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littlebookterror's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
it's so easy to forget that phones and the internet just were not a thing 3o years ago...
I won't lie, I could have done with a little more details to set the stage whenever a new short story started cause I felt a little lost as to the who-what-where each time. But I also loved how utterly focused the book was on girls and women, sisters, aunts and grandmothers, female friendship and lesbian desire. Its description of Tahuri looking at girls felt transcendent.
My favourite were probably "After the Game" where the players go skinny dipping and while telling a story about some pakeha taking pictures without asking, history repeats itself with a better outcome (loved the comraderie) and "Three for Kui" about family and floods.
(I only remember a CW for "Tahuri the Runaway" for SA and consensual sex with a different person. Minor use of racial and homophobic slurs in "red Jersey".)
I won't lie, I could have done with a little more details to set the stage whenever a new short story started cause I felt a little lost as to the who-what-where each time. But I also loved how utterly focused the book was on girls and women, sisters, aunts and grandmothers, female friendship and lesbian desire. Its description of Tahuri looking at girls felt transcendent.
My favourite were probably "After the Game" where the players go skinny dipping and while telling a story about some pakeha taking pictures without asking, history repeats itself with a better outcome (loved the comraderie) and "Three for Kui" about family and floods.
(I only remember a CW for "Tahuri the Runaway" for SA and consensual sex with a different person. Minor use of racial and homophobic slurs in "red Jersey".)
lucyblack's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. A set of short stories about a young woman growning up in Rotorua and coming to terms with her sexuality. The tone is beautiful and consistant and the sense of place is really well done. Some of it was really confronting and upsetting but I think those pieces were well balanced with gentler, quieter ones.
neex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
thesamedeepwaterasyou's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Incest, Lesbophobia, Rape, and Sexual content
mjtal's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Rape
undertheteacup's review
4.0
3.5/5
Now that I'm done I wish there was more. I had just settled into the atmosphere, the mix of Arawa dialect and English, the hustle and bustle of Tahuri's family, the steam from the thermals. There is a lot of pain and violence in these stories (unsurprisingly, given that something like 2 out of 3 Maori girls experience sexual violence by the age of 16). But there is also healing, joy, and beauty.
I loved Tahuri's unwavering self-awareness, and her dogged pursuit of what she wants and feels is right for her. It was wonderful to spend time with her.
Now that I'm done I wish there was more. I had just settled into the atmosphere, the mix of Arawa dialect and English, the hustle and bustle of Tahuri's family, the steam from the thermals. There is a lot of pain and violence in these stories (unsurprisingly, given that something like 2 out of 3 Maori girls experience sexual violence by the age of 16). But there is also healing, joy, and beauty.
I loved Tahuri's unwavering self-awareness, and her dogged pursuit of what she wants and feels is right for her. It was wonderful to spend time with her.
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