Catalogue

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Title:	Potiki
Authors:	Grace, Patricia
Genre:	Fiction
Pages:	185
Year:	1986
Language:	English
Description:	Award-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
Categories:	Fiction NZ, Award winner, Community, MÄori, Social commentary/perspectives, Blind Low Vision library, Narrative Muse Book Club, Ockham Winner

Reviews

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By: AUCK 335		2024-06-26 11:34:29

Lyrical, poetic and challenging, still relevant after almost 40 years. We loved Grace's poetic style and wonderful descriptions of land and sea and felt we gained a deeper understanding of some aspects of Maori culture: the understanding and significance of history, the link between whanau and whenua, the values of community, inclusiveness and hospitality, manaakitanga and aroha. Highly recommended.

By: SUTHER 001		2024-05-09 10:28:28

Group thought the book was still relevant 40 years after publication.

By: WELL 206		2024-01-18 12:52:51

Our group enjoyed the book and characters. A satisfying story, beautifully written.

By: AUCK 105		2023-09-18 10:28:38

Enjoyed the book mostly. Felt she had written better books later in her writing.

By: DUNED 004		2022-09-23 14:44:05

Engendered wide ranging discussion. Hugely relevant to all NZers to assist with cross cultural understanding.

By: WAIUK 005		2022-06-30 11:46:45

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.

By: WELL 156		2021-09-27 11:28:23

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.

By: UPHU 007		2021-09-27 11:26:13

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.

By: DUNED 016		2021-09-27 11:22:34

Well received by all members.

By: CHCH 143		2021-09-27 11:21:51

Several liked it - a gentle read. Cleverly written.

By: AUCK 270		2021-09-27 11:19:20

Some lovely prose; at times quite difficult to read due to a lot of metaphors.

By: WAITAT 004		2021-09-27 11:17:17

What a wonderful read! Such an insight into, what is for us, another culture and another world view.

By: WANAK 015		2021-09-27 11:16:19

We all gained a great deal of insight into Maori thinking- Patricia Grace writes so poetically. A precious book.

By: AUCK 210		2021-09-24 14:57:44

It opened our eyes to a better understanding of matters 'Maori'.

By: AUCK 273		2021-09-24 14:56:24

Beautifully written, should be compulsory text for schools and immigrants to help understand Maori customs and connection to the land.

By: WANG 011		2021-09-06 11:50:27

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.

By: WAITAT 004		2018-07-25 15:13:54

We all enjoyed this book. We felt it gave a very intimate insight into Maori culture and whanau relations.

Catalogue

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Reviews