Book Review - Whale Rider
Courtesy of Raincoast Author: Witi Ihimaera
Books may not often make a huge impact on ya. They're usually things you are forced to read for class and you end up dreading every sentence. Every once and a while you might get wrapped up in a certain story, you might even suggest it to a friend. But how often does a book change your life? It would take some pretty powerful words to make something like that happen - but those are exactly the kind of words that make up Whale Rider.
Whale Rider - Meeting Destiny
Whale Rider is a
magical tale of survival, stubbornness and
destiny. The people of Whangera are faced with
a challenge. Koro Apirana, the
Maori tribe's Chief is aging and in need of a
male heir to learn the
traditions of their people and take his place as Chief. But then, his first-born
great-grandchild turns out to be a girl. And the search for
a boy from another family begins. Koro cannot and will not accept young Kahu as his
successor, but her fate has already been decided - whether Koro realizes it or not.
Whale Rider - Hang on Tight
You are in for a bit of an
emotional rollercoaster with Whale Rider. As you follow
Kahu and her family, you'll soon realize that they're not that different from you and your family. They
struggle, fight, laugh, cry and have no idea how to make things
perfect. Whale Rider is set on the East Coast of
New Zealand and is so descriptive you'll be able to feel the
ocean spray and hear the cry of the
whales, right there in your living room. Kahu's journey will become your
journey for a short time and it will be the most
amazing experience - one you most certainly cannot turn down.
Whale Rider - A Cultural Experience
Since Whale Rider is set in
New Zealand and the story is about a Maori tribe, a lot of the words used are
traditional Maori words, making it a little
tricky to follow along. But don't let that stop you from jumping in with
both feet into this amazing story - there's a
nifty glossary at the back that'll help you through all the
tough stuff!
Whale Rider - Bottom Line
This is most definitely one of the most
amazing books you will read in a really long time. Not only will you walk away feeling a little
more cultured and
inspired after reading
Whale Rider, you won't have to give up a lot of time to do it. If you've been lucky enough to catch the
movie version of Whale Rider you will notice quite a few differences, but you'll still be able to enjoy this very
unique tale.
Whale Rider Rating:



Related Stories:
Book Review - Caught by the Sea
Book Review - The Lightkeeper's Daughter
Book Review - Quiver
More Great Reads to Keep You Busy!
Read more: Book Shelf