A review by ceallaighsbooks
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“The sea scintillated with the sweetness of the old mother whale as she hovered near her ancient mate. Illuminated jellyfish exploded silvered starbursts through the dark depths. Far below, a river of phosphorescence lent lambent light to the abyss like a moonlit tide. The ocean was alive with noises: dolphin chatter, krill hiss, squid thresh, shark swirl, shrimp click, and, ever present, the strong swelling chords of the sea's constant rise and fall.”

TITLE—The Whale Rider
AUTHOR—Witi Ihimaera
PUBLISHED—1987
PUBLISHER—Reed Books

GENRE—MG/YA literary fiction 
SETTING—Aotearoa
MAIN THEMES/SUBJECTS—whales, Maori life, history, mythical realities, & cultural traditions, a young girl’s self-awakening, finding your place in your family & community & standing in your power, lighthearted narrative voice, Nature as sacred family & teacher, cultural education & the passing on of language & knowledge, Papua New Guinea, oneness & respect for Nature as respect for one’s self and one’s community

WRITING STYLE—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
CHARACTERS—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STORY/PLOT—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BONUS ELEMENT/S—I love whales; also Koro Apirana’s speech in chapter sixteen was beautiful.

PHILOSOPHY—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PREMISE—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Explicit in the author’s note in the 2003 edition.)
EXECUTION—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“She was going with the whales into the sea and the rain. She was a small figure in a white dress, kicking at the whale as if it were a horse, her braids swinging in the rain. Then she was gone and we were left behind. Ko Paikea, ko Paikea.”

My thoughts:
This book was such a tender, wholesome look at a young girl’s relationship with her culture, her family, and her community in the context of traditional lifeways being flexed and fitted to her people’s ever evolving and shifting needs and place in their world. I loved that it was told through the voice of one of her uncles and most loving and supportive family members. The characters of Rawiri and Nanny Flowers were genuine love and seeing Kahu grow into her oneness though their eyes was truly beautiful.

I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for an inspiring, hopeful, and wholesome read. This book is best read at the beach! 😊🐋🌀

Final note: Have your tissues handyyyy. 🤧🥹💕

“Shall we live? Or shall we die?”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CW // misogyny, description of whaling, racism, colonialism, animal cruelty towards stranded whales (Please feel free to DM me for more specifics!)

Further Reading—
  • more by Witi Ihimaera
  • INTO THE WORLD OF LIGHT edited by Witi Ihimaera—TBR
  • TE KAIHAU THE WINDEATER by Keri Hulme
  • ROOT MAGIC by Eden Royce
  • ELATSOE by Darcie Little Badger
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