Winner of the 1987 New Zealand Fiction Award, this is a work of spellbinding power that weaves myths of older times into the political realities of...
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reviews
Feb 20, 2010
Katie
rated it: 
A very interesting novel, but one that never quite came together for me.
The book is loosely structured, with different chapters told from the perspectives of different characters, and lots of switching between first and third person. The main plot concerns a conflict over land use between a Maori tribe and a group of developers who want to build a resort, but this plot actually takes up relatively little space in the book; Grace spends a lot of time on the backstories of her chara More...
The book is loosely structured, with different chapters told from the perspectives of different characters, and lots of switching between first and third person. The main plot concerns a conflict over land use between a Maori tribe and a group of developers who want to build a resort, but this plot actually takes up relatively little space in the book; Grace spends a lot of time on the backstories of her chara More...
Feb 23, 2011
Lisa
rated it: 
Potiki is such an interesting book, it would make a great choice for book groups.
It is the story of a Maori community’s struggle to regain control of their ancestral lands. Having had their land acquired to build an airfield during WWI, these landholders were dispersed into rental accommodation so that it became almost impossible to sustain their culture and traditions. But as is so often the case in land rights matters, a dispirited and apparently ‘broken’ people were rejuvenated More...
It is the story of a Maori community’s struggle to regain control of their ancestral lands. Having had their land acquired to build an airfield during WWI, these landholders were dispersed into rental accommodation so that it became almost impossible to sustain their culture and traditions. But as is so often the case in land rights matters, a dispirited and apparently ‘broken’ people were rejuvenated More...
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Sep 11, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
Reading the large print version of this book, along with the childlike, repetitive prose style put me off this book initially. But I am glad I finished it. It's interesting to think this book was written 25 years ago now = at times the themes seem a bit obvious - the dichotomy of good and evil too obvious - but 25 years ago this was a really important, and until then, untold story. And, on second thoughts, that's probably still the case now; the story needs to be told even if it seems old to th
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May 08, 2011
Arshin
rated it: 
I'm being forced to read this for school (Year 13). At first, I hated it. I disliked all the Maori words confusing me, all the Maori references I knew nothing about (I'm new to NZ) and it was just one huge complex mess. I still don't really like it, but now that we're discussing it in class, I see the depth and the meaning behind everything, and the parallels with Maori myths, and it isn't that bad.
I still gotta finish it though. I've been reading every other book in the world instead of th More...
I still gotta finish it though. I've been reading every other book in the world instead of th More...
Jan 16, 2009
Demetrius
rated it:
This book was a struggle to get through because it uses a lot of the native Maori language but this aspect of the book fascinated me and made me want to read more.I would only recommend this book if you are willing to be patient and understand the Maori culture.
Dec 24, 2009
Mariana
rated it: 
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
This is a magical book. Toko-i-te-Marama has the gift of knowing and story telling. May he rule my heart.
This is a magical book. Toko-i-te-Marama has the gift of knowing and story telling. May he rule my heart.
Mar 09, 2009
David
rated it:
One of the best books about Polynesian struggles for community, culture and land.
Feb 08, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Beautifully written - a novel whose heartache and hope stay with me long after I've closed the pages.
Jan 29, 2012
Lucy
rated it:
i'm not sure how to describe this one for some reason, even though it should be simple enough. it's about a maori clan, mainly their struggles to hold onto their land and keep their traditions going, focussing particularly on one nuclear family. reading it was like listening to a storyteller, which i'm sure was intentional, since storytelling is an important part of the story. i liked it a lot.
Sep 06, 2008
Callie
rated it:
This book was pretty good. It started off poorly, but it ended well. I learned a little from this book.
May 07, 2010
Janice
rated it:
This is a beautiful book about a beautiful culture. I would heartily recommend it.
Feb 22, 2012
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