Behind the Tattooed Face

by Pat Baker

The story is set in the late 1700s, about 600 years after the great canoes from the Central Pacific had arrived in New Zealand. Here in the new land off the Canoe Coast, in what is now known as the Bay of Plenty, the people settled and prospered and here Maori society reached the zenith of its power and development.

Then, as the people multiplied, the question of survival became inextricably interwoven with the concepts of mana and tribal honour. The delicately poised balance of power was easily upset so that bloody warfare, cannibalism and slavery prevailed.

This electrifying novel is now in its fifth printing and is the first NZ historical novel to be written by a Maori . It is also the first serious attempt to show pre-European Maori people as the really were.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

242 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 1975

Reviews

[Mallee Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a daunting tale of Maori settlers along New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty in the late 1700s. As the population expands, the need for more resources and the tribe’s ability to fight against neighbouring tribes is paramount.

This is an accurate account of Maori life and cultural beliefs before the onslaught of the Pakeha invasion.

For more of my 5 out of 5 reviews visit https://readandwirte.blog/malleestanley/

[Amelia Geary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Heretaunga Pat Baker's first book. Once you get past the writing style, the book is hard to put down. It gives an amazing insight into pre-European Maori life, something few people have attempted. A must read for anyone with any interest in pre-contact NZ.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was brought up in New Zealand with virtually no Maori history taught to us. I can't recall any Maoris at my primary school and a couple at secondary school. So this book is incredibly informative. Nothing changes. Man is a war like conquesting beast no matter what their colour.

[Mark Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It took a while to find its stride but ended up a fascinating read with well-crafted characters. A surprise ending! I grew up in Tauranga, slightly to the west of the setting, but it's mostly familiar country.