You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
this book really impacted me as a younger reader; it was my introduction to maori culture and i was so absorbed
I chose to read this book a couple of years ago because of a PopSugar reading challenge. The category was something like "A book that takes place somewhere you want to travel" and when I Googled "book set in New Zealand", this popped up. I'm really glad it did. I had no idea about Maori culture, and this book helped me look further into that. I was also shocked at how emotional the whole book had me. There were points where I felt sad enough to cry, and almost sick to my stomach, and oh, the sympathy pains from all the injuries!!! Yikes. Loved it though. Very emotional.
The Bone People is a challenging book to read due to it's eclectic writing style. It breaks a lot of conventions and utilizes a variety of ways to let us see into the characters—though it's not always quite clear which character, or what is really happening, and certainly not why. The book probably needs re-reading a few times to truly be appreciated/analyzed.
At the core of it, however, is the strange relationship between a hermit painter who lives in her self-built tower, a very clever though mute child, and the child's foster father who can be very affectionate, but also very violent. The book has a few parts that are a bit tedious, but also quite a lot that are moving, shocking and suspenseful. It's certainly unlike anything I've ever read before.
At the core of it, however, is the strange relationship between a hermit painter who lives in her self-built tower, a very clever though mute child, and the child's foster father who can be very affectionate, but also very violent. The book has a few parts that are a bit tedious, but also quite a lot that are moving, shocking and suspenseful. It's certainly unlike anything I've ever read before.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Bizarre and disturbing. It reminded me of 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks, although it's around 20 years since I read that, so my memories of it are vague. I was compelled to keep reading and most wanted to hear from the boy's perspective. Kerewin was the character I could most envisage as a real person. I like the writing style, redolent of Toni Morrison, Zadie Smith and Virginia Wolfe at times. The plot was painful and almost a study in attachment disorders, but in a world of magical fast healing.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was unlike anything else I’ve read in terms of writing style. It was exquisite and tragic and showed you the good and the deep, deep flaws and the heartbreak in the lives of three people. I feel like I have so much more I want to say but I can’t find the words right now. It’s definitely not a quick read as its characters are so beautifully complex. But it’s worth the read.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse