A difficult, at times rewarding, collection of short stories.

Hulme has the remarkable ability to craft a tense atmosphere filled with frustration and violence. This creates a sense of unease within the reader, making the experience both captivating and uncomfortable. However, there are moments when her writing becomes overly experimental. It can be challenging to determine who is speaking and what they are referring to, which may cause some confusion.

Despite these drawbacks, I highly recommend reading the story titled "While my guitar gently sings." It is a very moving piece of writing that has the power to touch the reader's heart. The story likely explores deep emotions and themes, drawing the reader in and leaving a lasting impression.

Overall, Hulme's collection of short stories offers a unique and thought-provoking reading experience. While it may have its flaws, the moments of brilliance and emotional resonance make it well worth exploring.

Her novel The Bone People was truly one of the most remarkable things I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

However, this collection of short stories fails to live up to the same standard. It seems to be deliberately aiming to reveal to me the enchanting magic of life and the intricate interconnectedness of all beings.

Regrettably, it stumbles due to an overabundance of preciousness. It gives the impression of being the random scribblings of a pretentious high-school girl.

My advice would be to skip this particular work and instead turn to her masterpiece, The Bone People.

There, you will discover a world of depth, emotion, and literary brilliance that is sure to captivate and inspire you.

Don't waste your time on this lackluster collection when you could be沉浸 in the wonder of her true literary gem.

This book was not for me.

It failed to capture my interest from the very beginning. The story seemed to lack a clear direction, and the characters were not developed enough to make me care about them.

The writing style was also rather平淡, making it difficult for me to engage with the text. I found myself constantly losing focus and having to reread paragraphs just to understand what was going on.

Despite my best efforts, I could not bring myself to enjoy this book. It simply did not meet my expectations, and I would not recommend it to others.

I am sure there are many other books out there that would be a better fit for my reading preferences.

I'm not overly fond of fantasy or otherworldly books. However, I truly relished these short stories that delicately straddled the line between this world and another, with something ominously sinister lurking in each protagonist's life. Each story compelled me to ponder on human morals and purpose, due to the different failings of each protagonist.

My only reservation was that, being a collection of discrete short stories, I frequently had to reread passages to recall that the otherworld in the previous story was not precisely the same as the one in the current one. But I suspect that this hazy, swirling confusion of mine was, to some extent, intentional on the part of the author. It left me feeling a bit befuddled at times, much like Keri Hulme's protagonists.

I also adored the Māori roots of the book. It was an unfamiliar culture to me, yet it enhanced the overall setting of the book. I'm eagerly anticipating reading Bone People by Hulme next, as I thoroughly enjoyed her writing.

Phwoooeee! This is not an easy read by any means, but it is incredibly worth it.

It contains the typical kind of twisted themes that short stories often have. It is definitely not light bedtime reading. Some of the stories are written in super confusing and experimental ways. I really wish there could have been further elaboration in those parts. However, by the time I got through a few stories, I felt like I had a better grip on the way she writes. Hehe.

It is worth it for the few gems that are mixed in and for the overall journey. The way it presents issues of colonisation and the reality of life for many Māori is confronting. But it is also a good reminder for when you slip too complacently into the stories and descriptions that make you idealize your memories of Aotearoa.

I highly recommend reading this if you have been out of the country for a while!!!

Some of the first stories weren't that good. They might have lacked certain elements such as engaging plots or well-developed characters. However, as time went on, the quality of the stories improved significantly.

Some of the later ones were quite good. They had more depth and complexity, captivating the readers and keeping them hooked until the very end. The authors seemed to have learned from their earlier attempts and were able to create more interesting and memorable stories.

Perhaps it was through practice and experience that they were able to refine their skills and produce better works. Or maybe they were inspired by new ideas and concepts that allowed them to break free from the limitations of their previous stories.

Whatever the reason, it is clear that the evolution of the stories from not so good to quite good is a testament to the creativity and perseverance of the authors. It shows that with hard work and dedication, one can improve and achieve great things in the field of storytelling.

A Mixed Bag

This collection of stories presents a rather interesting and diverse picture.

On one hand, there are some truly brilliant stories within its pages. These tales have the power to captivate the reader, draw them in, and keep them engaged from start to finish. They展示了高超的写作技巧和丰富的想象力，能够让读者沉浸在独特的世界中。

However, on the other hand, there are also some stories that give the impression that they have been rather hastily cobbled together. It feels as if perhaps the author was trying to cash in on the success of something like "The Bone People" by quickly putting together a collection without fully developing each individual story.

Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag. While the brilliant stories are definitely a highlight, the ones that feel less polished do detract somewhat from the overall experience. It makes one wonder if a bit more time and care could have been put into the collection to make it truly outstanding.

I had to give this one up.

It is truly filled to the brim with such a plethora of emotions - bleakness that seeps into your soul, sorrow that weighs you down, pain that pierces through, death that looms large, loss that leaves an empty void, and anger that simmers beneath the surface.

Maybe I'm simply not in the right mental state or brain space to read it at this moment.

Perhaps it's just not the sort of subject matter that I can easily connect with or handle.

But one thing is for sure, it was far too overwhelming for me.

The language used in it is undeniably beautiful and highly evocative, capable of painting vivid pictures in your mind.

However, instead of bringing me any sort of enjoyment or enlightenment, it just makes me feel as if I'm drowning in every single chapter, suffocating under the weight of all those intense emotions.

It's a strange and almost painful experience, but sometimes you have to recognize when something is just not for you.

A deft tapestry

that invokes sun-bleached slopes

and carnivorous appetites

and alienation

and eerie miles of uniform bleating

and the rumbling languor of summer in nz.

Adored One Whale Singing,

and the dull golden glint of blank fish-stares

that proliferated in piles across the collection.

So much I didn't quite understand.

I feel that as I age and become more comfortable with the intricacies of te ao Māori,

Hulme and her work will be revisited,

frequently and fondly.

Perhaps with each passing year, I will gain a deeper appreciation for the layers of meaning and emotion that Hulme has woven into her creations.

The sun-bleached slopes may come to life in my mind's eye,

as I envision the vast landscapes and the unique beauty of New Zealand.

The carnivorous appetites and alienation may take on new significance,

as I reflect on the human condition and our place in the world.

The eerie miles of uniform bleating and the rumbling languor of summer may evoke a sense of nostalgia

for a time and place that I have yet to fully understand.

\\"A Drift in Dream\\" holds a special place as my absolute favorite within this collection of short stories. There could be several reasons for this. Perhaps it is because it serves as the precursor or back story of the highly acclaimed \\"The Bone People\\". This connection gives it an added layer of significance and intrigue.

As I delved into the pages of \\"A Drift in Dream\\", I was immediately captivated by the author's vivid descriptions and unique narrative style. The story unfolds in a dreamlike sequence, taking the reader on a journey through the protagonist's subconscious. The characters are well-developed and their emotions are palpable, making it easy to empathize with them.

The themes explored in the story, such as identity, memory, and the power of the subconscious, are both thought-provoking and relevant. It makes you question your own beliefs and perceptions, and leaves you with a sense of wonder and introspection. Overall, \\"A Drift in Dream\\" is a masterful piece of literature that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading short stories.

She's truly remarkable. I don't use that word lightly. When I say she's great, I'm comparing her to the likes of Faulkner, Joyce, and Woolf. These are literary giants whose works have stood the test of time and continue to influence generations of writers.

She has that same kind of talent and vision. Her writing is powerful, evocative, and deeply moving. It has the ability to transport readers to another world, to make them see things from a different perspective.

She has a unique voice that sets her apart from other writers. Her stories are filled with complex characters, richly detailed settings, and themes that are both universal and deeply personal.

In short, she is a writer of great promise and potential. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I have an intense love for short stories, and for story telling in general. This, to me, is truly the crème de la crème.

Each and every story has the power to construct a brand new, magical universe that you find yourself completely entranced by, never wanting to depart from it. And yet, at the same time, there's this strange longing within you that perhaps you never should have set foot in it at all.

The stories have this uncanny ability to stay with you. I often find myself asking a friend or a family member: "Hey, do you remember that time when we met that girl with the tattoo that...nevermind." or "This reminds me of the night when the fish...oh wait." It's as if these stories have actually taken place in my own life.

I highly recommend these short stories, but be prepared to be simultaneously spell bound and freaked out. It's an experience like no other that will leave you on the edge of your seat, completely immersed in the world of the story.