Biography
Keri Hulme, a distinguished author hailing from Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, is deeply intertwined with Maori culture, particularly through her maternal grandfather. Despite her primarily European heritage, Hulme's writing is imbued with the spirit and stories of the Maori people. This cultural backdrop enriches her literary work with a sense of myth and tradition that captivates readers worldwide.
Early Life and Cultural Influences
Growing up, Hulme experienced the contrasting worlds of her Christchurch family and her Maori relatives in Oamaru, Moeraki, and Purakanui. This upbringing fostered a profound connection to her Maori roots, which would later become a cornerstone of her literary identity. In 1965, at the age of eighteen, she moved to Motueka to work in tobacco fields, marking a significant turning point in her life. It was here she first encountered the colloquial Maori language and interacted with North Island Maori, previously a part of her knowledge only through tales. This exposure ignited her passion for storytelling, leading to the inception of a short story that would eventually evolve into her acclaimed novel, The Bone People.
The Journey to Becoming a Writer
Before dedicating herself fully to writing, Hulme undertook various jobs, including roles as a fisher and cook, which grounded her with varied life experiences. By age twenty-five, she settled in Cobden, Greymouth, and embraced writing as her vocation. In 1982, she published her first poetry collection, The Silences Between: Moeraki Conversations. This work delves into the nuances of the Maori language, celebrating its unique rhythms and the emotional depth it brings to her poetry. Hulme's affinity for language, nurtured since childhood, is evident in her ability to weave the Maori and Pakeha languages into her art.
Crafting The Bone People
Hulme's initial short story, conceived during her time in Motueka, lay dormant for several years. Eventually, she revisited and expanded it into a novel, undergoing seven drafts in the process. Despite facing rejection from multiple publishers, including those with feminist orientations who suggested changes she refused, Hulme remained steadfast to her vision. Her perseverance paid off when the Spiral Collective Number Five, a publishing group formed by Miriama Evans, Marian Evans, and Irihapeti Ramsden, decided to publish The Bone People, alongside other works by writers like Heather McPherson and Jacqueline Cecilia Sturm.
The Impact of The Bone People
The novel intricately explores the lives of Kerewin Holmes, Simon Peter, and Joe Gillaley—characters who form a complex family dynamic fraught with emotional and physical challenges. Through the harsh reality of Joe’s abusive relationship with Simon and the mystical elements that permeate their lives, Hulme paints a vivid picture of a culture that may seem exotic to many readers. Yet, it simultaneously reflects the universal struggles within dysfunctional family systems.
Acclaim and Recognition
Hulme anticipated modest local interest in her novel, but its reception far exceeded her expectations. The Bone People garnered widespread acclaim, winning the New Zealand Book Award for fiction in 1984, the Pegasus Award for Maori literature from Mobile Oil, and the renowned Booker McConnell Prize in 1985. Critics likened it to the works of Lawrence Sterne and James Joyce, praising its innovative fusion of style and substance.
Continued Literary Contributions
Following the success of her debut novel, Hulme released her second novel, Lost Possessions, in 1985. She continued to enrich the literary landscape with her collections of short stories, such as Te Kaihau/The Windeater, which resonated well with American audiences, and her second volume of poetry, Strands. Each of these works reflects her deep-seated passion for Maori culture and its linguistic melody, underscoring her identity as an artist, fisher, and Maori woman.
A Life Rooted in Heritage
Hulme's life in Okarito Private Bag, Westland, mirrors her dedication to her cultural heritage and family values. Her desire to maintain a close-knit family emphasizes the significance of her roots in her personal and professional life. Through her writing, Hulme continues to celebrate and share the rich traditions of her Maori ancestry with the world.
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