It's early 1860 in Ngamotu New Plymouth and the highly contentious purchase of the Waitara Block is being finalised. Pākehā are building stockades around the settlement and militia are pouring in. Māori and Europeans know war between them is imminent. These weeks before the outbreak of the Taranaki Wars act as a historical backdrop to Lauren Keenan's novel.
The novel explores the circumstances of two women, Matāria/Minnie White and Frances Farrington, and also Henry White, husband of Matāria and ex-suitor of Frances, who connects them. Both women are unloved outsiders in Ngāmotu: Matāria has returned after years as a slave for a Waikato iwi and Frances - a spinster with no dowry - is a recent arrival from London.
The exploration of this liminal space, and how it affects the two women's daily domestic lives, is one of the novel's strengths. "I know you say the land is your place," another freed slave tells Matāria. "But we're on our land right now and we are not free.
THE SPACE BETWEEN
by Lauren Keenan (Penguin)
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
