Keri Hulme was borne in 1947 and is a New Zealand novelist, poet, and short-story writer. Her novel, The Bone People, won the Man Booker Prize in 1985. She was the first New Zealander to win this award. Hulme's writing explores themes of isolation, postcolonial and multicultural identity, and Maori, Celtic, and Norse mythology. She has also written under the pen name Kai Tainui.
Hulme was born in Christchurch, in New Zealand's South Island. The daughter of John W., a carpenter, and Mere, a credit manager, she was the eldest of six children. Of her mixed ancestry Hulme says "Our family comes from diverse people: Kai Tahu, Kāti Māmoe (South Island Maori iwi); Orkney islanders; Lancashire folk; Faroese and/or Norwegian migrants." Hulme'ser father died when she was 11 years old. She worked as a tobacco picker in Motueka after high school. She began studying for an honours law degree at the University of Canterbury in 1967, but left after four terms and returned to tobacco picking, continuing to write throughout this period. I wonder what lies behind that....
Caroline said that she found the writing powerful, that she was writing very much 'out of the box'. Caroline was very impressed by the book and awarded 4.5 stars
Lorraine found the book hard work to read, she had to keep checking back to orientate herself in the narrative, to harness the thoughts in her head. Lorraine gave the book 4 stars for the calibre of the story and writing and 3 stars for accessibility
We wondered about mysteries surrounding Simon, his muteness, his attempts to speak which resulted in vomiting. A troubled child. Kerewin had lost the will to paint, we wondered why. Often in the book some details were give but the not elaborated upon. So some of the what we took from the book was speculative but the writing carried the narrative forward.
Michelle submitted a thorough review which Lorraine read to us. It was clear that she felt intense indignation about the treatment of Simon by Joe. The abusive section was harrowing to read. Michelle said : I give the Bone People 5*. A literary novel without a doubt - and brave handling of a difficult subject. I'd probably have given it 6 stars if it had stayed rather more on point!
We discussed the reception that the book had received after it finally got published. Twelve unsuccessful attempts to find a publisher. Critics gave a mixed reception. One reviewer criticised the fact that a book should meet the requirements of the reader, to write for a readership. Jan put the other view that in effect with writers it is horses for courses. Writers have different objectives in writing a novel, or other genres. Some writers read to be popular, accessible and to entice readers to buy their subsequent books. At the other end of a spectrum other writers write the book they want to, the story they have to tell in the language and style they find appropriate. That is another kind of art. Keri Hulme would fall into this category. Jan gave the book 5 stars.
Jane says: Just to let you know that the next book club date has been changed to the 3 January and we are reading ‘Never stop walking’ at Caroline’s house in Hameau Joulines, La Pernelle. Françoise, I am happy to drive us if you want. Thank you so much to Lorraine for a delicious kedgeree lunch today and an interesting discussion about The Bone people.
Here are the books we will be reading in 2019. Venue should be confirmed a few days before by whoever is welcoming the book club by group email.
February 14th - Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro
March 14th - The Waves by Virginia Woolf
April 11th - Lucy Gault by William Trevor
May 9th - Mr Pye by Melvyn Peale
June 13th - Gorky park by Martin Cruz Smith
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