It's been about 10 years since Grace wrote a novel, so I was excited to read this one. And it's one of her best. This New Zealand author has an amazing cultural heritage which she draws from and which add colour and depth to her novels.
This novel is set in the North Island of New Zealand, among an extended Maori family. Into this family, through WW2, comes a Japanese stowaway. They incorporate him into the tribe, he marries into it and becomes an integral part of the town and community.
As WW2 progresses, he is deported as an enemy alien. The story follows his wife's search for him and how she survives the era without him. She's a canny business woman who grows vegetables, buys an ailing bakery and mechanical workshop in the town and slowly turns around the fortunes of her family.
The narrative flows between the different characters as the story develops. It is engaging, we care about the characters and their fate and the richness of the Maori culture make this a great book.
I have read most of Grace's novels, and can highly recommend them. She is a unique voice and a fantastic storyteller.
