The Whale Rider

It was probably inevitable that I'd get to this book. The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera is kind of one of the first big popular (see: moneymaking) successes by a Maori writer. It was ultimately made into a movie that also achieved critical and financial success. It did well for good reason. It provides a pretty cool story, combining elements of Maori folk lore with a "modern" setting, and the issues that arise from it. The thumbnail sketch is, an elder Maori man...a high-level chief...is ready to begin the process of passing his knowledge down the line to the next-in-line male heir. Problem is, the only available direct descendant is a girl. The old man is thoroughly opposed to this, has no use for the little girl, and spends the majority of the story shunning and excluding her at every available opportunity, while looking everywhere and anywhere for some boy to impart his wisdom to. From the girl's end of things, she absolutely adores her grandfather, and throughout the story, we get glimpses of her true calling...glimpses that go unnoticed by her gender-blinded elder. In a dramatic conclusion, the grandfather realizes the error of his ways as his granddaughter steps up to claim her rightful place, but at what cost?! It was a quick read, a really interesting bit of Maori culture, and a good story.

Slipping Into Paradise

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson's Slipping Into Paradise: Why I Live In New Zealand, was a quick and interesting read. My feeling when the book ended was one of, "Huh...well...I guess that's that." I'm not sure why this is. One suspicion is, since I'm already living here and experiencing some of what the author experiences, it takes some of the "wow" out of it. Whatever the case, it made parts of the book sound like something that would come from me, and my various ramblings. He did touch on some interesting NZ history though, and those parts I thoroughly enjoyed. There was also a brief meeting he had with the late Sir Edmund Hillary that was enjoyable. Overall, I found this one kind of a mixed bag. Your own mileage may vary.