Reviews

Potiki by Patricia Grace

mackenziemihijane's review against another edition

5.0

He ātaahua tēnei pukapuka. I tangi au, i menemene hoki. Ka mau te wehi, e rima whetu.

kimberlyallen011's review

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

ginacli's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

shaniya_hope's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

thedukeofpuke_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, and Death

mnboyer's review against another edition

4.0

"Kids were different these days. They wanted knowledge of their own things, their own things first. They were proud and didn't hide their culture, and no one could bullshit them either" (p65).

A wonderful example of Maori storytelling. The story follows several different individuals, all connected via place and identity, as they struggle to fight against investment builders that would like to strip away sections of Maori homelands in order to build shopping malls and resorts.

There are many uplifting moments, despite having so much tragedy in a small novel. The story is richly woven, takes on many aspects of oral storytelling, and all in all is definitely worth a read for those interested in the Maori. I was pleased to say that there were many examples of Maori language scattered throughout (while some readers dislike this on GoodReads, I am always excited to see Indigenous peoples use their own language in their writings--even if at times that requires the reader to find a dictionary or google a translation).

als_adventures's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

atlas_nomad's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? N/A

5.0

Potiki is an emotional and insightful story. Focussing on a Māori family and their whānau defending their ancestral land from modern day land developers. This book highlighted the importance of simplicity, respecting the land on which we live and the great feats that we can achieve when we work together. The story is told through the eyes of different members of the family and spans many years. At times, it is emotionally raw but also has many moments of joy. A thoroughly excellent read.

leichamoo's review

dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

juli_sophiex's review

challenging emotional medium-paced

4.5