The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
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Book Reviews of The Whale Rider
Book Review: Whale Rider
Summary: 4 Stars
Directed by Niki CaroBased on the novel by Witi Ihimaera
Rated (PG)
Drama ... Running time: 105 minutes
Setting: Whangara New Zealand
Staring: Keisha Castle- Hughes... Pia
Rawiri Paratene... Koro
Vicky Haughton... Nanny flowers
Cliff Curtis... Porourangi
Whale Rider is a touching drama about a young Maori girl who finds and fulfils her destiny. The young girl, Paikea is rased by her grandparents in the traditional village of Whangara. Whangara is where a carving on Whitireia Meeting House commemorates the legendary Paikea, who travelled on the back of a whale. The near by island is said to be the final resting place of the whale.
Paikea is extremely inquisitive and wants to find out all she can about her ancestors and her heritage. She is extremely brave and has a spiritual connection with the sea.
Her grandfather, Koro, is the Chief of the Ngati Kanohi tribe. Koro's belief is that his first-born child, Porourangi, should become the next chief, but it becomes clear that is not to be. When Porourangi makes it clear that he does not want to become chief Koro looks towards his grandchildren. Tragically Porourangi's wife dies while giving birth to the twins and takes her son with her, leaving him with a daughter and a whole heap of heartache. Koro is disappointed that Pai, being a girl, is unable to take on the roll of chief; little does he know that this it is to be her destiny.
This movie is a heart-wrenching journey that follows Pia's determination to prove to her grandfather that she is worthy of his love and respect.
This is a magical movie and would appeal to many types of people.
The time and effort that would have gone into the making of it has made it a brilliant movie. It has been wonderfully directed and the characters were perfect for the parts they played.
Book Review: brilliant, beautiful, powerful folk tale of girl power
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this movie, so I decided to read the book. As with any book on which a brilliant and well-executed film is based, it's a challenge for the reader to fall in love with the original story. The film was very faithful, and so it wasn't difficult to love this novel as well. But there are some deficiencies. First of all, the characters seem more real and dimensional in the film than the book. This is especially true of the heroine, who seems a mystical and distant child in the book, but comes off more real through Keisha Castle-Hughes' portrayal. Second, the film is much more realistic, only slightly testing the boundaries of reality and disbelief. The book is much more fantastic, though it contains more insight into the tribe's culture. And yet, the book is utterly powerful, honestly moving, and incredibly beautiful. It's a brilliant modern folk tale of a Maori tribe threatened by the modern world to hold onto its traditions. The chief (Koro) rejects his great-granddaughter Kahu who has broken the male line of succession. Koro tries desperately to maintain his tribe, reinforce the old traditions, and keep their connection with their totem animal, the whale on which their ancestor traveled to their lands. Meanwhile, Kahu desperately seeks her great-grandfather's love, not to mention acceptance. It slowly becomes obvious that Kahu--despite her gender and great-grandfather's rejection--is deeply connected to the whales and the sea (which is actually a taboo for a female to engage in), and is the salvation of her tribe. Obviously, fate and destiny care not for gender and traditions, as this girl is apparently destined for great things. It's an incredible story of family, destiny, strength, girl power, expectations, traditions, and culture. Grade: A
Book Review: Almost as Good as Rich Man's Coffin
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're sick of the Harry Potter series, and you want to broaden your kids' horizons, this book is perfect. Transcending the gender and racial stereotypes, this book will thrill, entertain, and educate young boys and girls all at the same time. Short of overcoming the myth that everyone who looks Polynesian is from Hawaii, this book will lay out in rich detail the cultural history of New Zealand for young readers and adults alike, in an exciting thrill ride. Bringing to light and bringing together New Zealands "clean and green" image with its fascinating Maori people, this book instills young minds with the importance of preserving the Earth, living beliefs of all people, and the idea that we are all connected.For detailing Maori tradition and customs, this book ranks up there with Kenneth Gardner's debut novel, Rich Man's Coffin, which deals with a bit more adult themes including the days of cannibalism, but nonetheless focuses on the unique and beautiful spiritual rituals of the Maori.
For anyone wanting to immerse themself in the culture and beauty of a far away land, New Zealand, which seems to becoming all the rage in America these days, I recommend The Whale Rider wholeheartedly.
Book Review: Movie v. Book
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the book after seeing the movie, and found the book to be grittier. The book explains the myth of Paikea (Kahutia Te Rangi), the whale rider, in more detail, and explores Maori social issues in more depth. The story is also told from the perspective of someone other than Kahu (Pai).The book stirred my imagination very differently than the movie. The movie had an ethereal quality that the book doesn't have as much, but the book explores the mystery surrounding the myth in a way that the movie doesn't begin to touch upon.
This book is immensely respectful of its characters, their failings, fears, and shortcomings, and despite the fact that the book centers on a founding myth, its humanity and compassion will move you. I highly recommend this engrossing, moving read, even to adults. In terms of an appropriate audience, children under ten or eleven might be upset by some of the scenes in the book, ranging from whaling practices to the consequences of an auto accident.
Book Review: To touch magic
Summary: 4 Stars
Told by her uncle Rawiri, "The Whale Rider" tells the story of Kahu, a young girl in New Zealand struggling to find her place in her family and community. She craves the love of her great-grandfather, but he's entirely focused on the future of their tribe who don't have an elder male heir to inherit the chief's title. There's only Kahu, and her great-grandfather doesn't see the use of a girl. Kahu is strong and determined, and her destiny as the fabled whale rider is secure due to her ability to communicate with whales, but only if her tribe notice in time. This is a beautiful story about the struggles with tradition, about magic versus reality, about the status of our modern world with its racism and sad ecology.