Te Kaihau : The Windeater

A volume of short stories - each a new read. It includes a prequel story to the Bone People, in a short about the origins of Simon. Hulme is such a talented writer, she can tell a story eloquently from a variety of perspectives. Here we see her write even from the perpective of a whale. Another example of her abilities to shift modes is keenly expressed in a pair of shorts in this volume, which tell of the breakdown of a relationship first from the man's perspective, then the woman's - and still make it feel like two stories. Fascinating; educational. One would never believe that she is not actually either of those characters. Hulme is a refreshingly honest, in-tune, extremely talented writer. This volume is out of print, but you can find used copies out there on web-based book exchanges. Heads up: word on the streets is that she's got a 3rd novel coming out very soon. The content is worth the work involved to find/purchase a copy.

A friend recently brought this for me in NZ - Victoria University Press (Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600 Wellington). ISBN 0 86473 019 5. Paperback. NZ$24.95.

This is a book with several stories. I have read the book about three years ago. I borrowed it from a library, but never saw the book since. The stories still haunt me though. I still dream of the king bait and thinking about the sheep makes me laugh. Though other stories like the one with the kite still scare me. The stories are beautiful and shocking and above all they really confused me (and that is a compliment :-). This book changed my view of life. I have no idea how, but the stories showed me the magic of life and the interconnectedness of all things.