Once Were Warriors

I'm the author of AKA DOCTOR. Alan Duff's writing of this book and the sequel, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, grabbed me by the shirt collar with both fists. Alan opened my eyes to do my own research of the Maori culture. I have friends in Nelson, New Zealand who helped in this research. Alan hits close to home, with this riveting insight of the Maori culture. A violent, hard hitting story of world magnitude. My hidden emotions were brought to the surface by the movie. A must see.

The style of writing is a little difficult in the beginning but anyone who sticks with it for a dozen pages or so will find it becomes easier to comprehend and the resulting insight into the minds of the characters is well worth the effort. Jake and Beth will make you angry and make you cry. Your heart will break for Grace. I became acquainted with Mr. Duff's works four years ago after a visit to New Zealand when I saw the movie based on this book. I then saw the just-released sequel "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" while in Australia the summer of 1999. Jake Heke and his family kept returning to my mind over and over (The compelling performance of Temuera Morrison undoubtedly had something to do with this.) I read both books, thinking that would help bring some closure to my fascination with the subject. I now understand the characters, the country and the social situation much better but find I am still haunted by this story of a man's journey to maturity. Jake isn't a hero in the classical sense but there is enlightenment in his journey and hope in the end. The strengthening Beth experiences by returning to her cultural roots holds a lesson for all of us and perhaps Americans most of all. Anyone who is interested in the problems of integrating cultures and the long-term effects of European colonialism on indigenous peoples should read this novel for its insight into the psyche of a disinherited, disenfranchised people.

Great story. Enjoyed the style. It held me. The movement of the words. Through the eyes narration. Perhaps mistakenly considered modernistic, but I thought rather that it was an extension of the tatau lines which are ancestral. The story itself was universal, and I have heard this from Native friends in the Americas as well. Ia manuia!

I loved this book. The story and style of writing carried me away. The movie is also amazing.

This book is quite possibly the best book I have ever read in my life. Alan Duff's understanding of the Maori people (possibly from the fact he is Maori himself) is quite phenomenal. His ability to portray all the characters, especially Beth Heke, with such life and passion is just amazing. I really felt I WAS there in the government house where they lived, instead of thousands of miles away. READ IT! You will not regret it! See the movie also.