Behind the tattooed face

This book was the first New Zealand historical novel to be written by a Māori, first published in 1975. It is set in the 1700’s, around 600 years after the great migration by canoe to New Zealand. Māori society flourished in the Bay of Plenty and the concepts of mana and tribal honour came to the fore. Bloody warfare, cannibalism and slavery were normal aspects of tribal life. The fictional story provides a good insight into pre-European Māori as it is based on fact and seems well researched. The ending is incredibly poignant as the tribe first encounter Europeans in the form of Captain James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour.

I really enjoyed this book as it was set near the place of my birth, Whakatane, and I learned a great deal show more more about the history of this area. It is also a great adventure and historical novel in its own right. Wonderfully told and highly recommended. show less