The Whale Rider

Universally, it's a good story for people of all ages, races, genders, and cultures. The earlier we learn that, no matter our background or country of origin, we all have similar challenges, disappointments and triumphs. We are all one people; we are all related.

The conflicts of person versus society and person versus person are evident in this realistic contemporary fiction with Kahu trying to get Koro, her grandfather, to recognize her as a person worthy of love and attention. Koro represents society as well as being her grandfather. This is portrayed in a very realistic way with Kahu in tears whenever he ignores her. She grows up trying to please him in ways, such as learning tribal chants and history, which also would serve her well as a leader of her people. The narration by her uncle lends humor to Kahu's growing up with her grandparents at odds with each other over her worth to society and the family. Also multi-cultural fiction, The Whale Rider helps students understand both the Maori people in New Zealand, and other religions as the Maori religion is built into their day to day living. The supernatural element of the whale being both an ancestor and present today is believable because it adheres to the present day tribal beliefs. Told with an insider's perspective, both the uncle in the story and the author are Maori, Ihimaera uses phrases of Maori language authenticated in the glossary. There is little stereo typing in the characters with each seen as an individual in their own culture.

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 chief. The book is balanced differently with the relationship of the Maori and nature via the whales as major theme and the young great-granddaughter's position as the descendent of the first WhaleRider the secondary theme.Second, on the theme of women's supposed inferiority to men, see pg 82 where the author writes "'No, you sit down! I am a senior line to yours!' Not only that, but Mihi had then turned her back to him, bent over, lifted up her petticoats, and said, 'Anyway, here is the place where you come from!' That was Mihi's way of reminding the chief that all men are born of women."Third, in one of the very few diadactic paragraphs pg 116 "'But then,' he continued.'man assumed a cloak of arrogance and set himself up above the Gods. He even tried to defeat Death, but failed. As he grew in his arrogance, he started to drive a wedge through the original oneness of the world. In the passing of Time he divided that world into that half he could believe in and that half he could not believe in. The real and the unreal. The natural and the supernatural. The present and the past. The scientific and the fantastic. He put a barrier between both worlds, and everything on his side was called rational and everything on the other side was call irrational. Belief in our Maori Gods.' he emphasized, 'has often been considered irrational.'" I think this is the author's way of explicitly outlining his theme of the book, his desire is that no one misses the point so he introduces it via this speech. This is the take home message of the book, we'd do well to read the whole book in the light of this short speech Koro Apirana.The book, like the movie is a tear-jerker. The book would make a nice read outloud to younger kids, it's intended audience.

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 greater flavor of the Maori culture. Koro Apirana is the chief of the tribe but he is disappointed when a girl first-born child comes instead of a boy. His eldest son's first wife dies, sealing the destiny for Kahutia Te Rangi to be the only heir to the chief. Her name also, is the one of the ancestor who was the first to come to their land, and the first whale rider. Koro's wife, Nanny Flowers gets their son to name her that, but afterward everyone says she's gone too far. Kahu proves to be a strong child, who loves her grandfather even though her love is not returned. When she hears the whales calling, destiny is calling her too. Witi Ihimaera's magical tale of Kahu brings a sense of the strength of the Maori culture to her readers. There is more to the book than the movie.

Witi Ihimaera is one of those authors that at one time I was "made" to read as part of NZ High School English curriculum. I have recently discovered the joy of re-reading his work as an ex-pat Kiwi living in the US."Whale Rider" the movie has certainly made waves with it's wonderful adaptation of this beautiful work.The book is filled with images plucked from any rural Kiwi up bringing - Maori or pakeha. Witi's ability to combine Maori and English in a seamless narrative is what made this book the wonderful read it is.I highly recommend it - and look forward to more of his work being readily available in this country.

After seeing the movie I just had to read the book. It did not disappoint. In fact as powerful as the movie was I would have to say the book is better. The novel explores Pai's and her relationship with her Grandfather much more deeply. This is one of those wonderful children's books that adults can enjoy.