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Maori
A thrilling historical novel that follows an English family through five decades of passion, adventure, war, and upheaval in the breathtaking wilderness of nineteenth-century New Zealand
The only son of a poor British coal miner, Robert Coffin sets sail for the far ends of the Earth in search of his fortune, leaving his young bride and infant child behind in England. In the sordid and dangerous South Pacific port of Kororareka, on the sprawling island the native Maori call “the Land of the Long White Cloud,” Coffin builds a successful new life as a merchant. He gains an unwavering respect for the aboriginal people and their culture, and finds comfort in the arms of his fiery Irish mistress, Mary.
But the unexpected arrival of a China-bound clipper bearing his wife, Holly, and son, Christopher, throws Coffin’s world into turmoil—compounded by the ever-increasing tension between the Maori tribes and the mistrusted “pakehas” who are plundering their land. As the years of a volatile nineteenth century progress, the indomitable family of the stalwart adventurer the Maori have named “Iron Hair” will struggle, sacrifice, and endure through war, chaos, catastrophe, and change.
The only son of a poor British coal miner, Robert Coffin sets sail for the far ends of the Earth in search of his fortune, leaving his young bride and infant child behind in England. In the sordid and dangerous South Pacific port of Kororareka, on the sprawling island the native Maori call “the Land of the Long White Cloud,” Coffin builds a successful new life as a merchant. He gains an unwavering respect for the aboriginal people and their culture, and finds comfort in the arms of his fiery Irish mistress, Mary.
But the unexpected arrival of a China-bound clipper bearing his wife, Holly, and son, Christopher, throws Coffin’s world into turmoil—compounded by the ever-increasing tension between the Maori tribes and the mistrusted “pakehas” who are plundering their land. As the years of a volatile nineteenth century progress, the indomitable family of the stalwart adventurer the Maori have named “Iron Hair” will struggle, sacrifice, and endure through war, chaos, catastrophe, and change.
616 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1988
438 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Alan Dean Foster
501 books2,041 followersBestselling science fiction writer Alan Dean Foster was born in New York City in 1946, but raised mainly in California. He received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 1968, and a M.F.A. in 1969. Foster lives in Arizona with his wife, but he enjoys traveling because it gives him opportunities to meet new people and explore new places and cultures. This interest is carried over to his writing, but with a twist: the new places encountered in his books are likely to be on another planet, and the people may belong to an alien race.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 14, 2011
It's the first I've read about the Maori and the story which is a blend of fact and fiction flows so well. I was a bit worried as the reviewers I saw rated it 3 stars but for me that means I liked the book. It is certainly worth reading. Believed by many of the settlers in New Zealand to be ignorant heathen, the intelligence exhibited by both individuals and the tribes seems quite complex. The role of Maori beliefs in their gods is fascinating. The eruption of Mount Terawera was fortold by a 104-year-old Maori tunga named Tuhuto who was rescued after being buried by ash and mud. His rescue and death is recorded in the country's historical records as is the sighting of the death canoe prior to the eruption. This read makes one want to read much more about the Maori. What a fascinating tribe of people! And Foster weaves a story of the whites who settled the area around the Maori, using one family as a primary focus.
February 7, 2017
ENTERTAINING AND ENLIGHTENING.
“The Maoris are as adept at lying, […] as they are at making war.” (Kindle Locations 1049-1050)
Although never quite rising to the level of epic storytelling of a Follett, a Michener, a Clavell, or a Rutherfurd novel; Alan Dean Foster’s historical novel, Maori, is nonetheless entertaining and enlightening, with very engaging characters.
I was hoping to learn just a bit more about the Maori civilization/culture, though. I was disappointed that Foster’s story seemed to dwell more on the culture/habits of the white, European settlers; than it did on the New Zealand natives of the title.
A couple facets of the Maori character/history I did find interesting, however. In addition to their love of, and abilities at, warring; they also seemed to have been skilled negotiators/traders—equal to, sometimes superior to, the Europeans. They were also the only native culture of the era to fight their European colonizers to a stalemate:
“They [troops of the British Empire] were unable to understand how a few natives had managed to battle His Majesty’s regiments to a standstill. Why, India alone contained hundreds of times as many heathen, and India was firmly under control. Impossible to believe this petty rebellion of Polynesians had continued for so long.” (Kindle Locations 4326-4328)
Bully for them.
Recommendation: Maori: A Novel is certainly an entertaining and informative read, and I liked it. You might, too.
“The Maori must be taught his destiny does not lie in defiance but in cooperation. If he will not cooperate voluntarily, he must be instructed on how to behave.” (Kindle Locations 3406-3407).
Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy. Kindle Edition, 9,053 Kindle Locations, 504 pages.
“The Maoris are as adept at lying, […] as they are at making war.” (Kindle Locations 1049-1050)
Although never quite rising to the level of epic storytelling of a Follett, a Michener, a Clavell, or a Rutherfurd novel; Alan Dean Foster’s historical novel, Maori, is nonetheless entertaining and enlightening, with very engaging characters.
I was hoping to learn just a bit more about the Maori civilization/culture, though. I was disappointed that Foster’s story seemed to dwell more on the culture/habits of the white, European settlers; than it did on the New Zealand natives of the title.
A couple facets of the Maori character/history I did find interesting, however. In addition to their love of, and abilities at, warring; they also seemed to have been skilled negotiators/traders—equal to, sometimes superior to, the Europeans. They were also the only native culture of the era to fight their European colonizers to a stalemate:
“They [troops of the British Empire] were unable to understand how a few natives had managed to battle His Majesty’s regiments to a standstill. Why, India alone contained hundreds of times as many heathen, and India was firmly under control. Impossible to believe this petty rebellion of Polynesians had continued for so long.” (Kindle Locations 4326-4328)
Bully for them.
Recommendation: Maori: A Novel is certainly an entertaining and informative read, and I liked it. You might, too.
“The Maori must be taught his destiny does not lie in defiance but in cooperation. If he will not cooperate voluntarily, he must be instructed on how to behave.” (Kindle Locations 3406-3407).
Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy. Kindle Edition, 9,053 Kindle Locations, 504 pages.
September 4, 2021
Maori, Alan Dean Foster, rtc
August 3, 2021
2.5 stars
Misleading title, unlikable main character, needless melodrama -- one character falls into a coma when they receive some bad news
Misleading title, unlikable main character, needless melodrama -- one character falls into a coma when they receive some bad news
November 18, 2020
I really like Alan Dean Foster and usually like his books. This one was, well, such a rehash of white men invade a country, takes a mistress, wife arrives with kid in hand, man is an arse, natives fight and lose, white men change history to suit their story. It is a well written book with a very tired story.
to-read-library-has
October 13, 2015I got sidetracked with other books, and never got the interest to pick this up again, and now it is due back at the library. I will try another day.
June 19, 2019
My thoughts on purchasing this book. "Oh look. A book about the Maori. I don't know much about them. How's about I pick up this one? It says 'Maori' right there on the cover."
It should have been called British Bro's Wild New Zealand Ride. It's all from the perspective of the British colonists. Details about the Maori traditions and way of life were sprinkled meagerly throughout the story and were the only things keeping me interested in this plodding soap opera.
I didn't like the main character, Robert Coffin. So he's got a wife in England, but he hangs around New Zealand for the whaling industry, and oh by the way, he's got an Irish mistress and two whole children by her. But then his English wife comes by and he drops the Irish woman. To his credit, at least he wants to set her and the children up somewhere for him to take care of financially. But then he just dips out when she had the audacity to get mad at him. How dare she?
Then, years later, he happens to exchange glances with the daughter of a Maori chief and they immediately fall in love, and he knocks her up. But she's even better than the poor Irish woman because she's totally fine with being kept as a servant in one of his houses. Finally. Robert Coffin got the bang maid he always wanted.
At the very least, he got what he deserved in the end. And by that, I mean he was sad. Oh, and Mount Tarawera erupts, which really did happen in real life. The end.
Next time I want to read about the Maori, I'll pick a book actually written by a Maori.
It should have been called British Bro's Wild New Zealand Ride. It's all from the perspective of the British colonists. Details about the Maori traditions and way of life were sprinkled meagerly throughout the story and were the only things keeping me interested in this plodding soap opera.
I didn't like the main character, Robert Coffin. So he's got a wife in England, but he hangs around New Zealand for the whaling industry, and oh by the way, he's got an Irish mistress and two whole children by her. But then his English wife comes by and he drops the Irish woman. To his credit, at least he wants to set her and the children up somewhere for him to take care of financially. But then he just dips out when she had the audacity to get mad at him. How dare she?
Then, years later, he happens to exchange glances with the daughter of a Maori chief and they immediately fall in love, and he knocks her up. But she's even better than the poor Irish woman because she's totally fine with being kept as a servant in one of his houses. Finally. Robert Coffin got the bang maid he always wanted.
At the very least, he got what he deserved in the end. And by that, I mean he was sad. Oh, and Mount Tarawera erupts, which really did happen in real life. The end.
Next time I want to read about the Maori, I'll pick a book actually written by a Maori.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2021
I'm a bit mystified as to why this book is called "Maori" when it should have been called something like "How New Zealand Was Settled by the White Man." I think that would have been much more descriptive of the novel, which around one white man and his white wife, Irish "fallen woman," and Maori servant/mistress.
I did learn a lot that I didn't know about the early invasion and pacification of the Maori land, and an overview of the history of the early years. So far so good.
However, I was hoping to learn a lot more about Maori civilization/culture, both before the pakeha (White man) and after--throughout the wars, up to what happened when the White man won. There are references to the racism and classism of the times, a tidbit here and there of the Maori culture vs Western European culture, which was somewhere between tense and outright warring at any given time.
Maori: A Novel is not great literature but it's easily read and the story he weaves is usually interesting and sometimes quite surprising, just when you least expect it.
I did learn a lot that I didn't know about the early invasion and pacification of the Maori land, and an overview of the history of the early years. So far so good.
However, I was hoping to learn a lot more about Maori civilization/culture, both before the pakeha (White man) and after--throughout the wars, up to what happened when the White man won. There are references to the racism and classism of the times, a tidbit here and there of the Maori culture vs Western European culture, which was somewhere between tense and outright warring at any given time.
Maori: A Novel is not great literature but it's easily read and the story he weaves is usually interesting and sometimes quite surprising, just when you least expect it.
November 25, 2017
Ok Read
The first half, while informative, droned on regarding the war. The time sequences were awkward. The protagonist was unlikable. For these reasons I did not enjoy this book as I might have. The one thing it does do is develope a respect for the Maori, which was the intent.
The first half, while informative, droned on regarding the war. The time sequences were awkward. The protagonist was unlikable. For these reasons I did not enjoy this book as I might have. The one thing it does do is develope a respect for the Maori, which was the intent.
January 24, 2024
Had some good views into New Zealand history but the clear fawning over the Maori paganism was off putting. Writing was typical emotive narrative style but not exclusively so nor obnoxiously so. I don't regret the listen but I wouldn't have missed anything by not listening
March 10, 2023
A western colonial view with an unlikeable protagonist.
January 26, 2017
This is NOT a fantasy or science-fiction novel. This is a historical drama. It just was written by a guy who typically writes science-fiction and fantasy.
Please don’t get me wrong. I still enjoyed this book quite a lot. Foster does some excellent character development. I felt invested in all of their struggles; reading about them was like watching an acclaimed television drama. I enjoyed being a part of their lives, and seeing their interactions with one another. It slogs for about 50 pages in the middle where you are just kicking yourself for Foster and his protagonists to “get on with it already!” but that hump aside, it was a quick and pleasant read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical dramas, especially about European expansion and encroaching on native populations.
Please don’t get me wrong. I still enjoyed this book quite a lot. Foster does some excellent character development. I felt invested in all of their struggles; reading about them was like watching an acclaimed television drama. I enjoyed being a part of their lives, and seeing their interactions with one another. It slogs for about 50 pages in the middle where you are just kicking yourself for Foster and his protagonists to “get on with it already!” but that hump aside, it was a quick and pleasant read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical dramas, especially about European expansion and encroaching on native populations.
October 27, 2023
Scored 1 star because no lower score is possible.
This book is absolute trash.
I have been a fan of Alan Dean Foster's writing and still Crystal of the Mind's Eye an unrecognised classic. So imagine my disappointment at Maori.
Apart from the fact that there is a nation named Aotearoa New Zealand south of Australia that was settled by the British in the early 1800s, there is little true or accurate in this book. It is not an alternative history nor is it a historical novel because so much of the history is wrong.
It is poorly written, with many abandoned plot lines, and is not much more than a rehash of John Carter of Mars or Avatar without the anti-gravity islands.
The really sad thing is that even a little basic research would have revealed stories far richer and worth telling than the mush in this book.
This review is of the Audible edition. The reading is poor with no Attempt to pronounce Te Reo Māori words properly and with the worst ever faked accents. If you'd like an Audible book with great Te Reo pronunciation and Kiwi accents, please look for Parihaka Woman - don't waste your time with Maori...
This book is absolute trash.
I have been a fan of Alan Dean Foster's writing and still Crystal of the Mind's Eye an unrecognised classic. So imagine my disappointment at Maori.
Apart from the fact that there is a nation named Aotearoa New Zealand south of Australia that was settled by the British in the early 1800s, there is little true or accurate in this book. It is not an alternative history nor is it a historical novel because so much of the history is wrong.
It is poorly written, with many abandoned plot lines, and is not much more than a rehash of John Carter of Mars or Avatar without the anti-gravity islands.
The really sad thing is that even a little basic research would have revealed stories far richer and worth telling than the mush in this book.
This review is of the Audible edition. The reading is poor with no Attempt to pronounce Te Reo Māori words properly and with the worst ever faked accents. If you'd like an Audible book with great Te Reo pronunciation and Kiwi accents, please look for Parihaka Woman - don't waste your time with Maori...
August 6, 2019
Fictionalized history of the European invasion of New Zealand. Engaging, fascinating and broadly told. I learned a lot in reading this.
One need only look around to see how humans have treated this planet and its indigenous peoples with self-serving disregard for the rights of other living things. Our greed shoves our principles into the back of the storage closet and drives us to do unthinkable things to our planet and its occupants. The hypocrisy is not lost on me as I sit writing in my comfortable home made of trees, warmed by fossil fuels. However, following the mantra of ‘living simply so others may simply live’ would go a long way in curbing our hideous overconsumption. We could still redeem that conquering, controlling segment of humanity by just learning how to play well with and respect others—be they 2-legged, 4-legged, feathered, scaled, shelled or barked beings.
One need only look around to see how humans have treated this planet and its indigenous peoples with self-serving disregard for the rights of other living things. Our greed shoves our principles into the back of the storage closet and drives us to do unthinkable things to our planet and its occupants. The hypocrisy is not lost on me as I sit writing in my comfortable home made of trees, warmed by fossil fuels. However, following the mantra of ‘living simply so others may simply live’ would go a long way in curbing our hideous overconsumption. We could still redeem that conquering, controlling segment of humanity by just learning how to play well with and respect others—be they 2-legged, 4-legged, feathered, scaled, shelled or barked beings.
August 18, 2021
I defer to the previous review by Kahurangi C that this book has historical inaccuracies. Having said that, I enjoyed learning about New Zealand's early European settlers: why they came, where they settled, how they interacted with the Maoris. On my first visit to NZ I toured the 1840 Waitangi Treaty Grounds and was left with the impression that peace was established early and maintained thereafter. This book shows that wasn't the case. The central story is average entertainment but it was the background that intrigued me. NZ is a beautiful, diverse country and I'd like to read more about it and the Maoris.
May 17, 2020
This book is what you expect - white men, natives, a clash between their cultures. It is not up to par with other epics I have read. It is a sum of facts overrun by fiction. There were some interesting parts about the Maori culture but it was mainly about English settlers and greed. I found that most of the characters had a violent ending. When I attempted to anticipate where the story was heading, I was always on the wrong track. The story moves along at a fast pace, right up to a disaster at the end.
August 16, 2020
Interesting historical novel
The story started out interesting. However my desire to know the outcome propelled me forward rather than the character development. I skimmed more than a few pages to move past parts of the book. The English arrogant way of thinking is offensive to me but reproduced accurately for the novel. I wanted to know more about many of the other characters and found the main character, Coffin, stale as the story progressed rather than more complex and interesting. Now I want to explore what was factual about the settling of New Zealand.
The story started out interesting. However my desire to know the outcome propelled me forward rather than the character development. I skimmed more than a few pages to move past parts of the book. The English arrogant way of thinking is offensive to me but reproduced accurately for the novel. I wanted to know more about many of the other characters and found the main character, Coffin, stale as the story progressed rather than more complex and interesting. Now I want to explore what was factual about the settling of New Zealand.
July 10, 2017
Anyone thinking of traveling to New Zealand, or just interested in its history, would get a lot out of reading this book. Gives you a good idea of the differences between Europeans and Maori, the general topography and dangers ( like tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes) and the overall culture. It was all contained in an historical work of fiction, with great characters with whom you could easily relate. Good read!
December 8, 2019
Enlightening summary of the history of New Zealand
A good summary of a family growing in a expanding of the British world. The Anglo European culture altered the face of many areas of the world. It also opened the door to integrating other cultures and languages. That is why English is so dense in its vocabulary. Enjoy the story and look deeper into the native culture of New Zealand. It has insights for you to discover for your life.
A good summary of a family growing in a expanding of the British world. The Anglo European culture altered the face of many areas of the world. It also opened the door to integrating other cultures and languages. That is why English is so dense in its vocabulary. Enjoy the story and look deeper into the native culture of New Zealand. It has insights for you to discover for your life.
February 1, 2020
Unforgettable
This historical fiction, while not chronologically accurate according to “those in the know”, has breathed new life into the time honored tales of rags to riches, scorned to lauded. An intriguing history, however much fictional, written with depth and adventure. I loved every word.
This historical fiction, while not chronologically accurate according to “those in the know”, has breathed new life into the time honored tales of rags to riches, scorned to lauded. An intriguing history, however much fictional, written with depth and adventure. I loved every word.
October 29, 2021
Overall a good read but I agree with earlier reviewer that there are some glaring factual errors that any kiwi would know, such a logging kauri trees in the South Island. Some of the conversations among characters are also a bit stilted. Plot is very similar to Wilbur Smith and Ken Follett novels, but since I liked those I did enjoy this one.
October 3, 2023
An historical drama about which is not really my preferred genre. A long book, interesting at times and boring at others. Not my genre but interesting enough to listen to but if I had been reading it I would not have finished it. It would have been on my DNF list but it was on audio so I could let it play while I exercised.
May 10, 2024
Packed with history
An engaging story that didn't leave me whether I was reading it or not. I love reading a well-written book, especially a longer one. I'm so looking forward to reading more of his work, and to think I did not know of him once I found how much he's authored over the years. I feel like I hit the jackpot.
An engaging story that didn't leave me whether I was reading it or not. I love reading a well-written book, especially a longer one. I'm so looking forward to reading more of his work, and to think I did not know of him once I found how much he's authored over the years. I feel like I hit the jackpot.
October 5, 2017
It’s a good way to get interested in NZ history; a decent read, but a bit “eh” (for lack of a better term) on the actual narrative. Rather than feeling engaged by the plot, I found myself researching the various events mentioned throughout the plot
December 26, 2018
Another of my favorites
New author for me. Very well written. Just the right amount of everything. I don't usually stray from reading non-fiction unless it is historical fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed this.
New author for me. Very well written. Just the right amount of everything. I don't usually stray from reading non-fiction unless it is historical fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed this.
July 6, 2019
I have enjoyed books by Alan Dean Foster for many years and this was no exception. There were details in the story I wanted to know more about, but that is just my own curiosity being peaked. I was a little bothered at the several misspellings in the story though.
December 7, 2019
This felt like two separate books. The first half was engaging, filled with interesting history about NZ life in the mid 19th century. The second half focused mainly on one family where most of the events felt contrived.
January 16, 2020
History learned
The book is a great story from which one can learn some history few would consider learning about. I always enjoy looking up the historical facts while I read the story. The author keeps you from being bored while you read and learn.
The book is a great story from which one can learn some history few would consider learning about. I always enjoy looking up the historical facts while I read the story. The author keeps you from being bored while you read and learn.
March 21, 2020
While not the best historical research this story was interesting and held my attention. I always check for the real historical facts when I read historical fiction. This author is better at the fiction.
May 2, 2020
New Zealand
Wonderful historical story of before. From whaling in Russell to the building of Auckland. Maori pakeha wars. Love and Lost. Rotorua. Tarawera......
Thoroughly enjoyed
Wonderful historical story of before. From whaling in Russell to the building of Auckland. Maori pakeha wars. Love and Lost. Rotorua. Tarawera......
Thoroughly enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews