The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Whale Rider
Book Review: Magical
Summary: 4 Stars
"Whale Rider" is best known as the hit indie movie, winner of the Audience Award in the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. But the basis for that film was Witi Ihimaera's magical, lore-laden novel "Whale Rider," a bittersweet story about a Maori girl and her mysterious destiny.The first great-grandchild of the Maori chief Koro Apirana is born... but a girl called Kahu, not the hoped-for boy, and soon her mother dies. Koro is upset, since only a male can carry on the line. He hopes for a destined chosen one to restore the Maori people, but his hopes are growing more and more futile. He starts teaching young boys about the old traditions, looking for the one who can "pull the sword from the stone."
Meanwhile, Kahu grows up into an inquisitive and sweet-natured eight-year-old. She loves her grandfather, but his bitterness over her not having been a boy has never really worn off. But one day, whales are found beaching themselves near the town where Kahu lives, and she hears their song. Searching for his old friend, master and rider, the oldest whale will find Kahu.
Few novels have the earnest simplicity that "Whale Rider" does. Ihimaera tackles subjects like tradition, sexism, faith, and of course the Maori culture. Not a lot of books and movies handle the Maori, who are the native people of New Zealand, and Ihimaera does an excellent job of conveying the creation myths, a handful of traditions, and the danger to it now (illustrated by Rawiri's journeys to Australia and Papua New Guinea).
Since the story is told through Kahu's biker uncle Rawiri, it takes us awhile to get to know Kahu. Similarly, the book is rather ordinary near the beginning, and the writing is too simple. But it grows in majesty, mystery and poetry as it progresses to its haunting, magical climax. Among the best parts of the book are the almost mythological sections devoted to an ancient whale who carried the Whale Rider long ago.
Kahu is a nebulous figure for much of the book, but flowers about halfway through, when Rawiri returns to New Zealand. Koro is an enigmatic character, crusty and grumpy, but is deeply concerned for his people and loves his granddaughter underneath it all. Nanny Flowers, who threatens to divorce Koro on at least a daily basis, is a wonderful character.
Sweet, beautifully written and memorable, "Whale Rider" is a memorable tale about traditions and culture, and about a little girl in white who rode a whale out to sea.
Book Review: Movie v. Book
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the book after seeing the movie, and found the book to be grittier. The book explains the myth of Paikea (Kahutia Te Rangi), the whale rider, in more detail, and explores Maori social issues in more depth. The story is also told from the perspective of someone other than Kahu (Pai).The book stirred my imagination very differently than the movie. The movie had an ethereal quality that the book doesn't have as much, but the book explores the mystery surrounding the myth in a way that the movie doesn't begin to touch upon.
This book is immensely respectful of its characters, their failings, fears, and shortcomings, and despite the fact that the book centers on a founding myth, its humanity and compassion will move you. I highly recommend this engrossing, moving read, even to adults. In terms of an appropriate audience, children under ten or eleven might be upset by some of the scenes in the book, ranging from whaling practices to the consequences of an auto accident.
Book Review: One "Whale" of a Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Author Witi Ihimaera has written a wonderfully delightful novel about a young girl's (Kahu)quest for her grandfather's love. A grandfather so deep into tradition he refuses to acknowledge her love and the new traditions of change. He passionately looks for the new whale rider, which will lead the village and his people. Often missing that the leader is right under his own house in female form. The story is told through her uncle, Rawiri ( which is a slightly different interpretation than what is in the excellent film version of this work). This is novel for all ages to read and appreciate regardless. I was pleasantly surprise at the amount of depth here in the novel and the wonderfully imaginative way the story unfolds. I can't remember when I last heard whales talk to each other, or when I laughed so hard at the all too familiar antics and love between grandmother, Nanny Flowers and grandfather, Koro Apirana which left me pleasantly nodding my head. For all of us who have ever dreamed that they were destined for more in life this is a must read."Hui e, haunmi e, taiki e" Let it be done!
Book Review: Review of The Whale Rider
Summary: 5 Stars
The conflicts of person versus society and person versus person are evident in this realistic contemporary fiction with Kahu trying to get Koro, her grandfather, to recognize her as a person worthy of love and attention. Koro represents society as well as being her grandfather. This is portrayed in a very realistic way with Kahu in tears whenever he ignores her. She grows up trying to please him in ways, such as learning tribal chants and history, which also would serve her well as a leader of her people. The narration by her uncle lends humor to Kahu's growing up with her grandparents at odds with each other over her worth to society and the family. Also multi-cultural fiction, The Whale Rider helps students understand both the Maori people in New Zealand, and other religions as the Maori religion is built into their day to day living. The supernatural element of the whale being both an ancestor and present today is believable because it adheres to the present day tribal beliefs. Told with an insider's perspective, both the uncle in the story and the author are Maori, Ihimaera uses phrases of Maori language authenticated in the glossary. There is little stereo typing in the characters with each seen as an individual in their own culture.
Book Review: Spiritual Love And Beliefs
Summary: 5 Stars
Starring: Keisha Castle- Hughes who is the young girl and main character named Pai.Rawiri Paratene who is the grandfather of Pai named Koro
Vicky Haughton who is Pa'is grandmother named Nanny Flowers
Cliff Curtis who is Pai's dad named Porourangi.
Genre: Drama
Director: Niki Caro
Critics Warning: No sex, little offensive language,
Themes: An emotional story line based on spiritual beliefs and traditions.
Go to the loo before this film as once it starts you wont want to leave.
Whale rider is a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfil her destiny.
This film is all drama with one young Maori girl dared to confront the past, change the present and determine the future.
Set in New Zealand this film is rated PG for a brief language and a momentary drug reference, This film runs for exactly 105 mins.
On the east coast of New Zealand the Whangara people believed that Paikea rode on the back of a whale and led his people to New Zealand as each new
generation a chief is born to lead his people. But then Pai, is born and struggles growing up in a beautiful small village which retains the tribes and spiritual
relationship with the sea and their warrior values. Pai is gifted with the
spiritual and leadership qualities of her ancestors but rejected by her
grandfather because she's a girl he was expecting a boy. One day
The community is forced to come together and Pais spiritual affinity with the whales and her courage finally proved that she is the true leader of her people