The Bone People is a 1984 novel by New Zealand author Keri Hulme. The novel is set on the coast of the South Island of New Zealand and follows the lives of three characters who are isolated in different ways. The three characters are a reclusive artist, a mute child, and the child’s foster father. The novel is a mystery, a love story, and an exploration of the zone where indigenous and European New Zealand meet, clash, and sometimes merge.
Keri Hulme, a Maori, grew up in Christchurch and Moeraki, New Zealand. She writes, paints, and whitebaits in Okarito, Westland. Hulme has written poems and short stories; The Bone People, originally published by Spiral, a New Zealand feminist collective, is her first novel. The novel was awarded the Booker Prize and the Pegasus Prize for Literature. The Bone People is a work of unfettered wordplay and mesmerizing storytelling that has captivated readers worldwide.
Author Background
Keri Hulme’s Biography
Keri Hulme was born on March 9, 1947, in Christchurch, New Zealand. She grew up in Moeraki and Christchurch and attended the University of Canterbury, where she studied anthropology, languages, and English literature. Hulme’s father was a carpenter and her mother was a schoolteacher. She has a mixed heritage of Maori, Scots, and English ancestry.
Literary Career
Keri Hulme is a novelist, poet, and short-story writer, who gained international recognition with her award-winning novel, The Bone People. The novel, which was published in 1983, won the Booker Prize in 1985. The Bone People is set on the coast of the South Island of New Zealand and focuses on three characters, all of whom are isolated in different ways: a reclusive artist, a mute child, and the child’s foster father.
Hulme’s other published works include a collection of short stories, Te Kaihau: The Windeater, and a book of poetry, Strands. She has also been involved in various cultural and literary organizations in New Zealand, including serving on the Literary Fund Advisory Committee and the Indecent Publications Tribunal. Hulme passed away on December 27, 2021, leaving behind a legacy of literary excellence.
Plot Overview
The Bone People is a novel by Keri Hulme that tells the story of three individuals who are isolated in their own way. The novel is set on the coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The three main characters are Kerewin Holmes, a reclusive painter, Joe Gillayley, a widower who is trying to find human companionship, and Simon, a mute child who is Joe’s adoptive son.
The novel begins with Kerewin, who lives alone in a tower overlooking the sea. She is approached by Simon, who is lost and seeking help. Kerewin is initially hesitant to help him but eventually takes him in. Joe, Simon’s adoptive father, arrives to take Simon back home. Kerewin becomes drawn into their lives and begins to develop a close relationship with both Joe and Simon.
As the story unfolds, the reader learns about the troubled pasts of all three characters. Simon is a mute child who has been traumatized by his experiences before he was adopted by Joe. Joe is a Maori man who has struggled with alcoholism and has a difficult relationship with his adoptive son. Kerewin is a talented artist who has isolated herself from society due to her own traumatic experiences.
Characters
Kerewin Holmes
Kerewin Holmes is a reclusive artist who lives in a tower overlooking the sea. She is an intelligent and independent woman who has a difficult time connecting with others. Kerewin is haunted by a tragic event in her past and has become emotionally closed off as a result. She is drawn out of her isolation when she meets Simon and Joe.
Simon P. Gillayley
Simon P. Gillayley is a young boy who is found washed up on the beach near Kerewin’s tower. He is mute and has no memory of his past. Simon is taken in by Joe Gillayley, who becomes his foster father. Simon is a gentle and innocent child who has a deep connection to the sea. He is able to communicate through his art and music.
Joe Gillayley
Joe Gillayley is a Maori man who lives with his wife and children in a small coastal town. He is a hardworking and proud man who has a deep connection to his culture and the land. Joe becomes Simon’s foster father and takes him under his wing. He struggles to connect with Kerewin, but over time they develop a mutual respect for each other.
Themes
Isolation and Connection
The Bone People by Keri Hulme explores the theme of isolation and connection. The three main characters in the novel, a reclusive artist, a mute child, and the child’s foster father, all experience different forms of isolation. The novel portrays the struggle of the characters to connect with one another and overcome their isolation. The author uses vivid descriptions and powerful imagery to convey the emotions of the characters and their journey towards connection.
Maori Culture
The Bone People also explores the theme of Maori culture. The novel is set on the coast of the South Island of New Zealand and portrays the Maori culture through the eyes of the characters. The author uses Maori words, phrases, and cultural practices to immerse the reader in the Maori culture. The novel highlights the struggle of the Maori people to preserve their culture in a world dominated by Western culture.
Healing and Redemption
The theme of healing and redemption is also prominent in The Bone People. The characters in the novel all have painful pasts that they must confront in order to heal and move forward. The novel portrays the journey of the characters towards healing and redemption through their relationships with one another. The author uses powerful imagery and metaphors to convey the emotional journey of the characters towards healing and redemption.
Literary Style and Structure
Keri Hulme’s writing style in “The Bone People” is unique and unconventional. She uses a mix of prose, poetry, and dialogue to tell the story, which creates a rich and complex narrative that engages the reader.
The novel is structured around three main characters, each with their own distinct voice and perspective. Hulme uses this structure to explore themes of identity, isolation, and connection.
One of the most striking features of Hulme’s style is her use of imagery. She paints vivid pictures of the New Zealand landscape and the characters’ inner worlds, using metaphors and similes to create a sense of depth and richness.
Critical Reception
The Bone People by Keri Hulme has received both positive and negative reviews since its publication in 1984. Some critics have praised the novel for its unique storytelling style and its exploration of themes such as identity, isolation, and the effects of trauma. Others have criticized the novel for its unconventional structure and the use of Maori language and culture, which may be unfamiliar to some readers.
Despite these mixed reviews, The Bone People has received several prestigious awards, including the Booker Prize in 1985. The novel’s success has helped to establish Keri Hulme as a pioneering voice in New Zealand literature.
One of the reasons for the novel’s enduring popularity may be its ability to resonate with readers from different backgrounds and cultures. The characters in The Bone People are complex and multi-dimensional, and their struggles with isolation and trauma are universal themes that many readers can relate to.
Awards and Recognition
Keri Hulme’s debut novel, The Bone People, has received several awards and recognitions for its exceptional writing and storytelling. In 1985, the novel won the prestigious Booker Prize, making Hulme the first New Zealand author to receive the award. The novel was also awarded the Pegasus Prize for Literature in the same year.
The Bone People has been widely acclaimed for its unique narrative style, blending elements of Maori and European cultures, and its exploration of themes such as identity, love, and loss. The novel has been translated into several languages, including French, German, and Japanese, and has been well-received by readers and critics alike.
In addition to its literary awards, The Bone People has also been recognized for its cultural significance. Hulme was appointed as a cultural ambassador for New Zealand in 1986-88, and the novel has been included in several university curricula around the world. The novel’s impact on New Zealand literature and culture has been significant, inspiring a new generation of writers and readers.
Influence on New Zealand Literature
The Bone People by Keri Hulme is considered a groundbreaking novel in New Zealand literature. It has had a significant impact on the literary scene in the country, inspiring and influencing many writers.
One of the most notable ways in which The Bone People has influenced New Zealand literature is through its portrayal of Maori culture. The novel explores the complexities and nuances of Maori identity, challenging stereotypes and offering a more nuanced understanding of Maori culture. This has had a profound impact on other writers, inspiring them to explore similar themes in their own work.
Another way in which The Bone People has influenced New Zealand literature is through its experimental narrative structure. The novel weaves together multiple perspectives and timelines, creating a rich and complex tapestry of voices and stories. This approach has inspired other writers to experiment with narrative structure, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in literature.