“Once were warriors” by Alan Duff. First published in 1990 Duff’s iconic book centres around the Heke family - Jake, Beth and their five children. Each of these characters is trapped in the experience of the disenfranchised, the unemployed, gangs, drugs and violence. Caught in this poverty trap in a run down suburb surrounded by an indifferent Pakeha society, Beth, struggles to keep her dysfunctional family together in grimly realistic circumstances.
Each member of the family handles their lot in different ways - the men drink and crime is a normal part of their life. Beth turns her abuse into a catalyst to escape, save her remaining children from harm, and rediscover the traditions of her Maori culture.
The writing is gritty and the language authentic and given the adult subject matter Once Were Warriors is only suitable for senior secondary students and adults.
Suzanne Hardy
1 comments:
The movie is amazing proud to be a nz movie! a must watch
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