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Bird Child and Other Stories
Mythology and contemporary Māori life are woven together seamlessly in this spectacular collection by Aotearoa’s foremost short story writer. The titular story ‘Bird Child’ plunges you deep into Te Kore, an ancient time before time. In another, the formidable goddess Mahuika, Keeper of Fire, becomes a doting mother and friend. Later, Grace’s own childhood vividly shapes the world of the young character Mereana; and a widower’s hilariously human struggle to parent his seven daughters is told with trademark wit and crackling dialogue.Moving artfully across decades, landscapes, time and space, with tenderness and charm, Bird Child and Other Stories shows an author as adept and stimulating as ever."Grace's stories make a shining and enduring place formed of the brilliant weave of Māori oral storytelling.” - Joy HarjoFly Bird, fly Child, in every direction.Know what there is to know of everything terrestrial,Of all that has been laid out by Tāne-nui-a-Rangi.Fly high. Fly high.Know all that is celestial.Attain the uncountable stars.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
Paperback
About the author
Patricia Grace
60 books158 followersPatricia Grace is a major New Zealand novelist, short story writer and children’s writer, of Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa and Te Ati Awa descent, and is affiliated to Ngati Porou by marriage. Grace began writing early, while teaching and raising her family of seven children, and has since won many national and international awards, including the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize for fiction, the Deutz Medal for Fiction, and the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, widely considered the most prestigious literary prize after the Nobel. A deeply subtle, moving and subversive writer, in 2007 Grace received a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to literature.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 7, 2024
"The titular story ‘Bird Child’ plunges you deep into Te Kore, an ancient time before time. In another, the formidable goddess Mahuika, Keeper of Fire, becomes a doting mother and friend. Later, Grace’s own childhood vividly shapes the world of the young character Mereana; and a widower’s hilariously human struggle to parent his seven daughters is told with trademark wit and crackling dialogue".
I read each part separately and really enjoyed each part for different reasons.
Part ! pulls mythology into Maori history. Iwi (tribal) warfare has a village of people on the run. The wife of the future Chief is pregnant but loses the child in a forest where silence is essential to keep them all alive. And then the magic takes over as the life of a kea trying to bring up a family become interwoven with the spirit of the dead girl. Written in a way that pulls the reader into the improbable.
Part 2 focuses on Mereama's childhood in Wellington, Newton, when her father goes to war (WWII). The opening is especially brilliant, the description of Mereana and her mother watching out over the darkened suburb before them as her father walks down the hill to catch a tram to the freezing works. Only later do we realise it's the blackout as they follow the light of his torch. Beautifully evocative pictures of a city I love. And horrible images of casual violent racism taught to children by their parents.
Part 3 follows Watson's story, widowed with seven daughters and his determination to keep Cyps at bay and keep his daughters together. Wonderful tale of commitment, love and lots of wonderful fun. This is the New Zealand I grew up in, I recognise it so well.
There are 3 stories at the end that are very modern, that talk of lip service to Maori needs, that discuss family ties and care. The final story reads like a history of Aotearoa under Covid lockdown. The Final line is something we have all lost since the lockdowns have gone: "Listen to the birds."
An extraordinary tour de force of writing from an amazing writer. A stimulating and glorious read.
I read each part separately and really enjoyed each part for different reasons.
Part ! pulls mythology into Maori history. Iwi (tribal) warfare has a village of people on the run. The wife of the future Chief is pregnant but loses the child in a forest where silence is essential to keep them all alive. And then the magic takes over as the life of a kea trying to bring up a family become interwoven with the spirit of the dead girl. Written in a way that pulls the reader into the improbable.
Part 2 focuses on Mereama's childhood in Wellington, Newton, when her father goes to war (WWII). The opening is especially brilliant, the description of Mereana and her mother watching out over the darkened suburb before them as her father walks down the hill to catch a tram to the freezing works. Only later do we realise it's the blackout as they follow the light of his torch. Beautifully evocative pictures of a city I love. And horrible images of casual violent racism taught to children by their parents.
Part 3 follows Watson's story, widowed with seven daughters and his determination to keep Cyps at bay and keep his daughters together. Wonderful tale of commitment, love and lots of wonderful fun. This is the New Zealand I grew up in, I recognise it so well.
There are 3 stories at the end that are very modern, that talk of lip service to Maori needs, that discuss family ties and care. The final story reads like a history of Aotearoa under Covid lockdown. The Final line is something we have all lost since the lockdowns have gone: "Listen to the birds."
An extraordinary tour de force of writing from an amazing writer. A stimulating and glorious read.
April 3, 2024
The title story is gripping and reminded me of Kawai by Monty Soutar - perhaps because I haven't read much else about pre-European Aotearoa. The woman's perspective in Grace's story is the point of difference. Some of the stories are re-worked and others build on more contemporary Māori experience. Some re-tell mythical stories with delightful use of colloquialisms. This is a wonderful collection from a favourite author.
April 27, 2024
A wonderfully cohesive collection.
July 10, 2024
Excellent read! I enjoyed the variety of stories and how they were written.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews