Tangi [NZ]

  1 Reviews

This is the story of a young Māori man, Tama, returning to his home marae after the death of his beloved father. Set over the three days of the tangi, this haunting study of grief and mortality weaves together two storylines, Tama’s past and present, illuminating the tension between the Māori and Pākehā worlds and urban and rural Māori.

Revised for the 50th anniversary of its release in 1973, this novel, the first to be published by a Māori author, continues to be a significant story of New Zealand literature.

Comments from BDS Reviewers

"The language! Wonderfully crafted."

"It has been a pleasure to revisit the writer's original story and to see it in an enhanced lyricism and maturity as a novel."

"Hauntingly beautiful study of grief and continuation of living."

"A strong sense of place. The book deals with Māori cultural beliefs and practices in a way quite easily understood by all readers."

"As ever, the writer paints the world a beautiful place with words."

Reviews

AUCK 443

06-06-2024

Due to unforeseen circumstances we were a small group who discussed this book. Some of us had read the original 'Tangi' and recognised that this was an excellent and relevant revision. It is beautifully written and gave a strong sense of place and connectedness. The influence of colonisation was very evident but there was also a growing awareness of the need for Pakeha to be more aware of the significance of Maori culture...