I’m going to focus on the writing part today (partly because I don’t know how to do the story justice without revealing too much), but if you ever need to see how well broken people can be inhabited and conveyed in a way that is neither overly sympathetic nor antagonistic but always deeply heartfelt, read this book. The story of a lone woman, a mute boy who seeks her out, and the boy’s adopted father, The Bone People broke my heart over and over and over with complex tales of isolation, abuse, and alcoholism. Starkly original and painful (and at times even painful to read), this book taught me more about originality and writing with your authentic voice than anything I’ve read in a long time. But late in the night when I dusted this book off and took it to bed, I had no idea what I was in for. It won the Man Booker Prize back when it was still called the Booker Prize and I was intrigued by the description. I admit I probably picked up The Bone People by Keri Hulme because I was looking to flesh out my South Pacific section.
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