The Bone People (Picador Books)
15 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon.co.uk
Synopsis
Powerful and visionary, Keri Hulme has written the great New Zealand novel of our times. The Bone People is the story of Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is rudely blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm of Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. In his wake comes his foster-father Joe, a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. The narrative unravels to reveal the truths that lie behind these three characters, and in so doing displays itself as a huge, ambitious work that tackles the clash between Maori and European characters in beautiful prose of a heartrending poignancy.
Synopsis
Powerful and visionary, Keri Hulme has written the great New Zealand novel of our times. The Bone People is the story of Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is rudely blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm of Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold some terrible trauma. In his wake comes his foster-father Joe, a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. The narrative unravels to reveal the truths that lie behind these three characters, and in so doing displays itself as a huge, ambitious work that tackles the clash between Maori and European characters in beautiful prose of a heartrending poignancy.
Received as a surprise RABCK this morning, out of the blue! From my Wishlist, and through RABCK.com! Wow! Thanks heaps, Spike1972!!
My Pleasure :O)
List for the bookring:
lojima (France).
catsalive (Australia).
lojima (France).
catsalive (Australia).
Journal Entry 5 by Hawkette from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, December 8, 2007
I actually have this one in my possession, and have sent out a PM to people with it on their wishlist, in preparation for a bookray...quite some time ago! I will collate the list, and the beginning of the list that Spike1972 has here, and get this moving...
The bookray list:
catsalive (Australia)
Captainsdoxy (New Zealand)
lojima (France)
CynthiaA (Canada)
tranq1 (USA)
nightraine56 (USA)
nekki2976 (USA)
The bookray list:
catsalive (Australia)
Captainsdoxy (New Zealand)
lojima (France)
CynthiaA (Canada)
tranq1 (USA)
nightraine56 (USA)
nekki2976 (USA)
Journal Entry 6 by Hawkette from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, February 21, 2008
This book is my longest reading ever! I started this mid Novemeber, and finished a week ago! Not because I wasn't enjoying, not because the characters weren't interesting...just life, I guess!!
The story of the bond between Simon and Joe, and the difficulties and tragedies they have faced - and then the introduction of Kerewin into their world, was woven and drawing for me. This book for me wasn't so much about the Maori way of life, and perhaps that means I missed the point, but more about how people bond, and relate to each other, and how people of a certain circumstance tends to amazingly find each other in this world.
Will be sending out to NZ shortly, for the start of the ray.
The story of the bond between Simon and Joe, and the difficulties and tragedies they have faced - and then the introduction of Kerewin into their world, was woven and drawing for me. This book for me wasn't so much about the Maori way of life, and perhaps that means I missed the point, but more about how people bond, and relate to each other, and how people of a certain circumstance tends to amazingly find each other in this world.
Will be sending out to NZ shortly, for the start of the ray.
Journal Entry 7 by Captainsdoxy from Waikanae, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, April 4, 2008
Received yesterday in the post, many thanks for sending. I'm looking forward to reading this one, it's had mixed reviews from friends here - some love it and some are not so keen!
Journal Entry 8 by Captainsdoxy from Waikanae, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, May 9, 2008
I've just finished this, sorry for taking more than a month to get it read.
It was interesting reading this on the flight from NZ to UK, having watched "Once Were Warriors" as an in-flight movie. Both the book and the movie depict a maori society where violence and physical abuse seem to be such a part of the culture.
Although I enjoyed the story of the developing relationship between the 3 main characters, I found some of the dreamy/other worldly sections less appealing. But overall I think it works well as a story, and I'm glad I read it.
Now to be sent on its way to Lojima.
It was interesting reading this on the flight from NZ to UK, having watched "Once Were Warriors" as an in-flight movie. Both the book and the movie depict a maori society where violence and physical abuse seem to be such a part of the culture.
Although I enjoyed the story of the developing relationship between the 3 main characters, I found some of the dreamy/other worldly sections less appealing. But overall I think it works well as a story, and I'm glad I read it.
Now to be sent on its way to Lojima.
Arrived today! Perfect timing as I'm on the last chapter of my current book right now! Thanks captainsdoxy for shipping it all the way around the world and thanks Hawkette for the ring!
Update: July 18, 2008: I finished the book a week or so back, and it was very good. The writing was wonderful and I loved the three characters. It was telling that I cared about what happened to them even when their behaviour was loathsome. I also enjoyed the Maori culture interwoven through the story.
I am awaiting a mailing address to send this book on.
Update: August 15, 2008: Both tranq1 and nightraine56 asked to be skipped and nekki2976 didn't respond after multiple PMs. So I searched the wishlists and the book is headed across the pond the Heaven-Ali in the UK on Monday.
Update: July 18, 2008: I finished the book a week or so back, and it was very good. The writing was wonderful and I loved the three characters. It was telling that I cared about what happened to them even when their behaviour was loathsome. I also enjoyed the Maori culture interwoven through the story.
I am awaiting a mailing address to send this book on.
Update: August 15, 2008: Both tranq1 and nightraine56 asked to be skipped and nekki2976 didn't respond after multiple PMs. So I searched the wishlists and the book is headed across the pond the Heaven-Ali in the UK on Monday.
Journal Entry 10 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Arrived today - thanks so much for sending it - CynthiaA. How funny that this should have started out with spike1972 *waves to Spike* : ) who was here in Birmingham with us a couple of weeks ago.
Journal Entry 11 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wow - well how can I even begin to review this really quite atonishing book. It is sometimes hard to read on two levels; hard because some of the things these characters do to one another, and the repercussions - made me almost want to look away, but also because of the langauge used in the novel. There are many maori phrases, words and names, even the print is not always arranged in a conventional way. There is also some unusual mythical imagery which sometimes makes it a little hard to get your head around. Having said that - it is so worth it. At times the story of Simon, Kerewin and Joe is nothing short of heartbreaking, it is often brutal, horribly so. What fascinated me was the idea of how three people only really worked when they were together, that despite the terrible beatings visted upon Simon, I found myself slowly beginning to forgive Joe and Kerewin for their betrayl of one of the most memorable child characters I have read about. There were several times when I had tears in my eyes as I read, and I think I'll continue to think about Simon in particular for some time to come.
Bookray:
Lucy-Lemon - Bangor - UK (UK)
Jaynereader - yorkshire - UK
karen07814 - Essex UK (UK)
Amanida - surrey - UK (INT)
Jean-Sol - Melbourne Austrtalia (INT)
wandering-B - Hong Kong -it's here
RubyBlueLady - Wiltshire - UK (INT)
CaterinaAnna - Coventry - UK
24-7-365Reader - Droitwich - UK
scotsbookie - Peebles - UK (Eur)
lidlekiwi - London UK
swanofkennet Barrow - UK
Bookray:
Lucy-Lemon - Bangor - UK (UK)
Jaynereader - yorkshire - UK
karen07814 - Essex UK (UK)
Amanida - surrey - UK (INT)
Jean-Sol - Melbourne Austrtalia (INT)
wandering-B - Hong Kong -it's here
RubyBlueLady - Wiltshire - UK (INT)
CaterinaAnna - Coventry - UK
24-7-365Reader - Droitwich - UK
scotsbookie - Peebles - UK (Eur)
lidlekiwi - London UK
swanofkennet Barrow - UK
Journal Entry 12 by Heaven-Ali at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Released 15 yrs ago (3/19/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
If you have found this book, thank you for taking the time to look it up on the internet. Now please tell us what you thought of the book and what your plans for it are.
If you have found this book, thank you for taking the time to look it up on the internet. Now please tell us what you thought of the book and what your plans for it are.
This arrived over the weekend, thanks! I'm really looking forward to reading this.
Talk about coincidental! After looking for this book in all the charity shops I've ever been to (or at least it feels that way), I was sent this book as a RABCK!
Rather than hold the ring up by reading this copy, I will send it on to Jaynereader as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing your book :-)
Rather than hold the ring up by reading this copy, I will send it on to Jaynereader as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing your book :-)
It's arrived safely, thanks lucy-lemon. I'll start it right away.
I mostly agree with Heaven-Ali about this book, although I could never really forgive Joe for what he did to Simon. A very good read most of the time, hampered with a bit of mumbo jumbo in places.
this is off to karen07814 this morning, thanks everyone
this is off to karen07814 this morning, thanks everyone
arrived safely today and is next on the lst to be read, thank you
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
over to you
over to you
Beautifully crafted and I was curious as to how the secondary lines of the tale would pan out. A sensitive subject in places dealt with adeptly.
As good as Bryce Courtenay for making you feel the country.
As good as Bryce Courtenay for making you feel the country.
Arrived safely on this sunny May Day. Will start as soon as I finish my current book, looks intriguing. Thanks everyone!
A stunning and moving book. Other journallers have captured many of my thoughts. I did find it a bit hard to get into and to really identify with the characters at first, but once I knew them I was hooked and the last 100 or so pages were un-putdownable.
Will be winging its way back to Australia later today.
Will be winging its way back to Australia later today.
Received in the mail today, thank you Amanida. I have a fair bit to read at the moment and this is quite a chunky book, but I'll do my best - I'm paranoid about holding up bookrings, however I noticed some of my predecessors had it for a few months at a time, so it looks like a book to be savoured. I also noticed that this book pretty much started its journey from NZ via Melbourne 3 or so years ago, so it must have gone around the world and back. How exciting!
Journal Entry 23 by 
Jean-Sol
at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, June 12, 2009
Jean-Sol at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, June 12, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (6/10/2009 UTC) at Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I think all the other bookcrossers on this bookring have pretty much commented on what I felt whilst I was reading this book. I actually couldn't read it at night before going to sleep so I had a 'light read' in parallel. but I really liked it, although some parts of it I probably didn't understand, I must admit! It's a totally unusual book and quite brilliant in itself. I had never heard of it before and I'm so pleased that I read it.
I googled Keri Hulme and apparently she's a poet who has only written one novel, this one. It was allegedly refused by several publishers until a small publishing company took it on and it went on to win the Booker. So the book has a great story too.
I think all the other bookcrossers on this bookring have pretty much commented on what I felt whilst I was reading this book. I actually couldn't read it at night before going to sleep so I had a 'light read' in parallel. but I really liked it, although some parts of it I probably didn't understand, I must admit! It's a totally unusual book and quite brilliant in itself. I had never heard of it before and I'm so pleased that I read it.
I googled Keri Hulme and apparently she's a poet who has only written one novel, this one. It was allegedly refused by several publishers until a small publishing company took it on and it went on to win the Booker. So the book has a great story too.
Received in the post today - thanks Jean-Sol for sending it to me! I have a few in front of it but hope to get to it quickly.
Appologies to all - I just cannot get in to this book. Mt. TBR is threatening to topple, and rather than hold on to this any longer, I am going to pass it along. Thanks to all for sharing. Maybe I can get to it next go-round.
Journal Entry 26 by RubyBlueLady from Avebury, Wiltshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I know a lot more about Maori culture than I did before I read this. I loved the mythical and magical aspects of the book, the imagery and the sheer unusualness of the writing style. Kerewin will probably stay with me for a long time to come, she's such a unique but (I thought) lovable character, though I have the feeling that she would say 'me? lovable?'.
I'm so glad I joined this bookray, yes, it's not the most accessible book in the world, but it is rewarding if you stick with it.
Contacting CaterinAnna for her address
I'm so glad I joined this bookray, yes, it's not the most accessible book in the world, but it is rewarding if you stick with it.
Contacting CaterinAnna for her address
Journal Entry 27 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, October 24, 2009
Apologies RubyBluelady for not responding to your message about my address yet - real life is getting in the way muchly atm - but I see you confirmed it with someone else or took a chance, because the book has arrived safely. I've two above it on Mount Toobie, but it should be there soon.
Journal Entry 28 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 16, 2009
While I didn't always like the characters, and sometimes didn't understand them, I at least felt I knew them - a bit like many people in real life I suppose. The developing relationships were wonderful and what someone above referred to as the mystical bits were woven into that so well that they did not seem as bizzare or anachronistic as they are in say paul Coelho's The Pilgramage (to cite my most recent annoying book).
I'm afraid I can't be more specific, as I did read this a few weeks back & have been sitting on it since, but have now PM'd 24-7-365Reader for an address.
Thank you Heaven-Ali for organising this latest ray, and to everyone who has got it round the world and back again.
I'm afraid I can't be more specific, as I did read this a few weeks back & have been sitting on it since, but have now PM'd 24-7-365Reader for an address.
Thank you Heaven-Ali for organising this latest ray, and to everyone who has got it round the world and back again.
Journal Entry 29 by Caterinaanna at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, December 18, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (12/18/2009 UTC) at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way ...
On its way ...
Arrived yesterday, 1 in front of it, so will start it asap, got a busy couple of days coming up though, 2 kids, relatives and Christmas lunch to cook!! :)
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing
Just wanted to update, this is next up so I will get it moving as soon as I can, thanks for sharing :)
I am sorry to say that I just haven't been able to get through this book, I have had tried a couple of times but with no luck. I really wanted to enjoy this book and I liked the idea of the story, maybe if it had been edited a little better (I know the author didn't want this) I would have had a better chance with it. If ever it comes my way again I will give it another go, but I think I have held on to it for long enough now. Thanks for sharing.
Waiting for the next readers address.
Waiting for the next readers address.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
sent on it's way to the next on the list, thanks for sharing :)
sent on it's way to the next on the list, thanks for sharing :)
Arrived while I was away for a few days. Starting it tonight.
