Telling it how he sees it.
Alan Duff was born in Rotorua in 1950. He has written novels,
including Once Were Warriors, One Night Out Stealing and What
Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, a novella (State Ward), several
children's books and a number of non-fiction works. Once Were
Warriors won the Pen Best First Book of Fiction Award and What
Becomes of the Broken Hearted? won the Montana New Zealand Book
Award for Fiction. Both novels were made into internationally
acclaimed films.
Duff was the driving force behind the Books in Homes scheme, which,
with commercial sponsorship and government support, aims to break
the cycle of illiteracy, poverty, anger and violence among
underprivileged children by providing books for them to own.
The New Zealand Listener claimed that Duff's debut, Once Were
Warriors, 'bursts upon the literary landscape with all the noise
and power of a new volcano', while acclaimed writer Witi Ihimaera
wrote, 'This is the Haka, the rage of a people who, yes, once were
warriors . . . A kick to the guts of New Zealand's much-vaunted
pride in its Maori/Pakeha race relations. A breathless fearless
debut.'
The Sydney Morning Herald regarded the sequel, What Becomes of the
Broken Hearted?, as 'a masterpiece'- 'powerful, authentic, moving,
brilliantly written . . . a profound and passionate novel . . . a
memorable experience'. The Australian praised its 'universal truths
to be savoured for their poetic insight', while the Canberra Times
called it 'a brilliant work . . . poetic and full of hope'.
The New Zealand Listener wrote that What Becomes of the Broken
Hearted? 'carries the story on with doubled brilliance. The new
book is just as dynamic, just as in-your-face as the first one, but
less violent, more layered, more fundamentally thoughtful and
challenging.'
Ask a Question About this Product More... |