Dion H reviewed Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka
Amazing!
5 stars
I loved this book, could be my favourite I've ever read. The language and descriptions were very rich and visual for me, I felt like I was really immersed in te ao Māori and got a glimpse of how dramatically different it is from the western/pākehā world in which I was raised. It was full of references to Māori creation and Māori myths and legends making it feel full and unlike anything I've read before. The main character is so well written, a complex combination of naive and ruthless, powerful and fragile, detached and sensitive that works so perfectly given who she is and the experiences she has. I hope I can write a fuller review of what I love about this book but for now I'm going to have to read it again and gather my thoughts properly! All I can say for sure at this point is that …
I loved this book, could be my favourite I've ever read. The language and descriptions were very rich and visual for me, I felt like I was really immersed in te ao Māori and got a glimpse of how dramatically different it is from the western/pākehā world in which I was raised. It was full of references to Māori creation and Māori myths and legends making it feel full and unlike anything I've read before. The main character is so well written, a complex combination of naive and ruthless, powerful and fragile, detached and sensitive that works so perfectly given who she is and the experiences she has. I hope I can write a fuller review of what I love about this book but for now I'm going to have to read it again and gather my thoughts properly! All I can say for sure at this point is that this is a beautifully written book, in a world that's unlike anything I've experienced before and I hope I can find more like it.