
The Bone People is something of a joke in New Zealand as it is widely acknowledged as being a famous novel no one reads, because of its supposedly incomprehensible prose style. It is ultimately a worthwhile read to anyone who likes a challenge. Hulme spent many years promising a follow-up novel; unfortunately, it was not to be, as she died in 2021.
Tropes in this novel:
- Author Avatar: Kerewin Holmes is a clear one for Keri Hulme. Kerewin is a reclusive artist with artist's block who lives in the South Island of New Zealand. Keri Hulme is a reclusive writer with writer's block who lives in the South Island.
- Bilingual Bonus: the book is full of te reo Maori, only some of which is translated in the appendix.
- Break the Cutie: Simon. By the end he's suffered permenant brain damage as a result of the abuse.
- Cynicism Catalyst: Joe's backstory. His wife and son died, which supposedly justifies his abusive behaviour.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: Kerewin after becoming friends with Joe and Simon.
- Died Happily Ever After: One possible interpretation of the ending.
- Easily Forgiven: Simon forgives Joe for beating him into a coma.
- Food Porn: The author is clearly a foodie and New Zealand cuisine such as oysters and muttonbird feature prominently.
- Hermit Guru: The old man Joe meets after his suicide attempt.
- I Know Karate: Kerewin is an Aikido master.
- Magic Realism the book gets this way at the end. Maori spirituality is a big theme.
- Mysterious Waif: Simon is a mute orphan who was literally washed in from the sea.
- What Have I Done: Joe.
- Orphan's Plot Trinket: Simon's expensive rosary seems to be this, but subverted in it never comes to anything.
- Pædo Hunt: Binny Daniels.
- Redemption Quest: Joe goes on one after nearly killing Simon.
- Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness: Kerewin's dialogue is like this at times.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Kerewin hates hugging and kissing and tends to be a loner. She does care about her estranged family deeply, though, and comes to care about Joe and Simon as well.
- The Voiceless: Simon.