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The Whale Rider
 
 
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The Whale Rider (Paperback)

by Witi Ihimaera (Author) "The Valde's Peninsula, Patagonia. Te Whiti Te Ra. the nursery, the cetacean crib ..." (more)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A poetic blend of reality and myth provides a riveting tale of adventure and passion. An ancient whale ridden by a mystical man rises from the sea, the rider throwing spears that blossom like seeds into gifts of nature. One last spear "-flew across a thousand years. When it hit the earth, it did not change but waited for another hundred and fifty years to pass until it was needed." It sprouts when Kahu, a girl child, is born to the eldest grandson of the chief of the Maori in Whangara, New Zealand. Koro Apirana is disgusted; he needs a male child to continue the line of descent in the tribe. The years that follow further harden his heart toward his great-granddaughter in spite of the bottomless love and respect she showers upon him. The child's great-grandmother, the irreverent Nanny Flowers, proves to be the strength of this family; she nurtures the girl whom she knows holds the key to the future. The complex mixture of archetypal characters and cultural troubles make this novel appropriate for mature readers. Overt and sometimes violent racism is encountered and the tragic and bloody death of hundreds of beached whales may disturb younger readers. This story, originally published in New Zealand in 1987, is the basis of the recently released film by the same name. It's a tale rich in intense drama and sociological and cultural information. A Maori glossary is appended.
Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From AudioFile

The book behind the award-winning movie opens with the tale of the original whale rider, immersing the listener in the sweep of Maori culture at the heart of this remarkable story. The new young whale rider takes her rightful name, Kahu. The girl-child's story is told by her uncle Rawiri: her breaking of the male chain of descendants, her rejection by her great-grandfather, her role in saving her people, and her extraordinary ride on the old bull whale. New Zealander Jay Laga'aia effortlessly navigates the Maori names, facilitating the listener's entrance into another culture. His pacing is confident, and his inflections, though sometimes a bit comical for the women, allow for easy differentiation among characters. Laga'aia's narration acts as a guide as the story's characters move from traditional beliefs to new awareness. The audio is instrumental in proving that even with such a wonderful movie, the book is better. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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The Valde's Peninsula, Patagonia. Te Whiti Te Ra. the nursery, the cetacean crib. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
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4 star:
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3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, magical, ..., Jul 14 2004
I didn't know about the incredible Maori author Witi Ihimaera until I saw the movie. After seeing it, I had to read the book. Don't expect it to be just like the movie, but I highly recommend both the book and the movie. The basic question is can a girl be a Maori leader? I really enjoyed learning more about Maori traditions and beliefs as well as the wisdom of the elder characters. For example, I thought the custom of burying the birth cord was fascinating.

The book had additional levels of folklore and mythology. I don't want to get into details as not to spoil the story, but I have a few general comments. I especially found the mother wise in naming the child and the play or power play between man and woman is a recurring theme. Karen Woodworth-Roman

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5.0 out of 5 stars One "Whale" of a Novel, May 6 2004
By Michael S. Waren "schoeder" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Author Witi Ihimaera has written a wonderfully delightful novel about a young girl's (Kahu)quest for her grandfather's love. A grandfather so deep into tradition he refuses to acknowledge her love and the new traditions of change. He passionately looks for the new whale rider, which will lead the village and his people. Often missing that the leader is right under his own house in female form. The story is told through her uncle, Rawiri ( which is a slightly different interpretation than what is in the excellent film version of this work). This is novel for all ages to read and appreciate regardless. I was pleasantly surprise at the amount of depth here in the novel and the wonderfully imaginative way the story unfolds. I can't remember when I last heard whales talk to each other, or when I laughed so hard at the all too familiar antics and love between grandmother, Nanny Flowers and grandfather, Koro Apirana which left me pleasantly nodding my head. For all of us who have ever dreamed that they were destined for more in life this is a must read.
"Hui e, haunmi e, taiki e" Let it be done!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love, Feb 9 2004
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Whale Rider (Hardcover)
Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention, but he is focused on his duties as chief of the Maori in New Zealand and has little time for her. She stands to be the heir of her kingdom, as there is no male to take over, and struggles to honor herself in the face of her tribe and grandfather despite her sex in this moving story of achievement.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Magical
"Whale Rider" is best known as the hit indie movie, winner of the Audience Award in the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Read more
Published on Jan 27 2004 by E. A Solinas

3.0 out of 5 stars I found this slightly confussing...
This book has a great beginning, full of description that will take your breath away, but tends to die off as you get farther into it. I also found the story quite dull. Read more
Published on Jan 2 2004 by bubbles21791

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, educational and inspiring story
Not only was this book well written, it was educational and inspiring. I learned quite a bit about Maori culture from this novel. Read more
Published on Dec 3 2003 by Benjamin

5.0 out of 5 stars The Maori and Whales
First, go watch the movie first, it's theme is the relationship of the old chief and his granddaughter, how she struggles to earn his love as he fights time to find the new young... Read more
Published on Nov 6 2003 by R. M. Williams

4.0 out of 5 stars To touch magic
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. Read more
Published on Sep 24 2003 by blissengine

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing--don't buy it!
If you're expecting something much better than the movie (as books usually are)--forget it! The person that decided that this book would make a good movie must have had an... Read more
Published on Sep 24 2003 by Michael Chang

2.0 out of 5 stars Good story, bad writing
I read this book expecting it to be wonderful because of all the wonderful reviews the movie had gotten and how good the book looked. However, I was very disappointed. Read more
Published on Sep 14 2003 by catie

5.0 out of 5 stars a modern legend
It feels a little silly to review a work of high literature, but I think I have a few helpful things to say about Witi Ihimaera's The Whale Rider. Read more
Published on Aug 29 2003 by Nom de Guerre

5.0 out of 5 stars The Whale Rider
This is a beautiful work that fills one with the chills of destiny. I decided to read the book after seeing the movie, and though the movie was very good, the book gives a... Read more
Published on Aug 9 2003 by Kathy Smoot

4.0 out of 5 stars The modern fairy tale
Went to see this movie in town last night and i was waiting for it since my kiwi friend from Auckland mentionned it. Read more
Published on Aug 6 2003 by leprechaunee

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