galaheadh 's review for:

The Bone People by Keri Hulme

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I initially rated this book 2 stars because I really liked it and was intrigued at the start but disliked it by the end. After a week's reflection the thing that made me hate it by the end makes me hate all of it forever. A real bad taste in my mouth after reading this one. 

one character beats his child repeatedly and at one point potentially fatally, the other main adult character and the narrative itself don't go anywhere near condemning it or protecting the child, who still wants to live with them and, in the end, does because he "belongs" with them and can't be happy elsewhere. this ending is presented as hopeful