Baby No-eyes by Patricia Grace

Patricia Grace is arguably one of the best authors New Zealand has ever seen. I first read a short story by her in high school for NCEA called "Flower Girls" which slowly but surely exposed a dark side to a family, written between the lines. This novel holds a breadth of knowledge encapsulated in the viewpoints of four of the characters.

Gran Kura, the oldest character who acts as a grandmother tells her story throughout the pages starting from a childhood attending a school where speaking Maori was banned even where it was the only language a child knew properly. Her stories from childhood to adulthood and experiencing continuing disregard by government authorities, act as a poignant backdrop to the grievances that are exposed and that follow throughout the book. As an adult, she become a Maori language activist, seeking to never speak English again.

Tawera, the great-grandson of Gran Kura is perhaps the most interesting character in the book, his older sister died before she was even born and her eyes taken out for studies by the hospital (of course without the permission of family). Tawera experiences a special bond with his sister throughout his childhood acting as her eyes which were stolen and never replaced. His childhood experiences are all coloured by her voice telling him to include her or to tell her what something looks like. To me, this story brought up the initial maltreatment of the first baby's death by the hospital and her spirit has stayed in the womb and attaches on to Tawera when he is born.

Paania, Tawera's mother loses her abusive husband in the same car accident that kills her first child. Her story is highlighted through the pages, firstly fighting against a husband who doesn't seem to care; secondly dealing with the loss of her first child; thirdly experiencing discrimination in her place of work and also watching Tawera grow up. Her role by the end of the book is furthered when she begins to address the grievances that her mother in law (Kura) has told her all about.

Mahaki is a lawyer working in a community office. After the council tries to sell the local iwi some land after having stolen it from them in the first place, he spearheads an attempt at peaceful protest against the council who will not accept their argument. This battle represents all the battles because of colour exposed throughout the book.

This book not only addresses characters in a phenomenal way but also shows the foundations of the Maori grievances that still exist until this day. Especially the anecdotes by Gran Kura show how a colonised race can lose out. You should read this book.