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The Whale Rider

Witi Ihimaera

Discussion: Books Set in Oceania

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Books Set in Oceania

* Authors from Oceania
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 7 posts · 572 views

last updated Nov 25, 2015 03:16AM

New Zealand
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 33 posts · 1085 views

last updated Aug 12, 2025 09:48PM

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What Members Thought

Aug 20, 2018 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: travel-the-world

Loved this version of the Maori legend of the Whale Rider. Now, I will have to watch the movie.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 21, 2020 superawesomekt rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: girls-are-great

3.5/4 stars

I wish I had known there was a glossary in the back as the non-English words peppered throughout were a challenge for me. I didn't dislike it but I would have used the glossary! Ihimaera wrote this for his daughters, which knowledge gave this book a special tenderness and sweetness.

I remember liking the movie, though it's been at least twenty years since I've seen it. ...more

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Oct 22, 2010 Madeleine rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kids-ya, sea-creatures

Loved the movie. Liked the book a lot too though maybe not quite as much as the movie.

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Nov 27, 2019 Katie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, male-author, ___australia-oceania, _new-zealand

I just couldn't get into this. ...more

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Nov 21, 2017 Grace rated it it was amazing

I listened to the reading by Jay Laga'aia and followed along on the orange Penguin book edition (published 2010) at the same time. I doubt that I would have enjoyed the story as much if I had only listened to the audiobook, or only read the book by itself.
The audiobook sets the location so well: with lovely introductory music, with Mr Laga'aia accent, with the way he does different character voices so well.
The paper book showed me when the story switched languages, or when the story switched s ...more

1 like · Like · see review