Twenty years seemed about right to me.ĭid this story have a big emotional impact on you? Did you appreciate it (enjoy doesn't seem the right word here)? This book left me bruised & I'd love to hear what you thought of it. Have you read the book? Or have you even seen the movie? If you've seen the film & appreciated it then the book is well worth your time (though you might want to take some time to recover between the two). It's kind of a 'The Color Purple' but set in New Zealand in the 1980s. There are some huge gut punches in the book and the blows leave their mark on the reader. It's definitely not a book for the “faint hearted”. If you're having a bad week, this is not the time to read this book, unless you're trying to shock yourself out of it. If you need a book that addresses the theme of identity, this would be a go to – as long as you're not too squeamish. (novel) Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Rena Owen. Writing Credits (in alphabetical order) Riwia Brown Alan Duff.

See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro. Beth's beauty has been scarred by broken dreams. Once Were Warriors (1994) Full Cast & Crew. Jake, a complex man with a rascal's charm, is weighted down by a quick temper, alcoholism, and an evil streak of male entitlement. I aread the audio version, which was beautifully narrated by Jay Laga'aia. In a poor suburb of Auckland, Jake and Beth Heke live a life defined by drunken parties, unstable friendships, and confrontations with authorities. The poverty and the violence are unrelenting. Their six kids are exposed to lives of neglect, drugs, crime & gangs. Dad (Jake “The Muss” Heke) is an alcoholic who regularly & brutally beats his wife (Beth) and anyone else who looks at him wrong. It's about a Maori family who live from one benefit payday to the next. Once Were Warriors by Alan Duff is set in New Zealand. I wanted to know whether the movie was true to the original story & whether the book was as confronting as the film was 20 years ago. I've not seen a movie since that has had the same impact. I saw the film when it came out in 1994 and came out of the theatre feeling shellshocked. Twenty years after seeing the film I decided to read the book. Description Alan Duffs groundbreaking first novel is one of the most talked about books ever published in New Zealand and now the basis of a major New Zealand film.

Once were warriors alan duff