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New Zealand Wars #3
The House of Strife
The House of Strife is the third in a trilogy about the wars following Britain's colonisation of New Zealand. Writing in London in the 1830s, Ferdinand Wildblood plagiarises a manuscript submitted to his publishing house, and begins a career writing cheap and successful novels about New Zealand, and country to which he has never been.
When the original writer of the manuscript threatens him, the timid Wildblood flees, with apt literary convenience, to New Zealand. The land he enters is of course more alarming and complicated than anything he has ever written about, and so begins his true adventure.
When the original writer of the manuscript threatens him, the timid Wildblood flees, with apt literary convenience, to New Zealand. The land he enters is of course more alarming and complicated than anything he has ever written about, and so begins his true adventure.
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
3 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Maurice Shadbolt
39 books21 followersMaurice Shadbolt was a major New Zealand fiction writer and playwright. He published numerous novels and collections of short fiction, as well as novellas, non-fiction, and a play. His writing often drew on his own family history. Shadbolt won several fellowships and almost every major literary prize, some more than once. He was capped Honorary Doctor of Literature by the University of Auckland in 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 28, 2007
this review first appeared on [http://intraspace.blogspot.com]
this one came from the op-shop - anna was on her usual buying spree at the sallies, and i rescued this from the pile.
having studying nz lit at university i was well aware of maurice shadbolt - i probably read a short story by him or something. 'the house of strife' is part of a trilogy of historical novels based in nz around the time of the new zealand wars, in which european power sort to impose its will on maori tribes that didn't like the idea of colonial government.
i have to say i enjoyed this book immensely - it had all the hallmarks of a cracking good story without sacrificing an intelligent approach.
the narrator of the story is an englishman named wildblood who has made a name for himself writing pulp fiction about 'maoriland' from the safety of a london apartment. when a ruffian turns up with claims of plagiarism and threatening to kill him, wildblood flees on the next ship to the antipodes and finds himself experiencing new zealand firsthand - arriving just prior to one of the first engagements of the new zealand wars.
the new zealand he enters is more alarming and complicated than anything he has ever written about. and thus begins the story...
highly recommended.
this one came from the op-shop - anna was on her usual buying spree at the sallies, and i rescued this from the pile.
having studying nz lit at university i was well aware of maurice shadbolt - i probably read a short story by him or something. 'the house of strife' is part of a trilogy of historical novels based in nz around the time of the new zealand wars, in which european power sort to impose its will on maori tribes that didn't like the idea of colonial government.
i have to say i enjoyed this book immensely - it had all the hallmarks of a cracking good story without sacrificing an intelligent approach.
the narrator of the story is an englishman named wildblood who has made a name for himself writing pulp fiction about 'maoriland' from the safety of a london apartment. when a ruffian turns up with claims of plagiarism and threatening to kill him, wildblood flees on the next ship to the antipodes and finds himself experiencing new zealand firsthand - arriving just prior to one of the first engagements of the new zealand wars.
the new zealand he enters is more alarming and complicated than anything he has ever written about. and thus begins the story...
highly recommended.
August 10, 2020
I have heard this book called 'half Colonial war-epic, half comedy of manners', and I cannot think of a better summary; one which Shadbolt executes marvelously.
The conceit that starts off the narrative is that the writer must flee to New Zealand to escape a wrathful former clients whose ideas he semi plagarised into a successful series of novels. This setup is surprisingly energetic and conveys the reader rather seamlessly through the trials and soiled expectations of the literary man with the reality of his fictional worlds.
Every character is wonderfully written, the protagonist is himself split between being well-meaning and devout, and his alter-ego as a literary cad. Hone Heke, a mythologised character in New Zealand is given wonderful treatment wherein he is not over-sold, but given a mellow narrative of a tragic figure born out of time and into a role ill-suited for him regardless of his aspirations.
Shadbolt shows both sides of the Flagstaff War in a very human light; the British are pragmatic and chivalrous but ill-led, and the Maori similarly honourable, but fickle and likewise prone to ill leadership. No one side can be seen to be the superior in a war the ends in exhaustion rather than a triumph.
Shadbolt's writing is beautifully colourful and affects classic airs without becoming too difficult to approach.
A wonderful novel, surprisingly easy reading. Recommended.
The conceit that starts off the narrative is that the writer must flee to New Zealand to escape a wrathful former clients whose ideas he semi plagarised into a successful series of novels. This setup is surprisingly energetic and conveys the reader rather seamlessly through the trials and soiled expectations of the literary man with the reality of his fictional worlds.
Every character is wonderfully written, the protagonist is himself split between being well-meaning and devout, and his alter-ego as a literary cad. Hone Heke, a mythologised character in New Zealand is given wonderful treatment wherein he is not over-sold, but given a mellow narrative of a tragic figure born out of time and into a role ill-suited for him regardless of his aspirations.
Shadbolt shows both sides of the Flagstaff War in a very human light; the British are pragmatic and chivalrous but ill-led, and the Maori similarly honourable, but fickle and likewise prone to ill leadership. No one side can be seen to be the superior in a war the ends in exhaustion rather than a triumph.
Shadbolt's writing is beautifully colourful and affects classic airs without becoming too difficult to approach.
A wonderful novel, surprisingly easy reading. Recommended.
October 3, 2014
Four & a half stars
After feeling somewhat tepid about The Luminaries I'm glad to be able to recommend this NZ Victorian pastiche (love that word!) novel.
The hero reminds me of Flashman & the novel is very witty & fast moving. If I was confused sometimes- it was the NZ and The Land Wars! I think everyone at the time was too!
After feeling somewhat tepid about The Luminaries I'm glad to be able to recommend this NZ Victorian pastiche (love that word!) novel.
The hero reminds me of Flashman & the novel is very witty & fast moving. If I was confused sometimes- it was the NZ and The Land Wars! I think everyone at the time was too!
December 28, 2022
Of the 3 in this trilogy I knew this best already. It was ok but I’d rank it 3rd of the 3. Possibly the style of telling had become routine - the Pakeha story teller reluctantly involved, his Maori mistress as an aside. The helpful Maori warrior (Moses this time). But this time the nemesis was less interesting. Maybe having both Kawiti and Heke as main opposition meant it was a struggle to make either as interesting as they could have been.
February 24, 2019
Five for the whole trilogy rather than just this book. Amazing stuff, amazingly underrated writer, esp from an NZ perspective.
February 25, 2015
A moderately talented (if plagiaristic) British editor of serial stories bets his employers that he can write a better story than the one they have given him to edit. He "re-writes" the story to huge acclaim and follows that up with several additional stories. All these stories are set in New Zealand and after some years, the writer finds himself at a creative standstill. He determines that he needs to travel to New Zealand for inspiration. Once there, he is plunged into the thick of the Land Wars. [House of Strife] is a rollicking adventure full of romance and battle and honorable soldiers and clever and honorable Maori. It is also a wry commentary on the British military system - one which allowed wealthy men to buy positions of leadership and advancement regardless of their competency. The writing is clever and witty, but sometimes it is too clever for its own good. Overall, I enjoyed it, I am undecided about finishing the trilogy. *Note that this is the third book in the trilogy, but first in chronological order.
Here's a quote that illustrates the military leadership that Shadbolt is criticizing:
'With respect, sir, so modest a ration does not provide for contingencies.'
'Contingencies, Major Bridge?'
'Delays, sir. Difficulties.'
'Which you forsee?'
'Not necessarily, sir.'
'Good,' Hume grunted.
'Nevertheless, sir, I am trying to make the point that this is New Zealand. This is the first inland march Britons have made.'
'And you are thinking of your men.'
'That might be said, sir.'
'By all means think of them. You are under no obligation, however, to voice your thoughts on the subject.'
'Yes, sir.' Cyprian said.'
'There will be no delays,' Hume disclosed. 'There will be no difficulties.'
'No, sir,' Cyprian said contritely.
'Let me enlighten you on matters of morale, Major Bridge. Were we to travel with foodstuff in greater quantity, men might begin to suspect that there is more to this war than they supposed; that there are hardships ahead, and their commanders dishonest. We must not allow them to entertain such notions, Major Bridge. We must not allow them vexation. We are here to make short work of John Heke and anyone who undermines our enterprise may face a court martial. Are we understood?'
Here's a quote that illustrates the military leadership that Shadbolt is criticizing:
'With respect, sir, so modest a ration does not provide for contingencies.'
'Contingencies, Major Bridge?'
'Delays, sir. Difficulties.'
'Which you forsee?'
'Not necessarily, sir.'
'Good,' Hume grunted.
'Nevertheless, sir, I am trying to make the point that this is New Zealand. This is the first inland march Britons have made.'
'And you are thinking of your men.'
'That might be said, sir.'
'By all means think of them. You are under no obligation, however, to voice your thoughts on the subject.'
'Yes, sir.' Cyprian said.'
'There will be no delays,' Hume disclosed. 'There will be no difficulties.'
'No, sir,' Cyprian said contritely.
'Let me enlighten you on matters of morale, Major Bridge. Were we to travel with foodstuff in greater quantity, men might begin to suspect that there is more to this war than they supposed; that there are hardships ahead, and their commanders dishonest. We must not allow them to entertain such notions, Major Bridge. We must not allow them vexation. We are here to make short work of John Heke and anyone who undermines our enterprise may face a court martial. Are we understood?'
February 20, 2021
Review/ travel diary
One of the more interesting aspects was how shadbolt portraits Te Ruki Kawiti - The Duke - as the true hero. Hone Heke is conflicted, and certainly not the warrior that The Duke is.
Kawiti built the Ohaeawai Pā, Less famous today than his other Pā Ruapekapeka. Ohaeawai is portrayed as a more significant battle than Ruapekapeka. Shadbolt really milks the incompetence of the British army, the rings the had run around them.
Really enjoyed reading this while in northland. It gave so much extra colour to the trip.
Coincidentally drove past Ruapekapeka the day before the 175 year anniversary commemorations. Got up and dawn and drove back down from Piahea.
Walking around Kororareka/Russell, seeing signs mentioning Nene, heke and other characters was interesting. The new waitangi museum was fantastic. Kawhiti gets less of a mention. Maybe one day his time will come.
The main character was a bit annoying. Ferdinand Wildblood. The love interest seemed forced.
Kawhiti.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Ru...
One of the more interesting aspects was how shadbolt portraits Te Ruki Kawiti - The Duke - as the true hero. Hone Heke is conflicted, and certainly not the warrior that The Duke is.
Kawiti built the Ohaeawai Pā, Less famous today than his other Pā Ruapekapeka. Ohaeawai is portrayed as a more significant battle than Ruapekapeka. Shadbolt really milks the incompetence of the British army, the rings the had run around them.
Really enjoyed reading this while in northland. It gave so much extra colour to the trip.
Coincidentally drove past Ruapekapeka the day before the 175 year anniversary commemorations. Got up and dawn and drove back down from Piahea.
Walking around Kororareka/Russell, seeing signs mentioning Nene, heke and other characters was interesting. The new waitangi museum was fantastic. Kawhiti gets less of a mention. Maybe one day his time will come.
The main character was a bit annoying. Ferdinand Wildblood. The love interest seemed forced.
Kawhiti.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Ru...
June 6, 2011
The House of Strife is the final in Shadbolt's Maori War trilogy (although it is set first). It is strikingly similar to the other that I have read, The Season of the Jew, with its engmatic Maori warrior-chief, its blundering English military leader and its compromised and reluctantly heroic English narrator.
The style is swashbuckling and adventurous, although the charcters themelves are not necessarily so. The complexity of warfare, particularly mixed with religion, is portrayed revealingly. Of interest is the portrayal of Maori as more sporting and gentlemanly than the English, but also more animal (e.g. cannibalism).
Despite this, it's actually quite funy at times, and Shadbolt's intellectual dialogue clashes deliciously with the savage landscape and its modestly educated protaganists.
Overall: good. Although I found some of the non-war plot themes towards the end unsatisfying.
For a film of a generic Shadbolt story - try Utu by Geoff Murphy - released three years before the first of the Shadbolt trilogy.
The style is swashbuckling and adventurous, although the charcters themelves are not necessarily so. The complexity of warfare, particularly mixed with religion, is portrayed revealingly. Of interest is the portrayal of Maori as more sporting and gentlemanly than the English, but also more animal (e.g. cannibalism).
Despite this, it's actually quite funy at times, and Shadbolt's intellectual dialogue clashes deliciously with the savage landscape and its modestly educated protaganists.
Overall: good. Although I found some of the non-war plot themes towards the end unsatisfying.
For a film of a generic Shadbolt story - try Utu by Geoff Murphy - released three years before the first of the Shadbolt trilogy.
March 29, 2017
I probably know a little more than I did about Hongi Heke and his need to fell the flagpole, but probably not a heck of a lot more about the war that followed since reading this book. However while at times this read like history (but with much more humour) it is fiction and Shadbolt's point was that the people involved really had no clue as to what was going on either.
I was captivated from the first page with the description of Ferdinand's meeting with "John" Heke and found the whole tale a rollicking good read. The round up at the end, and learning that "Princess" Angela had run off with a French nobleman was fun, the meeting with the earlier nemesis, come to carry him off to once again see Heke, a little disappointing, but the whole NZ story was wonderful. Ferdinand/Henry and his friends Moses, and the military men were a great in road to a rather complicated time in history. I now must turn to Google and find out a little more about the way things really happened.
I was captivated from the first page with the description of Ferdinand's meeting with "John" Heke and found the whole tale a rollicking good read. The round up at the end, and learning that "Princess" Angela had run off with a French nobleman was fun, the meeting with the earlier nemesis, come to carry him off to once again see Heke, a little disappointing, but the whole NZ story was wonderful. Ferdinand/Henry and his friends Moses, and the military men were a great in road to a rather complicated time in history. I now must turn to Google and find out a little more about the way things really happened.
January 19, 2012
The first of the NZ Wars trilogy tells the story of Hone Heke's war in the Bay of Islands, as narrated by a somewhat unreliable English writer of penny dreadfuls. Shadbolt succeeds in getting a Victorian tone of language in the prose, but fails in having the Maori characters a very much modern tone to them. Not as rollicking as Cornwell, but more literate. Rated PG for moderate battle violence and mature themes. 3.5/5
October 20, 2014
I possibly preferred this one to 'Season of the Jew', but I still find Shadbolt's writing style a bit slow at times. I think he could have developed the characters considerably more and added a lot more intensity to the conflict scenes.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews