I don't hate it. Therefore, the two stars.

I do wish I understood it.

I am sure that this story was written about three people and a culture I do not understand.

It was an interesting experiment in a writing style all the author's own. The author seemed to have a unique way of presenting the story, which might have been very effective for those who could fully grasp the intended meaning.

However, it was just too vague and cryptic for me to appreciate. The lack of clear explanations and straightforward narrative made it difficult for me to follow and connect with the story on a deeper level. I found myself constantly trying to figure out what the author was trying to convey, but often coming up short.

Despite this, I still respect the author's attempt to break free from the traditional writing norms and explore a new style. Maybe with more exposure and understanding of the culture and context in which the story is set, I might be able to better appreciate its beauty and significance.

Conflict - it's what makes a story interesting.

I find myself in a conflict when writing a review of this book.

Regarding the literary style and voice, I would give it five stars. The author has a certain flair that makes the reading experience quite engaging.

However, when it comes to the content, I would probably rate it a 1. The style of the book seems to somewhat conceal the actual events that take place within the novel. Essentially, we are introduced to three extremely damaged individuals who are supposed to function as a kind of family. But let's be clear, you definitely cannot use the word 'healthy' to describe their interactions.

Spoiler Alert! My biggest issue is that the male character repeatedly beats a 7-year-old child and eventually puts him in a coma. And although the child eventually wakes up with permanent damage, the book ends with these two reunited, as if it's the best thing for the child. This is highly disturbing and goes against any sense of morality and what is right for a child's well-being.

Additionally, there is an alarming amount of alcohol abuse by all three characters, including the child. This further adds to the negative aspects of the story.

In my opinion, while the author's style is great, it cannot make up for these serious flaws in the content.

Conflict resolved.

The story and the characters presented in this book are truly amazing.

The author has masterfully utilized the combination of dialogue and interior monologue to carry the story forward with a minimum of narration. This approach not only makes the reading experience more engaging but also allows the readers to form a deeper connection with the characters.

I really like this aspect of the book. However, I would rate this book more as a 4.5 stars rather than a full 5. The reason for this is that the ending was a bit too neatly wrapped up in a bow.

Throughout the book, I was led slowly, with an air of mystery surrounding the three major characters. The anticipation and the build-up were excellent, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

But then, suddenly, it all ended in a rather fairy tale-like manner, which felt a bit anticlimactic. Nevertheless, despite this minor flaw, the book is still a great read and I would highly recommend it to others.

The Bone People is, quite simply, the most powerful, moving, and stunning book I have ever read.

The characters are masterfully drawn. I initially wanted to hate Joe, but his profound pain made it impossible for me to truly do so. I never excused his actions - and Hulme did not ask the reader to. Instead, she challenges us to view our society as a whole, to see how we treat people and how our communities contribute to creating the violent and terrible situations that lead to child abuse.

Some people might argue that the mysticism in the latter part of the novel detracts from it. However, I couldn't disagree more. I found that it seamlessly fit into the story and enhanced the messages the author was trying to convey. The imagery in this novel is absolutely breathtaking. I have never been so deeply moved and captivated by a novel as I have by this one. It forced me to question my perceptions and changed me as a person by the time I finished reading it.

The book is rather long, and there are a few slow-paced sections. I had to read it twice to fully understand it. I admit that I hated Joe during my first reading, but it was only the second time that I began to truly understand him. This is a complex and multi-layered work that addresses a wide range of issues, including child abuse, spirituality, community, and culture.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to everyone. You may not like it or agree with it, but it will undoubtedly have an impact on you. It still haunts me to this day.

I'm still amazed, after reading several other reviews, that no one mentions the extreme level of violence towards a child in this book.

Maybe things were different back in the 80s, but I contemplated quitting reading several times because the beating disgusted me.

I don't deny this is an incredible book though.

The Bone People tells the story of three disparate people - Kerewin, Joe, and Simon. Kerewin is a recluse, cutting herself off in her tower as she paints. Joe is a Maori whose wife died recently and is struggling to deal with his own emotions. Simon is the young boy who was rescued from a shipwreck and who Joe and his wife were in the process of adopting.

Simon's behavior is exceptionally challenging, and on his own, Joe resorts to extreme violence to stop the boy from stealing or breaking property. Once Kerewin becomes involved, the violence is stopped.

The story then follows the relationship between the three, which seems to be getting stronger until Kerewin pushes them away. A tragedy occurs, and the fate of all three hangs in the balance.

I was horrified by the level of violence in this book. I was also shocked by the acceptance of quite a number of people that this was an acceptable way to deal with bad behavior - what they objected to was the way Joe took it to extremes.

I was also stunned by the final tragedy and its outcome. I wonder if the same outcome would apply these days? You'll have to read the book and make your own mind up.

This book really makes you think about how we deal with difficult children and the consequences of our actions. It also shows the power of relationships and how they can be both a source of strength and a cause of pain.

Overall, The Bone People is a thought-provoking and emotional read that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

The truth is that I don't even know how to rate this novel. I'm not even sure if I should classify it as such. And, certainly, I'm unable to decide if I liked it or not. It is the most complex book in both substance and form that I have ever read. At least, as far as I can remember.

To begin with, it has several voices, a style that is halfway between prose and poetry, and a layout that is truly unique. But what really has an impact, for better or for worse, is how unadorned the story is and the lack of modesty with which it approaches such complicated themes as violence, alcoholism, loneliness, or identity.

It is an uncomfortable book and, of course, not suitable for all audiences. If I have finished its almost 700 pages, it's not because I was enjoying the reading, but because there is something attractive in the darkness that drives us to want to know, to keep uncovering. It has left me with a very bitter feeling. Would I recommend it? Only to brave and gutsy readers.

I have rather mixed feelings about this book.

The descriptive language employed within its pages is, at times, truly amazing. It has the power to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

However, there is a downside. Looking up the frequent Maori phrases (which are conveniently located at the back of the book) can be quite annoying. Why couldn't there have been footnotes for a more seamless reading experience?

'Hearing' a character's thoughts and seeing through their eyes does indeed provide deep insights into their personalities and motives. But, on the other hand, I'm sometimes left unsure as to which character is having those thoughts. The disjointed thought processes often cause me to lose my way, and I find myself giving up on paragraphs and simply skipping to the next.

The blurring of the lines between the reality and the dream world is an interesting concept. It's all well and good, but I'm not always certain which is which. This is likely a deliberate ploy by the author to add an element of mystery and confusion. But when coupled with the disjointed thoughts and character confusion, it brings me to a new level of disorientation.

All in all, despite its flaws, I did enjoy this book. I'm pretty sure I have a general understanding of what happened (although I probably missed some details along the way). The narrative style, while frustrating at times, was also interesting and engaging.

The book follows the push-pull dynamics between the three main characters. Their journey is one of finding a place where they can be 'together-apart' from each other, reconciled to themselves yet still part of a community, at peace with the ghosts of their past, and comfortable with their mixed-ethnicity.

The three main characters are odd, definitely flawed, but ultimately human and loveable. It is this very humanity and likability that carried the book for me and made it a worthwhile read.

I’ve just completed reading The Bone People.

I selected it because I’m set to travel to New Zealand in a few weeks. I believe it enriches my experience to read books penned by authors of the country I’m about to visit.

When I delved into NZ books, this one was lauded as a classic NZ work.

Upon seeing that it was a Booker Prize winner, I braced myself for a demanding read with intricate emotions and relationships.

And indeed it is. It’s an extremely powerful story, written exquisitely and creatively. I relished the usage of words and imagery, as well as the employment of indented sections for the characters’ self-talk.

It didn’t take me long to become fully immersed in the story and the characters, yet it was a rather arduous kind of immersion.

The detailed portrayal of NZ plants and coastal environments was highly captivating and offered some emotional respite from the story.

I did sense that the latter part of the book had a slightly distinct tone and was a bit taken aback by the swift, mostly-ends-tied-up conclusion.

But it has given me a splendid perception of NZ Maori/Pakeha culture, encompassing both the positive and negative aspects, and the natural environment.

It is a book that will linger in my mind for a considerable time and will undoubtedly enhance my journey to NZ.

The novel centers around three individuals and their interconnections. Each of them feels isolated from their community for distinct reasons.

Kerewin Holmes, a painter and a recluse, treasures her solitude. Hailing from a wealthy family, she is estranged from them yet lacks no material possessions she desires. She resides in a tower, alone, shunning interaction with others, disliking being touched, and, like the author, deeming herself asexual.

Joe Gillaylay, a factory worker, and his wife adopted Simon, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Subsequently, Joe lost his wife and baby son to illness, leaving him alone to raise Simon. Simon is mute but has developed a shorthand method of communicating with his hands and can write proficiently at a young age. He is either unable or unwilling to disclose anything about his life before the shipwreck.

In one another, Kerewin, Joe, and Simon discover something they require, something they lack, a combination of love, friendship, and understanding. There is a profound love between Joe and Simon. However, be cautioned that at the heart of the story lies extremely violent child abuse.

I am aware that some readers may not wish to read a story that so explicitly addresses child abuse. Nevertheless, I believe the author endeavors to handle the issue honestly. I have found that novels dealing with unappealing and distressing behavior can ultimately become some of my favorites (such as Lolita and The Collector). Besides the subject matter, this novel was also challenging to read. It incorporates a significant amount of indigenous Maori language, but there is a translation reference at the back of the book for assistance. Even more challenging is the mixture of first and third-person narratives, with the first person alternating among the three main characters. Additionally, there is quite a bit of poetry interspersed throughout the story. For me, it was beneficial to not expect to understand everything but rather to focus on enjoying the story, the characters, and the setting. I did not think the ending suited the story very well.

For anyone willing to take on the described challenges, I highly recommend The Bone People. This novel won The Booker Award in 1985, and Keri Hulme was the first New Zealander to receive this accolade. To date, The Bone People is the only novel that Hulme has completed.

To be sent to Bettie,

The original article seems rather brief. Let's expand it to give more details and context. Imagine a beautiful sunny day. The birds are chirping merrily in the trees, and the gentle breeze is caressing the leaves. I have something very special to send to Bettie. It could be a heartfelt letter expressing my deepest feelings for her. Or perhaps it's a small gift that I know she will cherish. Maybe it's a book that I think she would love to read, filled with wonderful stories and adventures. As I prepare to send this to Bettie, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. I hope that whatever it is that I'm sending will bring a smile to her face and make her day even more special.

I carefully package the item, making sure it is secure and protected. I write Bettie's address on the envelope with a steady hand, imagining her opening it and reading or receiving the gift. I then take it to the post office and hand it over to the friendly postal worker. As I watch the package disappear into the sorting bin, I can only wait and hope that it reaches Bettie safely and that she will be happy with it.

The Bone People had been sitting on my to-read shelf for nearly a year. So, I thought it would be a great choice as the first read of 2013. I truly wanted to like it. In fact, for the initial hundred pages or so, I did. The language was unconventional yet richly textured and highly evocative. It was quite exotic to this American boy. This was sufficient that I didn't notice some major flaws until I was already too deep into the story to stop reading. Once I became aware of them, however, they were impossible to ignore.

My first issue with the book was that one gradually realizes that Kerewin is a rather bothersome character. Since she is arguably the most significant character, this poses a problem. If you're familiar with the mysterious and sometimes scary world of fan fiction, you'll know the term Mary Sue. Kerewin has some of the worst traits of a Mary Sue. The similarity of her name to the author's is just the first hint. She's also incredibly wealthy, talented in art, music, and language, a survivalist, and oh - she can kill a man with her bare hands. In both conversation and monologue, she sounds exactly like someone with all these qualities would sound: that is, she sounds absurd. By about three-quarters of the way through the book, I was cringing every time she opened her mouth.

Then there's the matter of child abuse. I understand that their relationship is supposed to symbolize the cultural conflict, but Joe beats Simon severely. Kerewin doesn't approve but doesn't really take much action. They both allow the kid to smoke and drink, for goodness' sake. Joe is presented in a disturbingly sympathetic light, and we're expected to be okay with it all by the end because he discovers an ancient god and is redeemed.

Yep, that's right. In fact, everyone discovers an ancient god, and all of their troubles miraculously disappear. Kerewin's cancer vanishes, and she is reunited with her family. The ending of this book is just filled with deus ex machina. The last fifty pages seem to groan under its weight. Everything is patched up between Joe and Simon. They all move in together, and it's wonderful. I could have overlooked the other flaws of the book if it weren't for this. The characters don't earn their own redemption or suffer due to their own mistakes. The gods fix everything. Maybe it's a great metaphor for cultural healing or the power of tradition, but it simply doesn't work.

I'm not exactly sorry that I read The Bone People, but I don't think I can recommend it.

C.K. Stead is a rather controversial figure in NZ literature, having been harshly criticized for his views on both The Bone People and The Luminaries. After reading The Bone People myself, I sought out his much-maligned letter to the London Review of Books in 1985, titled "Maoriness." In that letter, among some perhaps unfortunately worded statements, I found a set of arguments about Hulme's novel that closely matched my own reading. The letter is not entirely negative about the book, and neither am I. However, the final paragraph stood out to me. It said that while The Bone People has power, there is a bitter aftertaste, something black and negative deeply ingrained in its imaginative fabric that couldn't be eliminated by revision or editing. I too was left with a bitter aftertaste despite the book's obvious power and hold over me. The writing is some of the best I've seen in NZ literature, with a sense of place, especially for the South Island, that is unrivaled. Hulme takes delight in word-play and poetry, which initially made me think it would be a 5-star read. As Stead also pointed out, Simon is a major fictional character, the most complete, convincing, and fascinating of the three, especially considering his personality has to be conveyed without spoken language. I would add that Kerewin is just as fascinating, a singular personality who is clearly a fantastical version of Keri Hulme herself. But this makes things more problematic for me because despite the love she shows for Simon/Himi, she fails him repeatedly. The central subject matter is also quite dated and tone deaf. For example, Joe says he'd rather cut his throat than hurt his son, but he knows he'll welt him in the morning if the child is sulky or rude. Kerewin has suspicions that Simon is being bashed but does nothing about it, even when she realizes she is aiding and abetting the concealment of a criminal offense. She even says she hopes Simon's father knocks him sillier over the phone, essentially giving permission for the beating that follows. The book also contains snide asides about the Church, doctors, psychiatrists, meddling family members, North Islanders, the middle classes, and child protective services, which I think says more about the author's views on the "establishment" than about the problem of child abuse in NZ. In the end, I decided that The Bone People is 550 pages of Keri Hulme expounding on herself, with the poor, beleaguered Simon as a mere plot device to make a statement about spiritual awakening and the power of love to overcome personal failings. The rating I gave reflects my distaste for the handling of the subject matter, not the quality of the writing, which is mostly exceptional. Of course, this is all a personal opinion, and I don't hold any grudge towards readers who had a different and more positive experience.