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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I liked it, but it was a bit long-winded. I felt like the amount of plot that is actually in this story could have been cut down significantly.
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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 Bone People won the Booker Prize in 1985, the first debut and the first New Zealand novel to do so. I first read it back in 2020 and found it a more enjoyable and impactful reading experience the second time around. More than any other book, this one has convinced me of the value of rereading. I certainly noticed details about the characters and styltic choices that didn't register on my first reading. It's set mostly in a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island and is the story of Kerewin, Joe, and Simon. All three are outsiders dealing with trauma, and Joe, in particular, personifies the phrase "hurt people hurt". Simon was rescued from a shipwreck in which his presumed parents drowned, and Joe, who is mourning his beloved wife, has become his unofficial foster father. Simon is mute, exhibits a whole range of destructive, antisocial behaviours, and is often uncontrollable. Kerewin, a reclusive artist who bears a very close resemblance to the author herself, befriends them after Simon steals from her. The first part of the book focuses on the way they come to form a loose and unconventional found family, the ways they help Simon, and they ways they, Joe especially, spectacularly fail him. Trigger warnings abound for absolutely horrific physical abuse as well as emotional abuse. Eventually, the trio are torn apart, and the book then follows their separate trajectories.
Several things stand out about this novel . The first is Hume's unique and unconventional writing style, which I recall finding challenging when I first read it. This time, I found it a pleasure and really enjoyed the freshness and insightfulness of many of her phrasings. Obviously, I've grown as a reader, but I think already being familiar with the story and knowing what was going on helped, as did reading on audio this time. The narrator did a fabulous job at capturing the rhythm and flow of the prose. The second is the way the book depicts the authentic Maori world and the way it interacts with the Pakeha world, sometimes smoothly, but often not. Finally, miraculously given his inexcusable abuse, Hume had me rooting for Joe. I could see the ways in which he, with support and guidance from Kere, made an ideal parent for Simon. The often small moments when they managed to connect with Simon, to understand what was underlying his behaviour, when he realised he could trust them, were devastatingly beautiful. Hume's rejection of the binary good parent vs violent parent that makes this a challenging and confronting read, yet I also found it to be richly rewarding
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Sheet and apricocks what the berloody hell was that?!
This is one of the weirdest, most evocatively written and engaging books I’ve read in a very long time. The inventiveness of the language is just staggering. For the first third or so I was completely hooked and thought I’d discovered another all-time favourite, but it missed out on a five-star rating from me because the pace slowed in the middle third and then the final third was frankly just mad.
The book is about Kerewin Holmes (the author is called Keri Hulme, geddit?), a reclusive and wealthy eccentric living in a remote tower on a beach in New Zealand. Kerewin is a phenomenally bright alcoholic, estranged from her family and suffering from crippling artistic block. She wants to paint but just can’t. Into Kerewin’s life wanders Simon P. Gillayley, a scrawny mute boy who infuriates and fascinates her in equal measure. When Simon’s adoptive Maori father Joe arrives to take him back, a special kind of dysfunctional unit forms and Kerewin is drawn in.
Kerewin is one of my favourite female protagonists I’ve ever read. She is complex, intelligent and strong in all kinds of ways. The fascinating thing about Kerewin is that she is written in a way that is completely devoid of the male gaze (yes, the author was female, but I find that even female writers tend to write with a male gaze, probably without even noticing). The bizarre way that she thought and spoke drew me in rather than alienating me. In a word, she was unique; I also got the strong impression that she was based on the author in more than just name.
But I felt like this was a book of three distinct parts. The beginning was brilliant, fast-paced and intriguing; the middle was a HUGE lull in which nothing really happened; and the end was just truly weird (and left me a bit 'WTF'?!).
There’s an awful lot going on in The Bone People, but in a good way. It would be an interesting one to discuss as a group, even though it certainly wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. I’ll definitely be recommending it to people though.
This is one of the weirdest, most evocatively written and engaging books I’ve read in a very long time. The inventiveness of the language is just staggering. For the first third or so I was completely hooked and thought I’d discovered another all-time favourite, but it missed out on a five-star rating from me because the pace slowed in the middle third and then the final third was frankly just mad.
The book is about Kerewin Holmes (the author is called Keri Hulme, geddit?), a reclusive and wealthy eccentric living in a remote tower on a beach in New Zealand. Kerewin is a phenomenally bright alcoholic, estranged from her family and suffering from crippling artistic block. She wants to paint but just can’t. Into Kerewin’s life wanders Simon P. Gillayley, a scrawny mute boy who infuriates and fascinates her in equal measure. When Simon’s adoptive Maori father Joe arrives to take him back, a special kind of dysfunctional unit forms and Kerewin is drawn in.
Kerewin is one of my favourite female protagonists I’ve ever read. She is complex, intelligent and strong in all kinds of ways. The fascinating thing about Kerewin is that she is written in a way that is completely devoid of the male gaze (yes, the author was female, but I find that even female writers tend to write with a male gaze, probably without even noticing). The bizarre way that she thought and spoke drew me in rather than alienating me. In a word, she was unique; I also got the strong impression that she was based on the author in more than just name.
But I felt like this was a book of three distinct parts. The beginning was brilliant, fast-paced and intriguing; the middle was a HUGE lull in which nothing really happened; and the end was just truly weird (and left me a bit 'WTF'?!).
There’s an awful lot going on in The Bone People, but in a good way. It would be an interesting one to discuss as a group, even though it certainly wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. I’ll definitely be recommending it to people though.
This book has been on my TBR pile for years, and I've finally gotten around to reading it. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but what I got was a deeply complex, literary exploration of three very flawed and broken people. I don't think this book will be for everyone; the prose style can be confusing of you're not one for literary fiction, but more than that, a significant portion of this book concerns child abuse. Still, I think the literary value of this book is extraordinary, so I'm awarding it 4 stars.
WRITING: Hulme's writing is a mixture of prose and verse, sometimes veering into an almost stream-of-consciousness style and other times oscillating between crude and lyrical. It's often difficult to determine what is going on or even who is thinking/speaking, but I also think that's the point: a lot of things blend together in order to highlight the relationship between the three protagonists and how they see the world.
Personally, I think Hulme's style is interesting and definitely noteworthy. It moves at a rather slow pace, but it does so in order to give the reader an in-depth look at character and consciousness.
I also appreciated the use of Maori language. I don't think I've read any fiction with Maori in it, so it was interesting to see how language played a role in both the cadence of Hulme's prose style and in constructing character.
PLOT: There's not much of a plot to this book in the sense that things happen one after the other. It's more like a series of scenes in which the characters come together, and we learn more about them through the way they bond with one another. There are some tent poles that help a bit with structure: the first section involves Kerewin meeting Simon and Joe, the second follows them on a holiday to a secluded beach, the third and fourth are the lead-up and fallout of Simon's abuse, and the last section is the ending.
A large portion of this book concerns child abuse, and I think it will be tough for many readers. There are numerous descriptions of violence and threats against Simon, including one particularly bad beating that's hard to stomach. So if you're sensitive to those descriptions, this book might not be for you.
Otherwise, I think Hulme does a good job of portraying her characters as troubled. The blend of love and violence was, again, difficult to read, but it also made for a more complex story that invites the reader to Juno in and try to detailed.
CHARACTERS: This book primarily focuses on three protagonists: Kerewin (a part Maori, part European woman who lives alone in a tower), Simon (a mute orphan, about 6 years old), and Joe (Simon's Maori foster father).
Kerewin appears to be patterned at least in part after Hulme herself. She's fiercely independent and finds meaning through art, and she can get a little cranky when irritated. I liked her best when she was interacting with Simon; despite appearances, she really shows off her compassion and patience whenever Simon is around, and I loved the bond between the two. She makes an effort to not only understand Simon, but attempts to find ways to let him be a curious kid.
As for Simon, it's hard not to feel sympathy for him. Not only is he orphaned with no memory of his parents, but he struggles to be understood and endures frequent beatings from his foster father, Joe. It's clear that Simon acts out primarily because of trauma and frustration, so when he does find connection with Kerewin, I felt such a grand sense of hope. His devotion to her is also quite touching, and his continued affection for Joe instilled some kind of melancholy in me. It was hard to see him attached to Joe, but not altogether unsurprising given Simon's past.
Joe, for his part, was surprisingly sympathetic, though his abuse was by no means excusable. I think Hulme did all she could to humanize him and show how he in part continues a cycle of violence. His friendship with Kerewin did make me think that he would change and grow - and he did, to his credit. But it's also hard not to see Joe's life as a kind of tragedy.
TL;DR: The Bone People might be difficult for some readers due to its style and focus on child abuse. But I do think it has great literary merit and does a superb job of portraying character consciousness.
WRITING: Hulme's writing is a mixture of prose and verse, sometimes veering into an almost stream-of-consciousness style and other times oscillating between crude and lyrical. It's often difficult to determine what is going on or even who is thinking/speaking, but I also think that's the point: a lot of things blend together in order to highlight the relationship between the three protagonists and how they see the world.
Personally, I think Hulme's style is interesting and definitely noteworthy. It moves at a rather slow pace, but it does so in order to give the reader an in-depth look at character and consciousness.
I also appreciated the use of Maori language. I don't think I've read any fiction with Maori in it, so it was interesting to see how language played a role in both the cadence of Hulme's prose style and in constructing character.
PLOT: There's not much of a plot to this book in the sense that things happen one after the other. It's more like a series of scenes in which the characters come together, and we learn more about them through the way they bond with one another. There are some tent poles that help a bit with structure: the first section involves Kerewin meeting Simon and Joe, the second follows them on a holiday to a secluded beach, the third and fourth are the lead-up and fallout of Simon's abuse, and the last section is the ending.
A large portion of this book concerns child abuse, and I think it will be tough for many readers. There are numerous descriptions of violence and threats against Simon, including one particularly bad beating that's hard to stomach. So if you're sensitive to those descriptions, this book might not be for you.
Otherwise, I think Hulme does a good job of portraying her characters as troubled. The blend of love and violence was, again, difficult to read, but it also made for a more complex story that invites the reader to Juno in and try to detailed.
CHARACTERS: This book primarily focuses on three protagonists: Kerewin (a part Maori, part European woman who lives alone in a tower), Simon (a mute orphan, about 6 years old), and Joe (Simon's Maori foster father).
Kerewin appears to be patterned at least in part after Hulme herself. She's fiercely independent and finds meaning through art, and she can get a little cranky when irritated. I liked her best when she was interacting with Simon; despite appearances, she really shows off her compassion and patience whenever Simon is around, and I loved the bond between the two. She makes an effort to not only understand Simon, but attempts to find ways to let him be a curious kid.
As for Simon, it's hard not to feel sympathy for him. Not only is he orphaned with no memory of his parents, but he struggles to be understood and endures frequent beatings from his foster father, Joe. It's clear that Simon acts out primarily because of trauma and frustration, so when he does find connection with Kerewin, I felt such a grand sense of hope. His devotion to her is also quite touching, and his continued affection for Joe instilled some kind of melancholy in me. It was hard to see him attached to Joe, but not altogether unsurprising given Simon's past.
Joe, for his part, was surprisingly sympathetic, though his abuse was by no means excusable. I think Hulme did all she could to humanize him and show how he in part continues a cycle of violence. His friendship with Kerewin did make me think that he would change and grow - and he did, to his credit. But it's also hard not to see Joe's life as a kind of tragedy.
TL;DR: The Bone People might be difficult for some readers due to its style and focus on child abuse. But I do think it has great literary merit and does a superb job of portraying character consciousness.
challenging
dark
emotional
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
This is a magnificent book. Beautiful written, almost poëtic. Kerewin, Joe and Simon ar forever in my heart. This is a book worth of rereading to gain more understanding each time you read it. Wow.
Because I traveled to New Zealand in July, I wanted to read some books by New Zealand authors. This is one of the most famous novels from New Zealand, and several people urged me to read it. The style of writing didn't seem as odd or unusual to me as many reviewers have noted. Each of the three main characters has interior monologues, but for the most part these are easy to follow, especially as they are indented in the printed book. The story held my interest from the start and kept me wanting to go on.
The hardest thing to accept while reading this is It's not hard to believe — the author makes it very believable — but it's hard to tolerate. It's upsetting. Yet I had to admire the balance between good and bad, positive and negative. The relationship between Simon, the child, and Joe, the adoptive father, is very complex, and I admire the author for telling it in a way that slowly unfurls its layers and connections.
The character of Kerewin, a 30-something woman who becomes involved in Simon and Joe's life, seems to be a alter-ego or extension of the author herself, but I don't know if that's true. She's odd and withdrawn from other people, and it's not entirely clear why, but maybe she's always been that way.
A very compelling thing about this story for me was the continual presence of modern-day Maori culture. Both Joe and Kerewin were brought up in a Maori context, although neither is purely Maori by blood (which is typical of Maori people today). They sprinkle Maori words and sentences throughout their communication (thankfully, there is an easy-to-follow glossary in the back of the book), and they make references to traditions and customs I learned about during my travels. I appreciated how the story is not overtly "a Maori story" but the adults happen to be Maori, and it's part of their relationship with each other.
By the end, Maori culture becomes a part of what redeems them all — but it's also a process of reaching out and connecting, plus embracing who you are instead of trying to fight against it.
The hardest thing to accept while reading this is
Spoiler
the terrible physical abuse inflicted on a child.The character of Kerewin, a 30-something woman who becomes involved in Simon and Joe's life, seems to be a alter-ego or extension of the author herself, but I don't know if that's true. She's odd and withdrawn from other people, and it's not entirely clear why, but maybe she's always been that way.
A very compelling thing about this story for me was the continual presence of modern-day Maori culture. Both Joe and Kerewin were brought up in a Maori context, although neither is purely Maori by blood (which is typical of Maori people today). They sprinkle Maori words and sentences throughout their communication (thankfully, there is an easy-to-follow glossary in the back of the book), and they make references to traditions and customs I learned about during my travels. I appreciated how the story is not overtly "a Maori story" but the adults happen to be Maori, and it's part of their relationship with each other.
By the end, Maori culture becomes a part of what redeems them all — but it's also a process of reaching out and connecting, plus embracing who you are instead of trying to fight against it.
It took me a long time to get into this book - and by that I mean it took about 18 months to get through the first 130 pages, because I could only seem to manage a page or two at a time before getting bogged down and switching to something more readable. However, once my interest was engaged, I finished the remaining 400 in a couple of weeks.
I found the style interesting and frequently poetic, but rather difficult to follow as it wasn't always clear to me who/what the subject was. I would have to re-read several passages multiple times to get my head round them (or just skip them), which unfortunately interrupted the flow. The plot/background was, again, interesting, and not at something with which I'm that familiar, so it was a bit of an exploration for me in understanding all the inter-connections, particularly the spiritual/religious. I did find the Joe/Simon relationship quite hard to read due to some personal experiences, but on the flip side I think pretty accurately reflects how these things can be.
I was disappointed in myself that it took so long for me to twig about the link between the female protagonists name and that of the author. I generally take a dim view of such things, but in this case it didn't really make much difference to how I viewed the character (possibly because I was practically at the end of the book by then).
3.5 stars, with a bonus half-star for featuring asexuality without it being the treated as the sole defining characteristic of the person.
I found the style interesting and frequently poetic, but rather difficult to follow as it wasn't always clear to me who/what the subject was. I would have to re-read several passages multiple times to get my head round them (or just skip them), which unfortunately interrupted the flow. The plot/background was, again, interesting, and not at something with which I'm that familiar, so it was a bit of an exploration for me in understanding all the inter-connections, particularly the spiritual/religious. I did find the Joe/Simon relationship quite hard to read due to some personal experiences, but on the flip side I think pretty accurately reflects how these things can be.
I was disappointed in myself that it took so long for me to twig about the link between the female protagonists name and that of the author. I generally take a dim view of such things, but in this case it didn't really make much difference to how I viewed the character (possibly because I was practically at the end of the book by then).
3.5 stars, with a bonus half-star for featuring asexuality without it being the treated as the sole defining characteristic of the person.