A review by serenedancer
The Bone People by Keri Hulme

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

3.25

This is definitely an odd book. I picked it up because my library had it wrapped up with the three tags aro-ace character, set in the 60s, in New Zealand. That's definitely true.

I don't really know how to describe it other than a woman meets a man and his son and they go through life. 

One of the main character is aro-ace, which is interesting and well done representation. There is some aro-ace phobia, but it's portrayed as wrong. 

There is child abuse in the story and it's not skippable since it's integral to the story. The character doing it is portrayed as wrong, but they are still an important character and if it's any kind of a trigger I'd recommend skipping the book.

Overall, I'd recommend it if you're looking for a story set in New Zealand and with a family component.

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