Potiki
Grace, PatriciaAward-winning NZ novel. Insight into a Maori community when it is threatened by Pakeha development. NZ Interest.
This title is also offered as part of the Narrative Muse Book Club. View this title on the Narrative Muse website
Comments from Groups
A beautiful book. Patricia Grace writes in a poetically profound way to let us into the lives and minds of Maori people who are deeply connected to a piece of land , and the tribal buildings on it. This contrasts with the complete lack of comprehension of their values on the part of land developers. Tissues needed. Christchurch 203 This book was well received by our group, and our members' understanding of 'things Maori' was increased, and the signficance of their stories appreciated. Whangarei 009 Book enjoyed by all. We agreed it should possibly be read by all New Zealanders! It generated excellent discussion. Riversdale 001 We all loved this book, and had a great discussion about the issues it raised. Auckland 155 A positive and interesting discussion - especially as Grace has recently been involved in the threat of a motorway going through her family land. A dark, poetic and fascinating look at a lifestyle which is sadly becoming scarce. Whangarei 008 Members thought , although an older book, it played a significant part in the literature of New Zealand. Wanganui 004 Everyone enjoyed this book. It offered an insight into Maori culture and thought. Hokianga 001
Pages
185
185
Year
1986
1986
Reviews
18-01-2024
Our group enjoyed the book and characters. A satisfying story, beautifully written.
19-09-2023
Enjoyed the book mostly. Felt she had written better books later in her writing.
23-09-2022
Engendered wide ranging discussion. Hugely relevant to all NZers to assist with cross cultural understanding.
30-06-2022
A relatively easy read. It brought a certain amount of awareness of Maori culture, and it certainly touched your heart. We enjoyed the way the chapters were told by different people, helping us to relate to them. There is an ebb and flow to her writing, that reaches different places, and there was a feeling of being in the story rather than reading a novel.
27-09-2021
We thought that, within the confines of its time (1980s) and immediate context, this was a worthwhile and beautifully written book which we enjoyed reading. However we thought that the Maori elements were somewhat idealised and the Pakeha elements somewhat demonised.
27-09-2021
We had a full attendance and the book stimulated a lively discussion and very differing viewpoints. We mostly agreed that the writing style is beautiful and poetic.
27-09-2021
Well received by all members.
27-09-2021
Several liked it - a gentle read. Cleverly written.
27-09-2021
Some lovely prose; at times quite difficult to read due to a lot of metaphors.
27-09-2021
What a wonderful read! Such an insight into, what is for us, another culture and another world view.
27-09-2021
We all gained a great deal of insight into Maori thinking- Patricia Grace writes so poetically. A precious book.
24-09-2021
It opened our eyes to a better understanding of matters 'Maori'.
24-09-2021
Beautifully written, should be compulsory text for schools and immigrants to help understand Maori customs and connection to the land.
06-09-2021
It's the third Patricia Grace book that we've read and we appreciate her more and more. The mythological parts of her novels are more difficult for some of us but her style, apart from the dream world, is very impressive. The story is mainly about subjects which Pakeha can well sympathise with; the taking of land for war purposes and government reluctance to give it back. We understand that part well, but the interweaving of oral history and myth was less comprehensible and less interesting, at least to some of us.
25-07-2018
We all enjoyed this book. We felt it gave a very intimate insight into Maori culture and whanau relations.