Among the Cinders

Among the Cinders is the story of a boy who, after the death of his best friend tries to come to terms with both his past and his present. The story is set in Te Ika, a little town in rural New Zealand during the 1960's. In dire need to get away from the phoniness of his parents and the attitudes of his fellow people, he embarks on a journey into the wilderness together with his arche-typal grandfather. There he slowly discovers what it means to be a New Zealander, he realizes that the past is crucial to appreciate the present, which helps him to get a grip on his personal struggles. This is a nicely told story which succeeds especially in its descriptions of the New Zealand scenery and the emotions of its main protagonist Nick Flinders. It is moving and makes a very pleasant read. However, its limitations are the simplified description of people and situations viewed through Nick's eyes. Nick turns out to be the moral winner of all aspects of his experiences in the book, which you might or might not find convincing. For all those who liked Salinger's Catcher in the Rye and want at the same time venture to some more remote places, this book can certainly be recommended.