Monthly Book Club
May 4th 2009, 10:52 am
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,208
Monthly Book Club
So, whether you are in NZ or looking to come here, I thought we could have a thread on NZ books. Be they about NZ or by NZ authors?
So for May, I'm suggesting The Bone People by Kerri Hulme, a reclusive NZ author. Don't be put off by the size of the book or the opening couple of chapters. It is one of those novels that needs a little perseverance to get in to. Don't do what I did and "assume" the Maori translation - there is actually a glossary at the back!
For the readers on the site why not have a go this month? At the end of May we'll "discuss"!
"Winner of the Booker Prize in 1985, "The Bone People" is the story of Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is rudely blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm of Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. In his wake comes his foster-father Joe, a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. The narrative unravels to reveal the truths that lie behind these three characters, and in so doing displays itself as a huge, ambitious work that tackles the clash between Maori and European characters in beautiful prose of a heartrending poignancy. 'In this novel, New Zealand's people, its heritage and landscape are conjured up with uncanny poetry and perceptiveness.' - "Sunday Times."
So for May, I'm suggesting The Bone People by Kerri Hulme, a reclusive NZ author. Don't be put off by the size of the book or the opening couple of chapters. It is one of those novels that needs a little perseverance to get in to. Don't do what I did and "assume" the Maori translation - there is actually a glossary at the back!
For the readers on the site why not have a go this month? At the end of May we'll "discuss"!
"Winner of the Booker Prize in 1985, "The Bone People" is the story of Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is rudely blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm of Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. In his wake comes his foster-father Joe, a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. The narrative unravels to reveal the truths that lie behind these three characters, and in so doing displays itself as a huge, ambitious work that tackles the clash between Maori and European characters in beautiful prose of a heartrending poignancy. 'In this novel, New Zealand's people, its heritage and landscape are conjured up with uncanny poetry and perceptiveness.' - "Sunday Times."
Last edited by Am Loolah; May 4th 2009 at 10:54 am.
May 4th 2009, 1:08 pm
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 569
Re: Monthly Book Club
oo! ace idea... though i suspect reading will be even more of a luxury than usual this month!! haven't read this since 1987 when a school friend bought it for my birthday (she got me the windeater later too!) still got it somewhere, so will try and dig it out to join in!
May 5th 2009, 3:07 am
#3
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,208
Re: Monthly Book Club
May 5th 2009, 4:39 am
#4
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: Monthly Book Club
Nope. I've already read it . I'll wait to see what you think once your noses are out of the pages.
May 7th 2009, 1:49 am
#7
Truth is the safest lie.
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: @ the beach.
Posts: 7,241
Re: Monthly Book Club
Anyway no New Zealand literary thread should pass without mentioning Barry Crump. I think he would be best described as Hunter S. Thompson but without being as clever, innovative, interesting, talented or witty…but otherwise like peas in a pod 
.
But I still wouldn’t recommend reading his books.
.But I still wouldn’t recommend reading his books.
May 7th 2009, 1:14 pm
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Pakaraka
Posts: 3,264
Re: Monthly Book Club
So, whether you are in NZ or looking to come here, I thought we could have a thread on NZ books. Be they about NZ or by NZ authors?
So for May, I'm suggesting The Bone People by Kerri Hulme, a reclusive NZ author. Don't be put off by the size of the book or the opening couple of chapters. It is one of those novels that needs a little perseverance to get in to. Don't do what I did and "assume" the Maori translation - there is actually a glossary at the back!
For the readers on the site why not have a go this month? At the end of May we'll "discuss"!
"Winner of the Booker Prize in 1985, "The Bone People" is the story of Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is rudely blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm of Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. In his wake comes his foster-father Joe, a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. The narrative unravels to reveal the truths that lie behind these three characters, and in so doing displays itself as a huge, ambitious work that tackles the clash between Maori and European characters in beautiful prose of a heartrending poignancy. 'In this novel, New Zealand's people, its heritage and landscape are conjured up with uncanny poetry and perceptiveness.' - "Sunday Times."
So for May, I'm suggesting The Bone People by Kerri Hulme, a reclusive NZ author. Don't be put off by the size of the book or the opening couple of chapters. It is one of those novels that needs a little perseverance to get in to. Don't do what I did and "assume" the Maori translation - there is actually a glossary at the back!
For the readers on the site why not have a go this month? At the end of May we'll "discuss"!
"Winner of the Booker Prize in 1985, "The Bone People" is the story of Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is rudely blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm of Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. In his wake comes his foster-father Joe, a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. The narrative unravels to reveal the truths that lie behind these three characters, and in so doing displays itself as a huge, ambitious work that tackles the clash between Maori and European characters in beautiful prose of a heartrending poignancy. 'In this novel, New Zealand's people, its heritage and landscape are conjured up with uncanny poetry and perceptiveness.' - "Sunday Times."
May 7th 2009, 2:13 pm
#9
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Was East Sussex, Now Titirangi, Auckland.
Posts: 771
Re: Monthly Book Club
I'll try and get it from the library here, otherwise will look in the charity shops or wait until I finally set foot for good
May 8th 2009, 9:21 am
#11
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May 8th 2009, 10:08 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Wellington
Posts: 217
Re: Monthly Book Club
I'll join if I can find the book here in time. Will look around in bookshops.
May 11th 2009, 12:56 am
#14
you dewty owld maan!
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: is practically perfect in every way
Posts: 5,565
Re: Monthly Book Club
www.thebookdepository.co.uk
gives good service and is often cheaper than amazon, even without freight.
They must be associated with amazon though....maybe got some agreement on hits to the bigger site.
Not got time to read, too much posting to do........been on a Terry Pratchet for 3 months now, used to take me 8-10 hours! Oh well..........
He is indeed ,a good keen man.