An interesting portrayal of Maori in New Zealand society. A very brutal story of one woman who transcends her life's misery and manages to survive, just.

Cover different to the one shown.

Sent to Sherlockfan for release at BC Conference in Wellington 16th-18th Feb 2007.

Thanks priceliss. A classic NZ book by a known and appreciated writer. I've never been able to bring myself to read the book, or watch the movie; I'd had too much experience with similar families through work as a volunteer budget adviser and seen enough pain. However, when a musical was made from it a year or so ago curiosity took me there and I really enjoyed that.

Almost all the actors in the musical were unemployed at the time and the experience of being part of something and achieving great results was hailed as a great experience. I wonder what became of them all.

The book was remaining towards the end of the convention so I collected it for a special reason. I'm collecting a group of books to send to vc_Mike in Ventura CA following his generous parcels books for the Convention and who expressed an interest in receiving NZ books after the convention was over. I think he is more interested in crime, but he did say NZ writers and Alan Duff certainly is a very good NZ writer.

Hope you like this one Mike - I'll be interested to follow its fortunes.