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The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke

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The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke

By: Tina Makereti
Narrated by: Toby Webster
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About this listen

The hour is late. The candle is low. Tomorrow I will see whether it is my friends or a ship homewards I meet. But I must finish my story for you first. My future, my descendant, my mokopuna.

So begins the tale of James Pōneke - orphaned son of a chief, ardent student of English, wide-eyed survivor.

All the world’s a show when you’re a living exhibit. But anything can happen to a young New Zealander - a boy between worlds, having lost his family and tribe - on the savage streets of Victorian London.

When James meets the man with laughing dark eyes and the woman who dresses as a man, he begins to discover who people really are beneath their many guises. Although London is everything James most desires, this new world is more dark and dazzling than he could have imagined....

©2018 Tina Makereti (P)2019 Aurora Audio Books Historical Fiction Fiction

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Profile Image for Siobhan

He ataahua

Makereti captures moments of the harshness of Colonial narratives, holding a mirror to the rankness of English civility, and breathes life into Māoritanga through showcasing our wit and ability to adapt. Hoi ana, he takatāpui ahau, therefore having a tūpuna takatāpui Māori as the protagonist was overwhelmingly emotional, and I am so grateful for Makereti for inspiring us to tell our own stories. I will definitely be listening again.

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bloody good

well done Tina. I loved this book. the writing style is amazing. I really felt like I was in the bush in nz. and really think you got the essence of life in the 1850's.

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