$27.99
3 in stock
3 in stock
A story of two brothers, born and raised in the shadow of Taranaki Maunga, from major new literary talent and No. 1 bestselling author Airana Ngarewa.
Kauri and Black’s mum has been gone six months now. Their dad is barely holding on and the threat of child services taking Black looms large. Kauri won’t let that happen, and so he embarks on a journey into their family’s past. The only way to break the cycle of violence is to understand where it all began. But when an accident brings child services to their door, the race is on for Kauri to save his brother. And he will learn that no matter how brave or strong he is, he cannot do it alone.
A stunning and unforgettable story, perfect for fans of Aue by Becky Manawatu, Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera and Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton.
‘One of Aotearoa’s finest writers’ NEW ZEALAND LISTENER
‘An exquisitely written book . . . Ngarewa’s skill with words is exceptional’ KETE BOOKS
Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Imprint: Moa Press
Publication date: 11/06/2024
The Bone Tree
by Airana Ngarewa
Review by Māia
The Bone Tree is a personal tale of grief, institutional brutality and generational violence told with humour and tenderness. As two brothers navigate the recent loss of their mother while caring for their volatile father, Kauri, the eldest, must confront his increasingly distressing reality and uncover the mystery of his parents’ past. Kauri is an unforgettable and deeply affecting character, both afraid and determined to heal the wounds of his past. His instinctive yet reluctant connection to his whakapapa guides him in unsuspecting ways as he ventures into the city and bridges lost whānau connections. Ngarewa’s writing is sensory and atmospheric, giving attention to moments of humanity in bleak and divisive circumstances. Kauri’s innocent experience of a brutal world makes The Bone Tree a painful but important read. For fans of Once Were Warriors, Better the Blood and Auē.
