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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
This book destroyed me. I can't even. I need to wait eight hours to write a coherent review.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The style of this book is unlike anything I had ever read before. There something so poetic, lonely, and crushing in this book that I have never seen in any book before this (granted I don't have the largest library in the world). Either way, this book has plenty to stand on its own. It really captures loneliness, isolation, coziness, connection, alienation, cold bittersweet redemption. I only have some minor complaints, like sometimes it seem a bit unrealistic, other parts drag, but overall a fantastic book. Highly recommend it.
An excellent story. The language and style were both amazing. There were some times, though, when I didn't know what was going on - not to mention that to me, some parts were unrealistic. But it had an intellect that was really refreshing, and the characters did seem very real. Quality work.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The audiobook is great for the voice. The physical book has a very helpful word glossary for those who don't know māori.
A book about the intersections of a modern world and how to navigate them: land v industry, indigenous v colonialism, spiritual v physical, love v hate.
Beautifully written and sometimes painful to read.
There were things near the end that went above my head though.
A book about the intersections of a modern world and how to navigate them: land v industry, indigenous v colonialism, spiritual v physical, love v hate.
Beautifully written and sometimes painful to read.
There were things near the end that went above my head though.
This is one of my old stand-bys, all-time-favourites. I have read and re-read a few times (I often re-read it as friends are reading it, just because I get excited to talk about where they are in the story etc)
first... the writing. There's just something about the way Keri Hulme writes this novel... It's as though she created the characters, but, given who they are... they do what they will do & she has no more control over it. It's all she can do just to write it all down.
second... the characters. Kerewin (the strong), Joe (the mixed up), and Simon P (the lost).
I love them all... Kerewin makes me want to drink whiskey & read, and learn jujitsu or something. Simon P is so incredibly intense, sees auras, hears music in the driftwood & seaweed washed up on a beach. A little boy of mystery. Joe.... he's the hardest to love, but you do. you can't help it. You know he means well, he loves his family & he would do anything for them. And what a family! Just think of all those extended relations, the closeness & community there. It's unbelievable.
then... It's full of maori myth & language. I'm a sucker for a book with dialects & phrases from unknown languages... especially when they have a dictionary or glossary of terms in the back :)
However -- I have known people who chose this book for a book club - and everyone hated it! (How dare they?? lol). It has lots of little snippets of poetry, stream of consciousness, a bit of chronology jumping in the plot... If you're not up for that, it might put you off. But, the language is beautiful, the characters are full, and the story unstoppable - so, I love it and highly recommend it!
**re-read, June 2012... I'm still in love with this book!
first... the writing. There's just something about the way Keri Hulme writes this novel... It's as though she created the characters, but, given who they are... they do what they will do & she has no more control over it. It's all she can do just to write it all down.
second... the characters. Kerewin (the strong), Joe (the mixed up), and Simon P (the lost).
I love them all... Kerewin makes me want to drink whiskey & read, and learn jujitsu or something. Simon P is so incredibly intense, sees auras, hears music in the driftwood & seaweed washed up on a beach. A little boy of mystery. Joe.... he's the hardest to love, but you do. you can't help it. You know he means well, he loves his family & he would do anything for them. And what a family! Just think of all those extended relations, the closeness & community there. It's unbelievable.
then... It's full of maori myth & language. I'm a sucker for a book with dialects & phrases from unknown languages... especially when they have a dictionary or glossary of terms in the back :)
However -- I have known people who chose this book for a book club - and everyone hated it! (How dare they?? lol). It has lots of little snippets of poetry, stream of consciousness, a bit of chronology jumping in the plot... If you're not up for that, it might put you off. But, the language is beautiful, the characters are full, and the story unstoppable - so, I love it and highly recommend it!
**re-read, June 2012... I'm still in love with this book!
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism
A book has not straight up messed me up emotionally like this in a long time.
One of the most original books I’ve read, but I don’t think it’s for everyone. Kerewin is an interesting main character, which is what kept me reading for much of the book. The prose ranges from traditional to stream of consciousness to poetic and it can sometimes be hard to follow, but I found that a fun challenge at times. :) lots of lines struck me, but I also felt equally as lost during many other parts in the story.
It’s a complex book that touches on Māori culture, child abuse, alcoholism, asexuality, and more.
I was invested in the first 3/4 of the book, but the last 1/4 lost me.
It’s a complex book that touches on Māori culture, child abuse, alcoholism, asexuality, and more.
I was invested in the first 3/4 of the book, but the last 1/4 lost me.