The Bone People

[Abby1010]

Where does this term come from?

[thewillow]

I don't know but it's the title of a virtually unreadable Booker prize winning book (1985) by Keri Hulme about Maori culture.

[MikeMikeMike]

That book is astoundingly good! True, it starts with some disconcertingly unexplained dream-like descriptions of where the characters end up (go back to them when you've read it), but if you get past that then it's a really powerful story. A brave choice for a booker prize winner too, I think, since it does get rather close to making excuses for violent abuse. Other than that one reservation, I think all of you people should read it. Elements of western and maori culture, fusions and conflicts between symbols which represent the two, and a mixture of the real with something akin to fable or magic realism which makes it one of the most enlivening books I've ever read. Descriptions of conversations between a wordsmith and a mute child which are mind boggling well written, to the point where you learn the child's sign language and have no need for a translation in the narrative. Go and buy two copies, it is one of those books which you won't want to lose but really really have to give to someone.