The Bone People by Estate of Keri Ann Ruhi Hulme Winner of the Booker Prize

The Bone People by the Estate of Keri Ann Ruhi Hulme is a Booker Prize-winning novel, awarded in 1985. It follows Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist who believes a solitary life is the only way she can face the world. Set against New Zealand’s people, heritage and landscape, the story is described as being conjured with “uncanny poetry and perceptiveness”.

Kerewin’s isolation is disrupted when Simon arrives during a rainstorm. Simon is a mute six-year-old whose past appears to carry a terrible trauma. Soon after, his foster-father Joe enters her life: a Maori factory worker with a nasty temper. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals the truths behind the three characters and develops into an ambitious work that explores the clash between Maori and European characters in prose noted for its poignancy.

Key details

• Author: Estate of Keri Ann Ruhi Hulme
• Winner of the Booker Prize (1985)
• Centres on Kerewin, a part-Maori artist living in isolation
• Introduces Simon, a mute six-year-old, and Joe, his foster-father
• Set within New Zealand’s people, heritage and landscape

Synopsis

Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist, has chosen solitude as her way of facing the world. Her seclusion is broken when Simon, a mute six-year-old, arrives during a rainstorm, followed by Joe, Simon’s foster-father and a Maori factory worker with a volatile temper.

The story gradually reveals the truths behind these three lives, while also addressing the clash between Maori and European characters. It is presented as a large-scale, ambitious narrative written in poetic, perceptive prose.