It also gives insights that wouldn’t have been possible from a female perspective because they were excluded up to that point (and yes, that fact contributes to the point of the book).
Despite all that, I still wish we had some insight into Kahu’s perspective because I can only imagine the complexity and beauty. Maybe it’s a good thing it wasn’t included because it leaves that part up to my imagination.
I also loved the Māori folklore throughout.
The uncle is the right person to tell the story and I’d have found it weirder if the male author had forced a female perspective throughout. It also gives insights that wouldn’t have been possible from a female perspective because they were excluded up to that point (and yes, that fact contributes to the point of the book).
Despite all that, I still wish we had some insight into Kahu’s perspective because I can only imagine the complexity and beauty. Maybe it’s a good thing it wasn’t included because it leaves that part up to my imagination.
I also loved the Māori folklore throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Animal death, Grief, Animal cruelty, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, Racism, and Car accident
emjayknocks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
An unexpectedly emotional tale of family, fate, and misogyny. I enjoyed the Māori words and phrases throughout, and thought the folklore scene-setting was done well. I was unprepared for That Whale Situation which felt particularly hard hitting given the overall lighthearted nature of the rest of the story. The ending was predictable and I didn’t feel like the grandfather’s character development was believable, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
racheltrow_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Misogyny
Moderate: Car accident
wytherwytch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really loved the colourful characters in this book. I would love to read more about their lives!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Misogyny, Blood, Animal death, and Racism
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Child abuse
ceallaighsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“The sea scintillated with the sweetness of the old mother whale as she hovered near her ancient mate. Illuminated jellyfish exploded silvered starbursts through the dark depths. Far below, a river of phosphorescence lent lambent light to the abyss like a moonlit tide. The ocean was alive with noises: dolphin chatter, krill hiss, squid thresh, shark swirl, shrimp click, and, ever present, the strong swelling chords of the sea's constant rise and fall.”
TITLE—The Whale Rider
AUTHOR—Witi Ihimaera
PUBLISHED—1987
PUBLISHER—Reed Books
GENRE—MG/YA literary fiction
SETTING—Aotearoa
MAIN THEMES/SUBJECTS—whales, Maori life, history, mythical realities, & cultural traditions, a young girl’s self-awakening, finding your place in your family & community & standing in your power, lighthearted narrative voice, Nature as sacred family & teacher, cultural education & the passing on of language & knowledge, Papua New Guinea, oneness & respect for Nature as respect for one’s self and one’s community
WRITING STYLE—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
CHARACTERS—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STORY/PLOT—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BONUS ELEMENT/S—I love whales; also Koro Apirana’s speech in chapter sixteen was beautiful.
PHILOSOPHY—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PREMISE—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Explicit in the author’s note in the 2003 edition.)
EXECUTION—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“She was going with the whales into the sea and the rain. She was a small figure in a white dress, kicking at the whale as if it were a horse, her braids swinging in the rain. Then she was gone and we were left behind. Ko Paikea, ko Paikea.”
My thoughts:
This book was such a tender, wholesome look at a young girl’s relationship with her culture, her family, and her community in the context of traditional lifeways being flexed and fitted to her people’s ever evolving and shifting needs and place in their world. I loved that it was told through the voice of one of her uncles and most loving and supportive family members. The characters of Rawiri and Nanny Flowers were genuine love and seeing Kahu grow into her oneness though their eyes was truly beautiful.
I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for an inspiring, hopeful, and wholesome read. This book is best read at the beach! 😊🐋🌀
Final note: Have your tissues handyyyy. 🤧🥹💕
“Shall we live? Or shall we die?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
CW // misogyny, description of whaling, racism, colonialism, animal cruelty towards stranded whales (Please feel free to DM me for more specifics!)
Further Reading—
- more by Witi Ihimaera
- INTO THE WORLD OF LIGHT edited by Witi Ihimaera—TBR
- TE KAIHAU THE WINDEATER by Keri Hulme
- ROOT MAGIC by Eden Royce
- ELATSOE by Darcie Little Badger
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Misogyny
sarahgordon327's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Was not very impressed with this book; that should be taken with a grain of salt because I listened to it on audiobook. It was narrated by the author, which is an awesome idea, but practically I think there would have been much better choices to go with for voice narration. I found it extremely hard to listen to and ultimately lacking the compelling element that I was hoping this story would hold.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
zorhose's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
traceyanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Sexism, and Animal death
Moderate: Racism, Body shaming, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Colonisation, Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
jayisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I normally would not have picked up a book like this, but there was a book challenge category to read something by an author from Aotearoa (aka New Zealand), so here we are. Having very limited knowledge of Maori culture and history, The Whale Rider was really eye-opening to read. I truly enjoyed this immersive learning experience, as well as being given the opportunity to contemplate themes of nature, myth, family, and community.
When it comes to the actual storytelling itself, I didn’t enjoy it as much. The characters felt underdeveloped and the pacing was all over the place (it was especially strange when the narrator left home to go to Papua New Guinea and Sydney for a few chapters). I can also see that Ihimaera wanted to weave together myth and reality, but I didn’t find it very effective.
I still think it’s worth picking this up, especially to learn more about the Maori. I certainly feel compelled to read more works by Maori authors now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Racism and Car accident