A review by thenewschureview
The Bone People by Keri Hulme

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Review of The Bone People by Keri Hulme

Keri Hulme's The Bone People is a Booker Prize–winning novel that boldly blurs the lines between prose and poetry, realism and mysticism. Set on the coast of New Zealand, the story revolves around three deeply damaged yet spiritually entwined characters: Kerewin, a reclusive and eccentric artist estranged from her family and creativity; Joe, a Maori widower struggling with grief and violent impulses; and Simon, his mute, troubled foster son. The novel delves into the emotional depths of these characters, examining themes of cultural hybridity, trauma, redemption, and love in their most complex forms. The disturbing depictions of abuse, the challenging narrative structure, and the mystic, almost jarringly neat ending may alienate many readers.

👍 What Worked:

• Lyrical, experimental prose that captures emotion and place vividly
• A bold, uncompromising exploration of identity, trauma, and redemption
• Deep cultural texture and insight into Maori heritage and worldview
• Simon is a haunting and unforgettable character

🤔 What Needed Work:

• Abrupt, inconsistent shifts in POV and style may disorient readers
• Depictions of child abuse are graphic and troubling, especially given how they're resolved
• Kerewin's character often feels like a self-insert and lacks emotional realism
• The redemptive ending feels unearned, relying heavily on spiritual/magical resolution
• The moral ambiguity around Joe's abuse of Simon is deeply unsettling and unresolved

Recommendation:

The Bone People is a challenging, polarizing novel that rewards patience but doesn't shy away from darkness. If you're drawn to experimental fiction and can stomach unsettling subject matter, it's a work of literary intensity and profound cultural significance. I found its ambition admirable, but its execution emotionally difficult—powerful, but not readily embraced.