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johannajournaled 's review for:
The Bone People
by Keri Hulme
3.5/5 stars rounded up.
I had a hard time putting this book down! The novel follows three main characters: loner Kerewin Holmes (like the author, is of European and Māori descent), a young white mute boy named Simon, and Simon’s Māori foster father, Joe.
This novel is not for the faint of heart in both style and subject matter. While I think that some people may find it jarring and distracting, I loved the experimental writing style. Coupled with use of vivid descriptions and Māori language (glossary in the back) throughout, the magical realism and poetry infused in this book arguably add more depth to the story.
I was lost in the isolation and melancholy of Kerewin, a disillusioned artist, who, after a fallout with family lives alone in a large house by the coast. Her life takes a turn when she meets Simon and Joe. It’s a bit hard to talk about this novel without spoiling, but I will say that the developing relationships were fascinating to read. The entire book is a bit of a slow burn with certain sections that dragged and could have been shortened.
Through the main characters, Hulme discusses Māori culture and issues, including mental health, self-loathing, identity, alcohol & physical abuse, racism, the importance of heritage, and the effects of white colonization. While difficult and heartbreaking to read at times, I’m glad I read it.
If you’re into experimental writing and character-driven stories, don’t mind a slow-burn, and can stomach the subject matter… I’d give this a go.
Content Warnings: Alcohol abuse, child abuse, violence, self-harm, racism
I had a hard time putting this book down! The novel follows three main characters: loner Kerewin Holmes (like the author, is of European and Māori descent), a young white mute boy named Simon, and Simon’s Māori foster father, Joe.
This novel is not for the faint of heart in both style and subject matter. While I think that some people may find it jarring and distracting, I loved the experimental writing style. Coupled with use of vivid descriptions and Māori language (glossary in the back) throughout, the magical realism and poetry infused in this book arguably add more depth to the story.
I was lost in the isolation and melancholy of Kerewin, a disillusioned artist, who, after a fallout with family lives alone in a large house by the coast. Her life takes a turn when she meets Simon and Joe. It’s a bit hard to talk about this novel without spoiling, but I will say that the developing relationships were fascinating to read. The entire book is a bit of a slow burn with certain sections that dragged and could have been shortened.
Through the main characters, Hulme discusses Māori culture and issues, including mental health, self-loathing, identity, alcohol & physical abuse, racism, the importance of heritage, and the effects of white colonization. While difficult and heartbreaking to read at times, I’m glad I read it.
If you’re into experimental writing and character-driven stories, don’t mind a slow-burn, and can stomach the subject matter… I’d give this a go.
Content Warnings: Alcohol abuse, child abuse, violence, self-harm, racism