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The Space Between
A gripping historical novel set amidst the New Zealand Wars in 1860.
How do you choose between two sides, when you don’t belong on either?
Frances is an unmarried Londoner newly landed in colonial Aotearoa at the dawn of the First Taranaki War. Once well-regarded, her family’s impressive fall from grace sees them seeking their fortune in a raw, new country and struggling to learn the strange etiquette of settler life.
When Frances comes face-to-face with Henry White, the man who mysteriously broke her heart a decade earlier, he’s standing outside Thorpe’s General Store with a sack of flour in his arms. Flabbergasted, she is determined to find out why he ended their relationship.
Henry is married now, to the proud and hardy Matāria. Humiliated by her staunch sister Atarangi because of her controversial marriage and their painful past, Matāria lives at the edges of her papakainga. With conflict swelling between her iwi and English settlers, Matāria fears for the lives of her husband and their young twins.
When fighting breaks out, Frances and Matāria find their lives intersecting in surprising, and catastrophic, ways. Each woman must confront her past as she struggles to survive the present, both questioning whether they’ll ever belong, or if they’re doomed to exist in the uncomfortable space between.
This transformative and gripping debut novel by Lauren Keenan (Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki) is a story of the power of hope when everything else feels beyond your control, the unbreakable bonds of whenua and family, and the discovery of love in the least likely of places.
How do you choose between two sides, when you don’t belong on either?
Frances is an unmarried Londoner newly landed in colonial Aotearoa at the dawn of the First Taranaki War. Once well-regarded, her family’s impressive fall from grace sees them seeking their fortune in a raw, new country and struggling to learn the strange etiquette of settler life.
When Frances comes face-to-face with Henry White, the man who mysteriously broke her heart a decade earlier, he’s standing outside Thorpe’s General Store with a sack of flour in his arms. Flabbergasted, she is determined to find out why he ended their relationship.
Henry is married now, to the proud and hardy Matāria. Humiliated by her staunch sister Atarangi because of her controversial marriage and their painful past, Matāria lives at the edges of her papakainga. With conflict swelling between her iwi and English settlers, Matāria fears for the lives of her husband and their young twins.
When fighting breaks out, Frances and Matāria find their lives intersecting in surprising, and catastrophic, ways. Each woman must confront her past as she struggles to survive the present, both questioning whether they’ll ever belong, or if they’re doomed to exist in the uncomfortable space between.
This transformative and gripping debut novel by Lauren Keenan (Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki) is a story of the power of hope when everything else feels beyond your control, the unbreakable bonds of whenua and family, and the discovery of love in the least likely of places.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2024
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385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 4, 2024
'The land and the ocean around Ngāmotu were a constant reminder of how change and sameness intertwine'.
'The Space Between' personalises the increasing clash of Māori and settlers' cultures through the lives of Matāria and Frances. Frances, an English immigrant from a once well-to-do family, struggles to find her place among the recently settled colony where settlers from varying backgrounds make new lives amidst those who have insisted upon importing England's class system with them. Whereas Matāria, once kidnapped and enslaved by the Waikato, escaped, only to discover she is hardly accepted back home, with her English husband - a home that was, and still should be an integral part of her. The simmering tensions of 1860, in New Plymouth, pull that dichotomy taut. Frances and Matāri need to decide where they belong before it's too late. But how do you know where you belong when your life consists of shades of grey; when you live within the space between?
'The Space Between' is told in the alternating voices of Frances and Matāri. This juxtaposition serves to highlight not only the gaping chasm between their two lives and cultures but also the sameness of all peoplein their quest for acceptance and need for identity. I appreciated the amount of historical facts, Māori language, and context included within the story, but definitely would have enjoyed the inclusion of a glossary and pronunciation guide to further enhance my learning. However, overall, 'The Space Between' does a good job of personalising the conflict so broadly referred to as, 'The New Zealand Wars'.
'We look back at our losses and acknowledge the hurt. But we have enough pain to bear as it is. We must move forward'.
'The Space Between' personalises the increasing clash of Māori and settlers' cultures through the lives of Matāria and Frances. Frances, an English immigrant from a once well-to-do family, struggles to find her place among the recently settled colony where settlers from varying backgrounds make new lives amidst those who have insisted upon importing England's class system with them. Whereas Matāria, once kidnapped and enslaved by the Waikato, escaped, only to discover she is hardly accepted back home, with her English husband - a home that was, and still should be an integral part of her. The simmering tensions of 1860, in New Plymouth, pull that dichotomy taut. Frances and Matāri need to decide where they belong before it's too late. But how do you know where you belong when your life consists of shades of grey; when you live within the space between?
'The Space Between' is told in the alternating voices of Frances and Matāri. This juxtaposition serves to highlight not only the gaping chasm between their two lives and cultures but also the sameness of all peoplein their quest for acceptance and need for identity. I appreciated the amount of historical facts, Māori language, and context included within the story, but definitely would have enjoyed the inclusion of a glossary and pronunciation guide to further enhance my learning. However, overall, 'The Space Between' does a good job of personalising the conflict so broadly referred to as, 'The New Zealand Wars'.
'We look back at our losses and acknowledge the hurt. But we have enough pain to bear as it is. We must move forward'.
March 1, 2024
I loved this book.
I loved the setting. I loved the characters. I loved the weaving of whakataukī and te reo Māori throughout the english text. Most of all I love what Lauren Keenan is trying to imagine - the Taranaki War, through the eyes of those who actually lived it.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that the major events and drivers of the Taranaki War mostly happen in the background. Those traditional drivers of NZ history - missionaries, politicians, soldiers, spies - move in and out of our main characters' stories. But The Space Between is firstly the story of ordinary people - tradesmen, farmers, husbands, wives - caught up by events outside of their control.
I did feel the climax ended somewhat abruptly, and some of the plot twists were not particularly surprising. But this didn't detract much from my overall enjoyment of Keenan's choice to sit with characters and themes that don't fit easily into the grand historical narrative:
A white man married to a Māori,
A slave rejected by her whānau,
A papakāinga in the heart of New Plymouth,
Farmers on the brink of war,
The island of New Plymouth in a sea of Māori land.
Its a wonderful way to tell a ripping story while sneaking history round the back. Its also a timely reminder of the complicated nature of the past, not to mention the value of looking back to move forward.
Haere whakamua, hoki whakamuri.
I loved the setting. I loved the characters. I loved the weaving of whakataukī and te reo Māori throughout the english text. Most of all I love what Lauren Keenan is trying to imagine - the Taranaki War, through the eyes of those who actually lived it.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that the major events and drivers of the Taranaki War mostly happen in the background. Those traditional drivers of NZ history - missionaries, politicians, soldiers, spies - move in and out of our main characters' stories. But The Space Between is firstly the story of ordinary people - tradesmen, farmers, husbands, wives - caught up by events outside of their control.
I did feel the climax ended somewhat abruptly, and some of the plot twists were not particularly surprising. But this didn't detract much from my overall enjoyment of Keenan's choice to sit with characters and themes that don't fit easily into the grand historical narrative:
A white man married to a Māori,
A slave rejected by her whānau,
A papakāinga in the heart of New Plymouth,
Farmers on the brink of war,
The island of New Plymouth in a sea of Māori land.
Its a wonderful way to tell a ripping story while sneaking history round the back. Its also a timely reminder of the complicated nature of the past, not to mention the value of looking back to move forward.
Haere whakamua, hoki whakamuri.
Read
February 27, 2024The Space Between is an interesting novel which tells the story of two women from different cultures against the backdrop of the New Zealand Wars in Taranaki. Exploring the lives of a Māori woman who has married a settler, and a recently migrated Pākehā woman, Keenan builds a narrative that illustrates the gulf that existed between the lives of Pākehā settlers and Māori in New Zealand, and also explores the complexities of their increasing intersection. As such, it’s a very personal exploration of this challenging time in History. The New Zealand Wars sit very much in the background, a tension which underpins the experiences of the central characters rather than a focal plot point. I think in many ways this a strength which makes this novel accessible, and appealing to a wider audience than it might otherwise. It’s a novel that is very located in place, and Keenan does a good job of centring her story and bringing Taranaki alive. It was also a really positive experience to read a novel that uses Te Reo Māori so naturally, and without constant awkward translation. This use of language is important, and Keenan does so in a way that respects her readers’ capacity to engage with it. A refreshing experience to read a novel set in this interesting historical time, and pleasing to see it brought to life in a way that will appeal to readers beyond the very historically literate.
February 22, 2024
This was my first time reading historical fiction set in my country, Aotearoa New Zealand. The Space Between was beautifully written and although most of the characters were fictional it was set during the NZ wars and it really captured what life was like during this time in NZ’s very real history. The author absolutely took the reader on a journey with the characters and what they were going through. It was a really fascinating look at what life was like back then for the indigenous Maori people and the English settlers. It was heartbreaking and real with the struggles experienced at that time.
I loved the use of Te Reo Maori interspersed throughout the story. It has also made me want to learn more about that part of my country’s history and the author helpfully has a bibliography at the end of the book to use for further reading.
Both of the female main characters were struggling to find their place, where they fit, even within their own families and communities. They both found themselves in the space between. It was beautiful to see their strength and perseverance as the story progressed.
I loved this uniquely NZ book, but absolutely recommend it to anyone as the issues and struggles will resonate beyond NZ.
Thank you to Penguin NZ for the advanced proof copy for review.
I loved the use of Te Reo Maori interspersed throughout the story. It has also made me want to learn more about that part of my country’s history and the author helpfully has a bibliography at the end of the book to use for further reading.
Both of the female main characters were struggling to find their place, where they fit, even within their own families and communities. They both found themselves in the space between. It was beautiful to see their strength and perseverance as the story progressed.
I loved this uniquely NZ book, but absolutely recommend it to anyone as the issues and struggles will resonate beyond NZ.
Thank you to Penguin NZ for the advanced proof copy for review.
February 27, 2024
"Hope. What a useless word: hope didn’t fill the fishing net with kaimoana; hope wouldn’t keep her husband safe if Tūmatauenga, that unpredictable god of war, was brandishing his taiaha."
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous New Zealand Wars of 1860, this gripping historical novel delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and survival in a raw and unforgiving colonial landscape.
Frances, a Londoner grappling with her family's fall from grace, finds herself adrift in colonial Aotearoa amidst the onset of the First Taranaki War. Her chance encounter with Henry White, a figure from her past who once shattered her heart, thrusts her into a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.
Henry, now married to the resilient Matāria, navigates the tensions between his English heritage and his ties to the indigenous community. As conflict escalates between settlers and the indigenous iwi, Matāria finds herself torn between loyalty to her people and the safety of her family.
As the specter of war looms large, Frances and Matāria's fates become intertwined in unforeseen and tragic ways. Both women are forced to confront their pasts while grappling with the harsh realities of the present, wrestling with questions of identity and belonging in a world torn apart by violence and uncertainty.
Written with depth and sensitivity by Lauren Keenan, herself of Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki descent, this debut adult novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It explores themes of hope, family, and the redemptive power of love amidst the chaos of history.
This book is an essential addition to every Kiwi's library, offering a poignant exploration of colonial New Zealand through the overlooked perspectives of women on the fringes of society. It's a profoundly moving and heart-wrenching journey that seeks to foster empathy in readers, shedding light on the profound impact of colonialism on the indigenous people of Aotearoa.
"As my māmā always told me: Haere whakamua, hoki whakamuri. We go forward, but we look back. The past is in front of us - even if it causes pain - because the past has set the conditions for the present. A husk of maize will only grow where the land has been tilled and the seeds have already been planted."
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous New Zealand Wars of 1860, this gripping historical novel delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and survival in a raw and unforgiving colonial landscape.
Frances, a Londoner grappling with her family's fall from grace, finds herself adrift in colonial Aotearoa amidst the onset of the First Taranaki War. Her chance encounter with Henry White, a figure from her past who once shattered her heart, thrusts her into a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.
Henry, now married to the resilient Matāria, navigates the tensions between his English heritage and his ties to the indigenous community. As conflict escalates between settlers and the indigenous iwi, Matāria finds herself torn between loyalty to her people and the safety of her family.
As the specter of war looms large, Frances and Matāria's fates become intertwined in unforeseen and tragic ways. Both women are forced to confront their pasts while grappling with the harsh realities of the present, wrestling with questions of identity and belonging in a world torn apart by violence and uncertainty.
Written with depth and sensitivity by Lauren Keenan, herself of Te Ātiawa ki Taranaki descent, this debut adult novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It explores themes of hope, family, and the redemptive power of love amidst the chaos of history.
This book is an essential addition to every Kiwi's library, offering a poignant exploration of colonial New Zealand through the overlooked perspectives of women on the fringes of society. It's a profoundly moving and heart-wrenching journey that seeks to foster empathy in readers, shedding light on the profound impact of colonialism on the indigenous people of Aotearoa.
"As my māmā always told me: Haere whakamua, hoki whakamuri. We go forward, but we look back. The past is in front of us - even if it causes pain - because the past has set the conditions for the present. A husk of maize will only grow where the land has been tilled and the seeds have already been planted."
February 27, 2024
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan
The space between is vast, and all those who inhabit it don’t belong. It is a space cluttered with lies and injustice. In and around New Plymouth, Taranaki in 1860 there were two societies, Te Atiawa Maori and white settlers transplanted mostly from Britain and Europe. In the novel The Space Between, Lauren Keenan shows us that the interaction of those two societies is a place of alienating and heartbreaking chaos, a time in the past from which echoes still reach into the present. The author with her extensive historical knowledge of this time of conflict opens a window into the past with her narrative. Te reo is used more extensively than in most NZ novels, which is a welcome trend for the NZ indigenous language, which after all has had official legal status for over 35 years.
Through the novel the story is told from the alternating points of view of two women, in the form of one chapter each, which is sometimes frustrating because it breaks up the plot line, but it allows the reader to closely experience both points of view. Mataria is a Maori woman with two children to her husband, the tough and wry English settler Henry White. Frances Farrington is a settler woman newly arrived in New Plymouth, with her mother and brother from upper class English society. Frances knew Henry White as her fiance in England many years ago but he mysteriously vanished, leaving Frances carrying a flame for 12 long years and without closure about his disappearance. The story starts with Frances and Henry meeting again by a trans-planet co-incidence. Henry reappears to her in a New Plymouth street, changed by life circumstances and roughened in appearance, carrying a sack of flour and wearing a Maori rain cloak of kiekie. Their re-acquaintance drives the plot.
In the story, and almost as vast as that space between, is the gulf that exists between humans of the same bloodlines, humans who are cruel to each other, who suppress and blame others. Mataria feels rejected by her sister Atarangi, the only whanau she has, and the one who could be the most supportive to her. Atarangi blames Mataria for their mother’s death, and for being captured into slavery, yet she still shows her loyalty in the care of Mataria’s children, “the fair ones” as she calls them. Mataria is constantly crippled by her painful leg, which is ignored by her sister, and we don’t know the origin of her injury.
Henry and Mataria exist in the space between Maori and English. So despite being worlds apart in their understanding of Te Ao Maori, they are close mates united in their alienation from both worlds, and sharing the care of their children. Henry is the go between. That is the use for him amongst his adopted Maori whanau. He is a survivor who is used to the slings and arrows, who often brushes serious situations aside with light hearted banter. He heads into the hazardous town of New Plymouth to sell his farm produce and he loyally supports his wife and their two children. Though not totally accepted or trusted by Te Atiawa, Henry is living on their whenua and is tolerated as far as he can be made use of - as a provider of, firstly tobacco and secondly information privy only to English settlers. As Frances’s old beau, he is the link between the two women.
Frances is also in the space of not belonging. She is treated as a servant by her own family, she is the ground down younger sister, she makes fearful, complicated self-talk. Her mother, clinging to the English upper class mores, represents the epitome of settler ignorance and racism. Frances’s self-seeking older brother George is a typical racist colonist and has a bad reputation. The Farringtons were a family of British upper class standing, but this class system translates in the Antipodean settler world of Taranaki as ridiculous and irrelevant. Frances is the worker who holds her family together, and waits dutifully on her mother who seems unaware of practicalities, the bread-and-butter survival skills of life. Frances notes ironically that “the more useless the person is, the more Mother respects them”. Frances takes pride in her first steps towards practical survival, learning to bake a loaf of bread and to turn the heavy butter churn, skills she was taught by the last servant the Farringtons had. After that servant left, word got out about George’s mistreatment, and disrespecful attitude towards employees and no one would work for him. This illustrates how settlers in NZ quickly developed an independence from the British class system, very different from the oppression in England.
The indignities and injustices placed on Te Atiawa iwi are cruel, and clearly documented by Keenan. They experienced colonisation on their own whenua, the 19th century foreshadowing of Apartheid. The British violently drove Te Atiawa out of Pukeariki which had been the central papakainga in the place the settlers renamed as New Plymouth. The exiles were forced to seek refuge in Mataria’s pa at Ngamotu, causing overcrowded conditions which spread the “illness” affecting many at that time, and tragically killing some children. Maori had to have passes to travel from Ngamotu within their own rohe to New Plymouth. A living example of this is described after Mataria and Henry had been considering where to take their children for safety from the impending war. Realising that travel in and around New Plymouth is her only option, Mataria succumbs to the idea of having to swear allegiance to the British queen, tries unsuccessfully to get a pass, but not an hour later is arrested for not having one, and cruelly imprisoned for several days. This injustice is witnessed first hand by Frances, and the storekeepers, the Thorpes. Frances, herself a person in the space between, is outraged by the events and feels empathy towards Mataria, as do the Thorpes.
Tumatauenga the god of war continually threatens to burst forth. We see the fierce strong paddling haka of the waka full of warriors, a contrast to the British infantry marching on land with guns. We view the self-imprisonment of the settlers in their own bastion of New Plymouth town, we learn of the compulsory exile of the Maori from their papakainga in the centre of New Plymouth, because it was inconvenient for the British to have them living there. In the background, we hear about Wiremu Kingitanga and the British troops declaring war. We have the historical fact of the Taranaki land wars which began in 1860, around summertime (the harakeke flowers being orange is our clue), and the story describes the few weeks through to the outbreak of war. During this period there was continued violent subjugation of women, children and non-warrior Maori by the British troops.
I find the ending rather abrupt. In the second to last chapter the suspense is building, then suddenly the final chapter starts with “The months passed” followed by a hasty revelation and resolution of events. Such a quick wrap up is a little unsatisfactory for the reader, but perhaps Keenan is setting it up for a sequel. And also, could the reference to Mataria’s earlier traumas when she was captured as a slave and taken up North by the Waikato, be laying the ground for a prequel? If written, I would definitely like to read them. Keenan has a huge amount of knowledge of Te Atiawa history to share, and she employs te reo in a conversational and lyrical way for this excellent purpose.
The space between is vast, and all those who inhabit it don’t belong. It is a space cluttered with lies and injustice. In and around New Plymouth, Taranaki in 1860 there were two societies, Te Atiawa Maori and white settlers transplanted mostly from Britain and Europe. In the novel The Space Between, Lauren Keenan shows us that the interaction of those two societies is a place of alienating and heartbreaking chaos, a time in the past from which echoes still reach into the present. The author with her extensive historical knowledge of this time of conflict opens a window into the past with her narrative. Te reo is used more extensively than in most NZ novels, which is a welcome trend for the NZ indigenous language, which after all has had official legal status for over 35 years.
Through the novel the story is told from the alternating points of view of two women, in the form of one chapter each, which is sometimes frustrating because it breaks up the plot line, but it allows the reader to closely experience both points of view. Mataria is a Maori woman with two children to her husband, the tough and wry English settler Henry White. Frances Farrington is a settler woman newly arrived in New Plymouth, with her mother and brother from upper class English society. Frances knew Henry White as her fiance in England many years ago but he mysteriously vanished, leaving Frances carrying a flame for 12 long years and without closure about his disappearance. The story starts with Frances and Henry meeting again by a trans-planet co-incidence. Henry reappears to her in a New Plymouth street, changed by life circumstances and roughened in appearance, carrying a sack of flour and wearing a Maori rain cloak of kiekie. Their re-acquaintance drives the plot.
In the story, and almost as vast as that space between, is the gulf that exists between humans of the same bloodlines, humans who are cruel to each other, who suppress and blame others. Mataria feels rejected by her sister Atarangi, the only whanau she has, and the one who could be the most supportive to her. Atarangi blames Mataria for their mother’s death, and for being captured into slavery, yet she still shows her loyalty in the care of Mataria’s children, “the fair ones” as she calls them. Mataria is constantly crippled by her painful leg, which is ignored by her sister, and we don’t know the origin of her injury.
Henry and Mataria exist in the space between Maori and English. So despite being worlds apart in their understanding of Te Ao Maori, they are close mates united in their alienation from both worlds, and sharing the care of their children. Henry is the go between. That is the use for him amongst his adopted Maori whanau. He is a survivor who is used to the slings and arrows, who often brushes serious situations aside with light hearted banter. He heads into the hazardous town of New Plymouth to sell his farm produce and he loyally supports his wife and their two children. Though not totally accepted or trusted by Te Atiawa, Henry is living on their whenua and is tolerated as far as he can be made use of - as a provider of, firstly tobacco and secondly information privy only to English settlers. As Frances’s old beau, he is the link between the two women.
Frances is also in the space of not belonging. She is treated as a servant by her own family, she is the ground down younger sister, she makes fearful, complicated self-talk. Her mother, clinging to the English upper class mores, represents the epitome of settler ignorance and racism. Frances’s self-seeking older brother George is a typical racist colonist and has a bad reputation. The Farringtons were a family of British upper class standing, but this class system translates in the Antipodean settler world of Taranaki as ridiculous and irrelevant. Frances is the worker who holds her family together, and waits dutifully on her mother who seems unaware of practicalities, the bread-and-butter survival skills of life. Frances notes ironically that “the more useless the person is, the more Mother respects them”. Frances takes pride in her first steps towards practical survival, learning to bake a loaf of bread and to turn the heavy butter churn, skills she was taught by the last servant the Farringtons had. After that servant left, word got out about George’s mistreatment, and disrespecful attitude towards employees and no one would work for him. This illustrates how settlers in NZ quickly developed an independence from the British class system, very different from the oppression in England.
The indignities and injustices placed on Te Atiawa iwi are cruel, and clearly documented by Keenan. They experienced colonisation on their own whenua, the 19th century foreshadowing of Apartheid. The British violently drove Te Atiawa out of Pukeariki which had been the central papakainga in the place the settlers renamed as New Plymouth. The exiles were forced to seek refuge in Mataria’s pa at Ngamotu, causing overcrowded conditions which spread the “illness” affecting many at that time, and tragically killing some children. Maori had to have passes to travel from Ngamotu within their own rohe to New Plymouth. A living example of this is described after Mataria and Henry had been considering where to take their children for safety from the impending war. Realising that travel in and around New Plymouth is her only option, Mataria succumbs to the idea of having to swear allegiance to the British queen, tries unsuccessfully to get a pass, but not an hour later is arrested for not having one, and cruelly imprisoned for several days. This injustice is witnessed first hand by Frances, and the storekeepers, the Thorpes. Frances, herself a person in the space between, is outraged by the events and feels empathy towards Mataria, as do the Thorpes.
Tumatauenga the god of war continually threatens to burst forth. We see the fierce strong paddling haka of the waka full of warriors, a contrast to the British infantry marching on land with guns. We view the self-imprisonment of the settlers in their own bastion of New Plymouth town, we learn of the compulsory exile of the Maori from their papakainga in the centre of New Plymouth, because it was inconvenient for the British to have them living there. In the background, we hear about Wiremu Kingitanga and the British troops declaring war. We have the historical fact of the Taranaki land wars which began in 1860, around summertime (the harakeke flowers being orange is our clue), and the story describes the few weeks through to the outbreak of war. During this period there was continued violent subjugation of women, children and non-warrior Maori by the British troops.
I find the ending rather abrupt. In the second to last chapter the suspense is building, then suddenly the final chapter starts with “The months passed” followed by a hasty revelation and resolution of events. Such a quick wrap up is a little unsatisfactory for the reader, but perhaps Keenan is setting it up for a sequel. And also, could the reference to Mataria’s earlier traumas when she was captured as a slave and taken up North by the Waikato, be laying the ground for a prequel? If written, I would definitely like to read them. Keenan has a huge amount of knowledge of Te Atiawa history to share, and she employs te reo in a conversational and lyrical way for this excellent purpose.
June 19, 2024
Loved the accuracy of this novel. Paints a very true picture of life in Aotearoa when the land wars were having a huge effect on both Māori and Pākehā. Thoroughly enjoyed
February 22, 2024
The Space Between is a work of historical fiction set in the Taranaki region around New Plymouth in 1860. It follows two women - Matāria and Frances - as they navigate their own complicated lives amongst the growing tension between Māori and the increasing numbers of European settlers and militia. Both women find themselves in the space between.
Matāria feels somewhat excluded from her own people. Her past, an injury to her leg, and her Pākehā husband set her apart from the other women, and she feels she cannot live up to the expectations of her sister. She needs to decide what she will do when the inevitable war breaks out.
Frances is a settler who was inexplicably abandoned by a man she thought she would marry, and now lives at the mercy of her arrogant brother and overbearing mother. Life in New Zealand is a major adjustment from her previous upper-class life in England, but as she learns the skills to take care of herself she feels herself becoming more independent. Will she be able to escape her brother's shadow and make a life for herself?
This book is everything you want from historical fiction. As well as being a compelling story, Lauren Keenan's background in the study of history means it is also exceptionally well-researched. The bibliography provided is an excellent reading list for anyone wanting to further explore this period in New Zealand's history. The Space Between is an exercise in imaginative empathy, asking us to consider this time in the history of Aotearoa: the decisions and changes people were forced to make, the refusal of those in power to act in good faith, and the ongoing impact on people who were left without choice. As such I would recommend this book as a companion read to anyone learning about the New Zealand Land Wars.
Overall this was a great read which I really enjoyed. I hope Lauren Keenan continues to write historical fiction because I would very much like to read some more from her!
Matāria feels somewhat excluded from her own people. Her past, an injury to her leg, and her Pākehā husband set her apart from the other women, and she feels she cannot live up to the expectations of her sister. She needs to decide what she will do when the inevitable war breaks out.
Frances is a settler who was inexplicably abandoned by a man she thought she would marry, and now lives at the mercy of her arrogant brother and overbearing mother. Life in New Zealand is a major adjustment from her previous upper-class life in England, but as she learns the skills to take care of herself she feels herself becoming more independent. Will she be able to escape her brother's shadow and make a life for herself?
This book is everything you want from historical fiction. As well as being a compelling story, Lauren Keenan's background in the study of history means it is also exceptionally well-researched. The bibliography provided is an excellent reading list for anyone wanting to further explore this period in New Zealand's history. The Space Between is an exercise in imaginative empathy, asking us to consider this time in the history of Aotearoa: the decisions and changes people were forced to make, the refusal of those in power to act in good faith, and the ongoing impact on people who were left without choice. As such I would recommend this book as a companion read to anyone learning about the New Zealand Land Wars.
Overall this was a great read which I really enjoyed. I hope Lauren Keenan continues to write historical fiction because I would very much like to read some more from her!
February 24, 2024
"Matāria wasn't really listening. She stood watching the soldiers below. One boatload rowed to shore, then another, then another. So many men, in New Plymouth. To fight."
As a sixth generation European New Zealander, schooled during the 70's and 80's, I feel embarrassed to say how sparse my knowledge is on New Zealand history - not something really taught in schools back then. I am hopefully becoming more informed as I read and learn with this new novel going some way to informing me further. It has left me curious to read more local history, particularly about the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860's.
The story is written from the perspectives of two women. Frances, an unmarried British woman who comes to the colony of New Zealand with her mother and brother to try to eke out a new life, and Matāria, a young Māori woman of Te Atiawa descent who has returned to her tribe after being enslaved, bringing with her a Pākehā husband and two mixed race children. Told quite simplistically in a linear manner the chapters alternate between the two women and while providing a narrative of how the wars came into being the book manages to achieve the aim of showing the perspectives of both sides, giving a more personal and human element to the conflict. Peppered liberally with te Reo Māori there are some who might find it occasionally challenging to follow but the language has its place in the story and if I got stuck on meaning I was able to readily Google it if needed.
I enjoyed this homegrown tale that gave a human face to our shameful colonial past while at the same time reminding us that it is easy for us to judge looking through the ‘retrospectoscope’ of time. What it does remind us is that there was good intent by many on both sides and that interracial marriage, while challenging for those involved, proved that love crossed so many boundaries and has resulted in the interesting society we have today. By giving a human face to that through the characters in the book I feel it also ignites an element of understanding about the racial challenges we still face today and the importance of righting past wrongs through the treaty process we have in NZ. This book certainly allowed me to gain a deeper level of understanding and empathy while enjoying a good story and I feel it is a worthwhile addition to NZ's literary collection.
Thanks to @penguinbooksnz for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
As a sixth generation European New Zealander, schooled during the 70's and 80's, I feel embarrassed to say how sparse my knowledge is on New Zealand history - not something really taught in schools back then. I am hopefully becoming more informed as I read and learn with this new novel going some way to informing me further. It has left me curious to read more local history, particularly about the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860's.
The story is written from the perspectives of two women. Frances, an unmarried British woman who comes to the colony of New Zealand with her mother and brother to try to eke out a new life, and Matāria, a young Māori woman of Te Atiawa descent who has returned to her tribe after being enslaved, bringing with her a Pākehā husband and two mixed race children. Told quite simplistically in a linear manner the chapters alternate between the two women and while providing a narrative of how the wars came into being the book manages to achieve the aim of showing the perspectives of both sides, giving a more personal and human element to the conflict. Peppered liberally with te Reo Māori there are some who might find it occasionally challenging to follow but the language has its place in the story and if I got stuck on meaning I was able to readily Google it if needed.
I enjoyed this homegrown tale that gave a human face to our shameful colonial past while at the same time reminding us that it is easy for us to judge looking through the ‘retrospectoscope’ of time. What it does remind us is that there was good intent by many on both sides and that interracial marriage, while challenging for those involved, proved that love crossed so many boundaries and has resulted in the interesting society we have today. By giving a human face to that through the characters in the book I feel it also ignites an element of understanding about the racial challenges we still face today and the importance of righting past wrongs through the treaty process we have in NZ. This book certainly allowed me to gain a deeper level of understanding and empathy while enjoying a good story and I feel it is a worthwhile addition to NZ's literary collection.
Thanks to @penguinbooksnz for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 25, 2024
A tale of two woman who find themselves displaced and questioning their loyalties.
The story of two wahine from opposite sides of the world fighting to claim back their mana is interwoven with the historical accounts of the English settlers claiming Māori land as their own through brute force and degradation.
It’s incredibly sad to imagine the entitlement the white people expressed and the indignity that the indigenous Māori endured.
A powerful story that highlights a huge part of Aotearoa, New Zealand history.
A heartbreaking story of two POVs set during the Māori land wars in Taranaki, Aotearoa.
Matāria is a stoic Māori woman married to an English man, Henry. Her family shun her due to her past choices and judge her despite her resilience. The Māori hold a lot of weight in their spiritual connection with the earth and she faces un uphill battle to prove that she is still of value.
Frances finds herself practically destitute in a foreign country alongside her cad of a brother and simpering mother. She stumbles upon a clue to solving the mystery that has haunted her for twelve years. While living in London, her beau Henry, who she intended to marry, disappeared and now she is considered a sad spinster. She finds Henry living in Aotearoa with his Māori wife and children.
I would have loved a Te Reo Māori glossary but perhaps this will be included in the final draft.
✨I was kindly sent an advanced copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review.
The story of two wahine from opposite sides of the world fighting to claim back their mana is interwoven with the historical accounts of the English settlers claiming Māori land as their own through brute force and degradation.
It’s incredibly sad to imagine the entitlement the white people expressed and the indignity that the indigenous Māori endured.
A powerful story that highlights a huge part of Aotearoa, New Zealand history.
A heartbreaking story of two POVs set during the Māori land wars in Taranaki, Aotearoa.
Matāria is a stoic Māori woman married to an English man, Henry. Her family shun her due to her past choices and judge her despite her resilience. The Māori hold a lot of weight in their spiritual connection with the earth and she faces un uphill battle to prove that she is still of value.
Frances finds herself practically destitute in a foreign country alongside her cad of a brother and simpering mother. She stumbles upon a clue to solving the mystery that has haunted her for twelve years. While living in London, her beau Henry, who she intended to marry, disappeared and now she is considered a sad spinster. She finds Henry living in Aotearoa with his Māori wife and children.
I would have loved a Te Reo Māori glossary but perhaps this will be included in the final draft.
✨I was kindly sent an advanced copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 7, 2024
Keenan’s writing is a little clunky and amateurish but you can tell it will mature and develop the more she writes. I loved this story. The two different female voices gave the story depth and immediacy, it was a clever way to convey the realities and feelings from both sides. The use of the Henry character straddling both worlds and bonding the two women was extremely effective.
But what was especially beautiful was the voice of Matāria and the way her story was told. Regular use of Te Reo without footnotes or translations, the general feeing or sentiment explained was enough. The use of language and culture and customs was handled lightly, trusting the reader to understand the intimations.
An honest look at the customs, beliefs and ways, even if some of them were harsh through our eyes (ostracising a woman when she finds her way home having been captured as a child and kept as a slave and blaming her for being unclean) but also very clearly explaining the special bond to the land, the ancestors and each other that was so brutally disrupted and misunderstood with the arrival of the settlers.
But what was especially beautiful was the voice of Matāria and the way her story was told. Regular use of Te Reo without footnotes or translations, the general feeing or sentiment explained was enough. The use of language and culture and customs was handled lightly, trusting the reader to understand the intimations.
An honest look at the customs, beliefs and ways, even if some of them were harsh through our eyes (ostracising a woman when she finds her way home having been captured as a child and kept as a slave and blaming her for being unclean) but also very clearly explaining the special bond to the land, the ancestors and each other that was so brutally disrupted and misunderstood with the arrival of the settlers.
February 26, 2024
**Disclaimer: I was kindly sent an Advanced Reader Copy of "The Space Between" by Penguin Books NZ in exchange for an honest review**
I was very excited to read this historical novel by Lauren Keenan and, I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. This exploration of love, loss, and the intricate dynamics between the Māori people - tangata whenua - and the colonisers from Europe who have settled in Aotearoa New Zealand, is a skillful weaving of storylines and complex characters that had me hooked from beginning to end.
Set in the 1860s against the backdrop of the New Zealand Wars, Keenan masterfully develops the two main characters, Matāria and Frances, showing levels of complexity that truly highlight how real and relatable these characters are. As she draws us into the lives of each of these characters and the challenges they face, we are invited to explore the nuances of their relationships and to consider how those relationships affect their day-to-day lives.
Frances has found herself in New Zealand after her family has fallen from favour in their home country of England. Tied to the whims of her brother and struggling to manage the demands of her ageing mother, Frances battles to find her place in her new world as she grapples with her past and the odd townfolk she must live alongside....and then she runs into her ex-fiance in town, but Henry is now married to Matāria, a local Māori woman.
Matāria was taken as a slave as a child and many years later found her way back to her iwi, with her white, coloniser husband and their two children. Things are not easy for her as she fights to find her place with her people once more despite the view that they hold that she is 'dirty' as a result of her experiences.
With war brewing between the colonisers and the Māori, both Frances and Matāria find themselves on the outside, looking in and Matāria, in particular, struggles with the space between her world as a Māori woman and that of being married to a colonising man.
The pacing of this story is well-executed, switching between Frances and Matāria each chapter, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning the pages to see what comes next. Like me, you will find yourself emotionally invested in the characters' journeys, cheering them along, and wishing you could go back in time and change the course of history.
Keenan's writing style is elegant and evocative and will transport you to the 1860s with every vivid description and heartfelt emotion. It is easy to become fully immersed in the story and find yourself lifting your eyes from the pages a few hours later, wanting to read it all again.
This is a poignant and beautifully crafted novel by Keenan, filled with heart and soul. Well-developed characters, a compelling storyline, and a setting most any reader will wish had no place in history, this book earned a solid 5 stars from me, even though I was left wanting to know what happened NEXT for Frances and Matāria. Maybe a second book?
I was very excited to read this historical novel by Lauren Keenan and, I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. This exploration of love, loss, and the intricate dynamics between the Māori people - tangata whenua - and the colonisers from Europe who have settled in Aotearoa New Zealand, is a skillful weaving of storylines and complex characters that had me hooked from beginning to end.
Set in the 1860s against the backdrop of the New Zealand Wars, Keenan masterfully develops the two main characters, Matāria and Frances, showing levels of complexity that truly highlight how real and relatable these characters are. As she draws us into the lives of each of these characters and the challenges they face, we are invited to explore the nuances of their relationships and to consider how those relationships affect their day-to-day lives.
Frances has found herself in New Zealand after her family has fallen from favour in their home country of England. Tied to the whims of her brother and struggling to manage the demands of her ageing mother, Frances battles to find her place in her new world as she grapples with her past and the odd townfolk she must live alongside....and then she runs into her ex-fiance in town, but Henry is now married to Matāria, a local Māori woman.
Matāria was taken as a slave as a child and many years later found her way back to her iwi, with her white, coloniser husband and their two children. Things are not easy for her as she fights to find her place with her people once more despite the view that they hold that she is 'dirty' as a result of her experiences.
With war brewing between the colonisers and the Māori, both Frances and Matāria find themselves on the outside, looking in and Matāria, in particular, struggles with the space between her world as a Māori woman and that of being married to a colonising man.
The pacing of this story is well-executed, switching between Frances and Matāria each chapter, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning the pages to see what comes next. Like me, you will find yourself emotionally invested in the characters' journeys, cheering them along, and wishing you could go back in time and change the course of history.
Keenan's writing style is elegant and evocative and will transport you to the 1860s with every vivid description and heartfelt emotion. It is easy to become fully immersed in the story and find yourself lifting your eyes from the pages a few hours later, wanting to read it all again.
This is a poignant and beautifully crafted novel by Keenan, filled with heart and soul. Well-developed characters, a compelling storyline, and a setting most any reader will wish had no place in history, this book earned a solid 5 stars from me, even though I was left wanting to know what happened NEXT for Frances and Matāria. Maybe a second book?
Read
February 21, 2024The Space Between
By Lauren Keenan
Penguin Books
In the Space Between we revisit the age-old question about what happens when two cultures collide. So many of these accounts are from a male perspective and one sided. Lauren Keenan (Te Ati Awa ki Taranaki) takes a different approach with the lives of two women in the growing settlement which will become New Plymouth. We are drawn into the daily domesticity of 1860. Frances is an Englishwoman slighted in love, who settles with her brother and mother. Mataria is a mother of two living with her English husband, Henry.
Conflict seems inevitable when the interests and values of these two groups collide. We are given information on particular events and the outcomes of these. Both the Maori and European perspectives are outlined in some detail. The impact of these on the lives of ordinary people is heartfelt and moving.
Keenan has an MA in Taranaki Maori history so is well placed to describe the events which came to be known as the Taranaki Land Wars. The earlier experiences of Maori in the Waikato provide a background to these events. Past experiences suggest the outcomes for Maori will be relocation and even death. By setting her novel in this period she is able to draw us in to the real tragedy of an historical event.
Above all, this is a love story. Both Frances and Mataria must discover where their true affections lie. Keenan writes with depth about feelings and emotions as betrayal and violence come in to play. I enjoy historical drama, especially when the author has a deep understanding of the period. Keenan has delivered a wonderful tale in an honest and authentic setting.
Kate Watson
Christchurch
By Lauren Keenan
Penguin Books
In the Space Between we revisit the age-old question about what happens when two cultures collide. So many of these accounts are from a male perspective and one sided. Lauren Keenan (Te Ati Awa ki Taranaki) takes a different approach with the lives of two women in the growing settlement which will become New Plymouth. We are drawn into the daily domesticity of 1860. Frances is an Englishwoman slighted in love, who settles with her brother and mother. Mataria is a mother of two living with her English husband, Henry.
Conflict seems inevitable when the interests and values of these two groups collide. We are given information on particular events and the outcomes of these. Both the Maori and European perspectives are outlined in some detail. The impact of these on the lives of ordinary people is heartfelt and moving.
Keenan has an MA in Taranaki Maori history so is well placed to describe the events which came to be known as the Taranaki Land Wars. The earlier experiences of Maori in the Waikato provide a background to these events. Past experiences suggest the outcomes for Maori will be relocation and even death. By setting her novel in this period she is able to draw us in to the real tragedy of an historical event.
Above all, this is a love story. Both Frances and Mataria must discover where their true affections lie. Keenan writes with depth about feelings and emotions as betrayal and violence come in to play. I enjoy historical drama, especially when the author has a deep understanding of the period. Keenan has delivered a wonderful tale in an honest and authentic setting.
Kate Watson
Christchurch
August 16, 2024
The Space Between by Lauren Keenan shows the historical conflict and divide leading up and around the Taranaki War in 1860, between the tangata whenua and the colonizers from Europe that settled in New Plymouth.
This story follows two wāhine, Matāria and Frances in a dual POV and their own battles against heartbreaking rejection and isolation within their whānau. Trying to navigate their place in 'The space between' while also facing a war brewing around them.
The talented weaving of historical facts throughout the storyline had me fully engrossed from start to finish and has now changed my mind on this genre. It was captivating, raw, and at times, tense. This book soared above my expectations, and I was truly impressed.
"Death is a constant line connecting the present with the past. It is the way it has always been, and how it will always be."
"E kore a Taranaki e ngaro, he harakeke tōngai nui nō roto Waiwiri." (Taranaki would not be lost; it was strong like harakeke.)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story follows two wāhine, Matāria and Frances in a dual POV and their own battles against heartbreaking rejection and isolation within their whānau. Trying to navigate their place in 'The space between' while also facing a war brewing around them.
The talented weaving of historical facts throughout the storyline had me fully engrossed from start to finish and has now changed my mind on this genre. It was captivating, raw, and at times, tense. This book soared above my expectations, and I was truly impressed.
"Death is a constant line connecting the present with the past. It is the way it has always been, and how it will always be."
"E kore a Taranaki e ngaro, he harakeke tōngai nui nō roto Waiwiri." (Taranaki would not be lost; it was strong like harakeke.)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 17, 2024
Review - The Space Between by Lauren Kennan
Set at the start of the Taranaki Land Wars, The Space Between is a beautifully written story that integrates Pakeha and Māori perspectives of 1860’s Taranaki. One of the gifts Lauren Kennan provides the reader are insights and understanding into Te Reo and Te Ao Māori without feeling ‘translated’. The use of Te Reo, and the English explanation, are seamlessly worked together as part of the narrative so the reader never has to work hard, insight and understanding occurs naturally.
The novel has a similar narrative structure to Jenny Pattrick’s Harboring, with both stories centred around a Pakeha Woman and a Wahine Maori in the 19th Century. But Lauren Keenan's characters feel more authentic, and in particular, the character Matària gives a feeling of a genuine connection and insight into Te Ao Màori. The historical and geographical details of Ngà Motu/New Plymouth and the surrounding area, are also beautifully represented. Perhaps this isn't surprising as Lauren Keenan is Te Ati Awa and holds a Master of Arts in Taranaki Màori History. She was inspired to write The Space Between while researching her thesis. I suspect she has also drawn on her father’s excellent, relatively recently published historical text - The Wars without End - the New Zealand Land Wars, from a Màori perspective, as some of the lesser-known details of how Màori were treated at the time are found in both texts.
This novel is currently circulating around our in-school teacher book club. We would also recommend it to some of our senior students to pair with a historical study of the New Zealand Wars. If you want a beautifully narrated, contemplative novel, that covers a tumultuous but little-known part of Aotearoa’s New Zealand History this story is highly recommended.
Set at the start of the Taranaki Land Wars, The Space Between is a beautifully written story that integrates Pakeha and Māori perspectives of 1860’s Taranaki. One of the gifts Lauren Kennan provides the reader are insights and understanding into Te Reo and Te Ao Māori without feeling ‘translated’. The use of Te Reo, and the English explanation, are seamlessly worked together as part of the narrative so the reader never has to work hard, insight and understanding occurs naturally.
The novel has a similar narrative structure to Jenny Pattrick’s Harboring, with both stories centred around a Pakeha Woman and a Wahine Maori in the 19th Century. But Lauren Keenan's characters feel more authentic, and in particular, the character Matària gives a feeling of a genuine connection and insight into Te Ao Màori. The historical and geographical details of Ngà Motu/New Plymouth and the surrounding area, are also beautifully represented. Perhaps this isn't surprising as Lauren Keenan is Te Ati Awa and holds a Master of Arts in Taranaki Màori History. She was inspired to write The Space Between while researching her thesis. I suspect she has also drawn on her father’s excellent, relatively recently published historical text - The Wars without End - the New Zealand Land Wars, from a Màori perspective, as some of the lesser-known details of how Màori were treated at the time are found in both texts.
This novel is currently circulating around our in-school teacher book club. We would also recommend it to some of our senior students to pair with a historical study of the New Zealand Wars. If you want a beautifully narrated, contemplative novel, that covers a tumultuous but little-known part of Aotearoa’s New Zealand History this story is highly recommended.
February 24, 2024
The Space Between is the book I have been waiting for, without even knowing I had been waiting. It’s historical fiction with women protagonists but set, hurray, in New Zealand. For fans of authors like Phillippa Gregory and Diana Gabaldon, here at last is the Aotearoa iteration. Our own history in entertaining and educational fictional form.
When I was visiting Pompeii a few years ago, walking those ancient streets, I felt like I was time travelling. There were moments I had that same experience reading this book. Keenan conjures up such a vivid sense of place, you can almost feel and smell what it must have felt like wandering along Devon Road in 1860s New Plymouth. The amount of research that has gone into this story is evident. Writer Margaret George wrote that “historical novels can transport us to another era” and The Space Between certainly succeeds in doing just that.
The narrative flicks back and forth between Frances, a newly-arrived English settler, and Matāria, a local Māori woman witnessing the influx of colonialists into her country. I think it’s always the sign of a dual narrator done well when you have a momentary itch of annoyance as a chapter ends and the story changes character but then you remember how much you were dying to know what happened next with that other character so you plough ahead. I found Frances and Matāria both incredibly relatable and compelling. I cared about them both and was desperate to see if they’d each find any semblance of peace and happiness.
This book is simultaneously entertaining, enjoyable, terrifyingly depressing, and enlightening - but perfectly a New Zealand story. Our own stories, the awful and the uplifting, served back to us in fictional form. I do hope Keenan is working on more of the same.
When I was visiting Pompeii a few years ago, walking those ancient streets, I felt like I was time travelling. There were moments I had that same experience reading this book. Keenan conjures up such a vivid sense of place, you can almost feel and smell what it must have felt like wandering along Devon Road in 1860s New Plymouth. The amount of research that has gone into this story is evident. Writer Margaret George wrote that “historical novels can transport us to another era” and The Space Between certainly succeeds in doing just that.
The narrative flicks back and forth between Frances, a newly-arrived English settler, and Matāria, a local Māori woman witnessing the influx of colonialists into her country. I think it’s always the sign of a dual narrator done well when you have a momentary itch of annoyance as a chapter ends and the story changes character but then you remember how much you were dying to know what happened next with that other character so you plough ahead. I found Frances and Matāria both incredibly relatable and compelling. I cared about them both and was desperate to see if they’d each find any semblance of peace and happiness.
This book is simultaneously entertaining, enjoyable, terrifyingly depressing, and enlightening - but perfectly a New Zealand story. Our own stories, the awful and the uplifting, served back to us in fictional form. I do hope Keenan is working on more of the same.
Read
April 18, 2025Gift from Mum
May 6, 2024
Really interesting historical fiction set in Aotearoa.
June 20, 2024
Really enjoyable read, made me reflect on what life was like for my ancestors who settled in Aotearoa and the clash of cultures.
August 25, 2024
Sadly, I couldn't get into it. Gripping it was not. I had to force myself to read the next chapter and try to get interested. Perhaps I was just not in the mood. Using a lot of Maori without a glossary was rather unfair to the reader. I'm not sure what the author expected readers to do about it - google it or just accept ignorance? I didn't care enough to persevere, realising that I left the book unread on my table while I continued with other books instead. Eventually I gave up trying and returned it to the library.
July 24, 2024
I loved the way this story was told through two different wahine, and how the time and place was described via each of their stories. The author did a wonderful job of that. I really loved how well the te reo Māori was interwoven, and with limited reo, you could easily follow along due to how well everything was described. The whakatauki throughout it were beautiful.
I had hoped for a little more from the ending - only reason it didn’t get a 5 from me.
I had hoped for a little more from the ending - only reason it didn’t get a 5 from me.
March 5, 2024
3/5
The Space Between is a story about two women, Frances and Mataria, from two different worlds, united by being outcasts. Set against the backdrop of war between the Maori and European settlers in New Zealand, both women must choose which side to take.
Keenan is a descriptive and world-building writer, able to catapult her reader to a hearth-side or hillside camp with ease. The story is engrossing and the split narration juxtaposes the similarities and differences of the struggles faced by both our protagonists. The use of Te Reo Maori without translation was a bold move, however I would’ve appreciated a glossary to refer to both as a way of improving my own understanding and to ensure nothing was missed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the New Zealand war with a more humane and emotive setting, this is definitely the book for you.
Thanks to Penguin and the author for the advance reader copy of this novel.
The Space Between is a story about two women, Frances and Mataria, from two different worlds, united by being outcasts. Set against the backdrop of war between the Maori and European settlers in New Zealand, both women must choose which side to take.
Keenan is a descriptive and world-building writer, able to catapult her reader to a hearth-side or hillside camp with ease. The story is engrossing and the split narration juxtaposes the similarities and differences of the struggles faced by both our protagonists. The use of Te Reo Maori without translation was a bold move, however I would’ve appreciated a glossary to refer to both as a way of improving my own understanding and to ensure nothing was missed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the New Zealand war with a more humane and emotive setting, this is definitely the book for you.
Thanks to Penguin and the author for the advance reader copy of this novel.
April 8, 2024
An interesting book about the clash between NZ colonial settlers and Māoris. Really draws this out with three main characters , husband and wife and another woman connected from earlier times. Well written, I liked the Māori language use on every page.
February 28, 2024
Opinion Summary:
Set in New Zealand’s tumultuous time of colonial settlement and the Land Wars, this is a cracking good read because, through the viewpoints of two women of vastly different cultures, it consistently poses the question every great historical fiction novel should ask: “what did it feel like to live through that?”.
Full disclosure: I read widely and voraciously, but historical fiction set in New Zealand is my absolute favourite genre. Hence, I pounced on the chance to read and review an advance proof copy of this book.
When I got my hands on it, before I even began reading the first chapter, I found myself drooling. Why? Because I find the author, Lauren Keenan, brings academic rigour AND authenticity to the historical fiction table. Of Te Ātiawa descent, Keenan, who has a Master of Arts in NZ Māori History, sets this book during the New Zealand Wars in her home area of Taranaki.
Keenan explains, “much of my initial research for this book occurred while trawling through oral submissions made by people of Te Ātiawa to the Waitangi Tribunal between 1991 and 1995 as evidence for WAI143, the Taranaki claim”. While her research was academic, for her thesis and her tribe, this was when the “what did it feel like” seed was sown, and how ‘The Space Between’, was borne.
This book places both colonial and Māori women in the centre of the frame. I love that. The chapters alternate between Londoner Frances who with her brother and mother on a small block of land is living a vastly different life to that which they were accustomed to back in England before their fortunes fell, and Matāria a local Te Ātiawa woman born with a painful limp who lived much of her young life on a Christian mission in the Waikato but has recently returned home and lives at a Taranaki pā.
The connection between Frances and Matāria is their respective senses of not belonging to their people, and Henry, an Englishman who is the first and only love of Frances, and Matāria’s husband and father of her twins Edwin and Betsy. This novel’s two main protagonists also both have uncompromising women close in their lives, with whom they have difficult but necessary relationships.
Henry exited Frances’ life abruptly and with no explanation 12 years before the book’s opening, which begins with them both shocked and overwhelmed when they by chance encounter each other in the street in the military settlement town of New Plymouth in 1860.
Henry, subsequently recounting his unsettling encounter with Frances to his wife Matāria, describes Frances’ mother as “a frightful snob” and of Frances’ brother George Henry says, “the less said the better”.
Matāria’s sister Atarangi is a powerhouse at the pā, who holds a low opinion of her disabled sister returning with a Pakeha husband and children. Atarangi’s husband Kuru is, in Matāria’s words “a wise leader, a just decision-maker and a skilled carver”.
To relate more would be to spoil the story for potential readers. It’s enough to say the stage is set for a great read grounded in credible historic research, against a backdrop in an era which doesn’t have a lot written about it from such a female perspective. If you like reading Deborah Challinor, you will like this too, promise!
Set in New Zealand’s tumultuous time of colonial settlement and the Land Wars, this is a cracking good read because, through the viewpoints of two women of vastly different cultures, it consistently poses the question every great historical fiction novel should ask: “what did it feel like to live through that?”.
Full disclosure: I read widely and voraciously, but historical fiction set in New Zealand is my absolute favourite genre. Hence, I pounced on the chance to read and review an advance proof copy of this book.
When I got my hands on it, before I even began reading the first chapter, I found myself drooling. Why? Because I find the author, Lauren Keenan, brings academic rigour AND authenticity to the historical fiction table. Of Te Ātiawa descent, Keenan, who has a Master of Arts in NZ Māori History, sets this book during the New Zealand Wars in her home area of Taranaki.
Keenan explains, “much of my initial research for this book occurred while trawling through oral submissions made by people of Te Ātiawa to the Waitangi Tribunal between 1991 and 1995 as evidence for WAI143, the Taranaki claim”. While her research was academic, for her thesis and her tribe, this was when the “what did it feel like” seed was sown, and how ‘The Space Between’, was borne.
This book places both colonial and Māori women in the centre of the frame. I love that. The chapters alternate between Londoner Frances who with her brother and mother on a small block of land is living a vastly different life to that which they were accustomed to back in England before their fortunes fell, and Matāria a local Te Ātiawa woman born with a painful limp who lived much of her young life on a Christian mission in the Waikato but has recently returned home and lives at a Taranaki pā.
The connection between Frances and Matāria is their respective senses of not belonging to their people, and Henry, an Englishman who is the first and only love of Frances, and Matāria’s husband and father of her twins Edwin and Betsy. This novel’s two main protagonists also both have uncompromising women close in their lives, with whom they have difficult but necessary relationships.
Henry exited Frances’ life abruptly and with no explanation 12 years before the book’s opening, which begins with them both shocked and overwhelmed when they by chance encounter each other in the street in the military settlement town of New Plymouth in 1860.
Henry, subsequently recounting his unsettling encounter with Frances to his wife Matāria, describes Frances’ mother as “a frightful snob” and of Frances’ brother George Henry says, “the less said the better”.
Matāria’s sister Atarangi is a powerhouse at the pā, who holds a low opinion of her disabled sister returning with a Pakeha husband and children. Atarangi’s husband Kuru is, in Matāria’s words “a wise leader, a just decision-maker and a skilled carver”.
To relate more would be to spoil the story for potential readers. It’s enough to say the stage is set for a great read grounded in credible historic research, against a backdrop in an era which doesn’t have a lot written about it from such a female perspective. If you like reading Deborah Challinor, you will like this too, promise!
October 27, 2024
“The Space Between” by Lauren Keenan is a compelling and powerful novel that immerses readers in the lives of its two central characters, Matāria and Frances. Set in contemporary New Zealand, this novel explores complex emotional depths as these women, from vastly different worlds, find their paths cross in unforeseen and transformative ways, where they will realise the importance of confronting pasts in order to survive the future.
Throughout the story, Keenan skillfully weaves themes of grief, identity and cultural belonging, creating a detailed picture of emotional challenges and personal growth. The story is told from the alternating points of view of two women, in the form of one chapter each, which is sometimes frustrating because it breaks up the plot line, but it allows the reader to closely experience both points of view. Matāria, a Māori woman deeply connected to her heritage, is dealing with the loss of her father and her place within both her family and her culture. Her journey involves balancing the burden of tradition with her personal desires and the demands of modern society. Frances, on the other hand, is a Pākehā woman, struggling with the loss of her brother feeling lost in her job and life. An encounter with Henry White, a man from her past who once broke her heart, forces her into a journey of self-discovery and resolution in a land marked by conflict and change. Both women are affected by their losses but are drawn to each other by a shared need for connection and healing.
Keenan’s portrayal of the two women reflect the shared and unique challenges women face. The feminist undertones are clear, as both Matāria and Frances must navigate societal expectations while learning to reclaim their own voices: Matāria’s connection to her cultural identity and heritage, and Frances’ journey for personal freedom in a restrictive and sexist world. Their relationship, though complicated, helps them grow and discover themselves, teaching them the value of empathy, support and the power to change their own stories.
Their stories demonstrate what it means to be a woman, exploring themes of grief, friendship and self-empowerment, all of which can feel deeply personal and universally relatable.
Keenan’s writing style, both evocative and empathetic, immediately drew me into the raw emotional lives of these women. Her detailed portrayal of New Zealand makes the narrative all that more intriguing, adding further depth into the novel, making it not just a story of personal transformation, but one deeply rooted in the land and its people.
Overall, Lauren Keenan’s “The Space Between” is a captivating, inspiring novel that delves into womanhood, grief and cultural identity. This novel serves as a reminder of the power of connection and the strength found in navigating the spaces between who we are and who we strive to become. I highly recommend this novel and it is an essential read for anyone interested in stories of emotional resilience, cultural identity and female empowerment.
February 27, 2024
"Hope. What a useless word, hope didn't fill the fishing net with kai moana; hope wouldn't keep her husband safe if Tūmatauenga, that unpredictable god of war, was brandishing his taiaha."
Keenan's "The Space Between" is a compelling narrative that follows the lives of two resilient wāhine, Frances and Matāria, against the tumultuous backdrop of New Plymouth gearing up for civil war. Keenan skillfully alternates perspectives, delving into the complex relationships within Frances' Pākehā settler family and Matāria's struggles with love and familial resentment. Hope binds both women together, undoubtedly reflecting the experiences of many during this time.
The novel's strength lies in its fierce feminism. This is embodied by Matāria's advice to Frances: "A woman should never apologise when she has not done wrong." Keenan challenges the gendered narrative of Aotearoa's colonial history, providing an often overlooked perspective on the experiences of women during this era. Beyond a shared love interest, Henry, the story focuses on women supporting each other for what is right, adding depth to the text. The inclusion of a comprehensive bibliography further enhances the book's value for those seeking additional historical context.
Rooted in Keenan's Master of Arts in Taranaki Māori History, the story unfolds with rich historical detail, powerful storytelling, and a deep understanding of mātauranga Māori. Keenan tackles racist assumptions and actions of settlers, addressing historical prejudices. The accessible narrative appeals to a broad audience, not just those well-versed in Aotearoa's history.
"The Space Between" is not merely a story; it is an exploration of the human condition, inviting readers to contemplate the difficulties faced by minorities in the aftermath of colonisation. The universal quest for identity and belonging resonate with readers. "Our people are on the brink of losing even more; soon they may have nothing. And what of people like you and me? Will our people ever welcome us? Will we always be in the space between?"
This book is a call to action. Learn more about Aotearoa's history, empathise, and celebrate all that is Māori.
Keenan's "The Space Between" is a compelling narrative that follows the lives of two resilient wāhine, Frances and Matāria, against the tumultuous backdrop of New Plymouth gearing up for civil war. Keenan skillfully alternates perspectives, delving into the complex relationships within Frances' Pākehā settler family and Matāria's struggles with love and familial resentment. Hope binds both women together, undoubtedly reflecting the experiences of many during this time.
The novel's strength lies in its fierce feminism. This is embodied by Matāria's advice to Frances: "A woman should never apologise when she has not done wrong." Keenan challenges the gendered narrative of Aotearoa's colonial history, providing an often overlooked perspective on the experiences of women during this era. Beyond a shared love interest, Henry, the story focuses on women supporting each other for what is right, adding depth to the text. The inclusion of a comprehensive bibliography further enhances the book's value for those seeking additional historical context.
Rooted in Keenan's Master of Arts in Taranaki Māori History, the story unfolds with rich historical detail, powerful storytelling, and a deep understanding of mātauranga Māori. Keenan tackles racist assumptions and actions of settlers, addressing historical prejudices. The accessible narrative appeals to a broad audience, not just those well-versed in Aotearoa's history.
"The Space Between" is not merely a story; it is an exploration of the human condition, inviting readers to contemplate the difficulties faced by minorities in the aftermath of colonisation. The universal quest for identity and belonging resonate with readers. "Our people are on the brink of losing even more; soon they may have nothing. And what of people like you and me? Will our people ever welcome us? Will we always be in the space between?"
This book is a call to action. Learn more about Aotearoa's history, empathise, and celebrate all that is Māori.
February 17, 2024
"Haere whakamua, hoki whakamuri. They could look back but move forward."
This book follows the meeting of two women against the backdrop of imminent war. They live two very different lives but share the same grief at not fitting in, at taking up space on the fringes of their respective worlds. One is a pakeha settler, the daughter of a gentleman, unmarried and beholden to her family; the other is a wahine toa married to a pakeha man, not quite accepted by her whanau, or by the growing settler community. The protagonists have equally complicated relationships with their families. They meet only twice but have a profound impact on each other’s lives.
The narrative is a bit slow to start with, but the pacing fits that build towards the clash of Māori and Crown forces. It deals with complex themes and centres the concerns of women. I would have loved a bit more on the relationship between Matāria and Atarangi (perhaps there is room for a prequel and a sequel).
Obsessed with the use of te reo Māori throughout, and that not everything was translated, encouraging the reader to seek out the meaning themselves to fully understand how words or phrases were being used in context. I found this a relatively easy read, but other readers may find this a distraction.
Special note on the ending: I like an ending that tidies everything up nicely, and this one met that requirement in leaps and bounds.
I really enjoyed this book, not just because I love women’s stories and women’s history (which often must be fictionalised, because the experiences of women were so rarely recorded), but because the story felt really fresh. And timely. The historical note following the story seems even more poignant when contextualised with the goals of our current government.
I definitely recommend this for readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in history of Aotearoa New Zealand (or elder millennials like me who remember absolutely nothing about NZ or modern history).
*This book was provided by Penguin for the purposes of review*
This book follows the meeting of two women against the backdrop of imminent war. They live two very different lives but share the same grief at not fitting in, at taking up space on the fringes of their respective worlds. One is a pakeha settler, the daughter of a gentleman, unmarried and beholden to her family; the other is a wahine toa married to a pakeha man, not quite accepted by her whanau, or by the growing settler community. The protagonists have equally complicated relationships with their families. They meet only twice but have a profound impact on each other’s lives.
The narrative is a bit slow to start with, but the pacing fits that build towards the clash of Māori and Crown forces. It deals with complex themes and centres the concerns of women. I would have loved a bit more on the relationship between Matāria and Atarangi (perhaps there is room for a prequel and a sequel).
Obsessed with the use of te reo Māori throughout, and that not everything was translated, encouraging the reader to seek out the meaning themselves to fully understand how words or phrases were being used in context. I found this a relatively easy read, but other readers may find this a distraction.
Special note on the ending: I like an ending that tidies everything up nicely, and this one met that requirement in leaps and bounds.
I really enjoyed this book, not just because I love women’s stories and women’s history (which often must be fictionalised, because the experiences of women were so rarely recorded), but because the story felt really fresh. And timely. The historical note following the story seems even more poignant when contextualised with the goals of our current government.
I definitely recommend this for readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in history of Aotearoa New Zealand (or elder millennials like me who remember absolutely nothing about NZ or modern history).
*This book was provided by Penguin for the purposes of review*
February 19, 2024
The Space Between highlights life in colonial New Zealand and the tension which existed between the English colonists and Maori which led to the Taranaki War in the 1860's .
The author Lauren Keenan introduces the reader to two women from different backgrounds, who share their story in alternating chapters, as they struggle to find their sense of place.
Frances is from London , living with her mother and brother on a farm near New Plymouth,after Henry, the man she hoped to marry disappeared from her life.
Mataria is a married Maori woman with two children who was held against her will in Taranaki, but is now back living on her family land with her English born husband.
Frances can't believe her eyes when she meets up with Henry in town and learns he is now living nearby and is married to Mataria, with two children .
As the story unfolds the reader learns what has been happening in Henry and Frances's lives in the twelve years since they last met, as well as why there is such tension between Mataria and her sister Atarangi.
Beautfully written this historical novel shares New Zealand's early conflicts between the English and Maori which mainly revolves around land ownership, and is still relevant in todays world. The chapters are short, keeping the story flowing as the author conveys the anguish felt by the two women trying to be accepted into their communities , but feeling as if they would “always be in that space between”
The use of te reo Maori throughout the text was a little challenging for me as I found myself checking the translation. I had just finshed another book using te reo but it had translations at the foot of each page and also at the rear of the book which was helpful.
However I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction especially told from women's point of view, and I feel the author has brought a period of Aotearoa /New Zealand history alive as many of us did not learn of the history while at school .
Thanks to Penguin Books NZ for an advance copy to read and review.
The author Lauren Keenan introduces the reader to two women from different backgrounds, who share their story in alternating chapters, as they struggle to find their sense of place.
Frances is from London , living with her mother and brother on a farm near New Plymouth,after Henry, the man she hoped to marry disappeared from her life.
Mataria is a married Maori woman with two children who was held against her will in Taranaki, but is now back living on her family land with her English born husband.
Frances can't believe her eyes when she meets up with Henry in town and learns he is now living nearby and is married to Mataria, with two children .
As the story unfolds the reader learns what has been happening in Henry and Frances's lives in the twelve years since they last met, as well as why there is such tension between Mataria and her sister Atarangi.
Beautfully written this historical novel shares New Zealand's early conflicts between the English and Maori which mainly revolves around land ownership, and is still relevant in todays world. The chapters are short, keeping the story flowing as the author conveys the anguish felt by the two women trying to be accepted into their communities , but feeling as if they would “always be in that space between”
The use of te reo Maori throughout the text was a little challenging for me as I found myself checking the translation. I had just finshed another book using te reo but it had translations at the foot of each page and also at the rear of the book which was helpful.
However I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction especially told from women's point of view, and I feel the author has brought a period of Aotearoa /New Zealand history alive as many of us did not learn of the history while at school .
Thanks to Penguin Books NZ for an advance copy to read and review.
October 5, 2024
The Space Between is written by Lauren Keenan, my husband’s cousin. The book has a gorgeous cover but I honestly don’t think I would have read it based on the content, if it wasn’t a family members book.
Absolutely loved it from the start. Great characters, well written and I enjoyed learning some NZ history.
The story is based in New Plymouth in the early 1860’s. It’s a clever intertwining of two women’s lives. Frances, born in London, moved to New Zealand after her father passed away and their family’s fortune was lost, their family name disgraced. She lives with her mother and brother and is still struggling with heart ache after being jilted by Henry White her “husband-to-be” 10 years earlier.
Henry is married to Mataria and together with their two children they also live in New Plymouth with his wife’s tribe.
As war threatens between English settlers and iwi Frances and Henry meet again. As their paths cross the rising conflict threatens their lives, their land and their family.
It’s a wonderful story of love, courage and survial. I really enjoyed it!
Absolutely loved it from the start. Great characters, well written and I enjoyed learning some NZ history.
The story is based in New Plymouth in the early 1860’s. It’s a clever intertwining of two women’s lives. Frances, born in London, moved to New Zealand after her father passed away and their family’s fortune was lost, their family name disgraced. She lives with her mother and brother and is still struggling with heart ache after being jilted by Henry White her “husband-to-be” 10 years earlier.
Henry is married to Mataria and together with their two children they also live in New Plymouth with his wife’s tribe.
As war threatens between English settlers and iwi Frances and Henry meet again. As their paths cross the rising conflict threatens their lives, their land and their family.
It’s a wonderful story of love, courage and survial. I really enjoyed it!
March 5, 2024
This book takes us right into the heart of the New Zealand Wars in Taranaki, but it's not just a history lesson. Through the lives of a Māori woman and a Pākehā woman, Keenan dives deep into the mix of cultures and tensions of the time. What's cool is that she doesn't bog us down with too much war stuff – it's more about the personal journeys of these characters, you know? And the way she brings Taranaki to life? It's like you're right there with them.
What really got me was how Keenan uses Te Reo Māori naturally in the story, no awkward translations needed. It's like she trusts us to get it, which is awesome. Overall, "The Space Between" isn't just about history – it's about people, their stories, and how they intersect in a really interesting time. So if you're up for a read that's both insightful and immersive, this one's worth checking out!
Thanks to PenguinRandomHouseNZ for providing me with an advance copy ✨
What really got me was how Keenan uses Te Reo Māori naturally in the story, no awkward translations needed. It's like she trusts us to get it, which is awesome. Overall, "The Space Between" isn't just about history – it's about people, their stories, and how they intersect in a really interesting time. So if you're up for a read that's both insightful and immersive, this one's worth checking out!
Thanks to PenguinRandomHouseNZ for providing me with an advance copy ✨
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