A very marvellous novel of epic proportions which lends depth to a historic figure and what he experienced upon leaving his native land and entering a world radically different from his own.

I, personally, couldn't fault this novel. Read it, and then read it again if you are a purveyor of historic fiction. ( )

This book is beautifully presented, featuring a not often seen painting of Paratene Te Manu by Gottfried Lindauer. The story opens with Paratene's sitting for the artist who is soon to leave New Zealand for England.
Paratene recalls his own trip to England some twenty years earlier.
The purpose of the trip was for a group of Rangatira, Maori chiefs to see England and some of its great factories, palaces, churches and schools. They would see the riches and wonders of this place and learn their language. People would assemble to hear them speak of their customs and old ways. In other words a sharing of cultures. An all expeses paid trip.
The offer came at a time when Paratene was grieving for the loss of his son and brother and his wife had died six years earlier. He wanted to sail away as far as possible.
The trip was arduous, three months in steerage with stale food. Their experiences in England varied widely from meeting the Queen in her sumptuous surroundings to being treated as sideshow freaks.
I enjoyed the early part of the narrative but found a certain repetitiveness to many of their encounters in England. Paratene's narrative voice becomes a constant litany of complaints against his travelling companions, their experiences and the accomodation provided. Maybe this is an accurate portrayal of the group's visit as it deteriorates into poverty, mistrust and humiliation, however my level of enjoyment became diminished accordingly. It will be interesting to see if it wins this years NZ Post Award for which it has been shortlisted. ( )

Auckland, June 1886. Ngati Wai chief Paratene Te Manu spends long sessions, over three long days, having his portrait painted by the Bohemian painter Gottfried Lindauer. Hearing of Lindauer's planned trip to England reminds him of his own journey there, twenty years earlier, with a party of northern rangatira. As he sits for Lindauer, Paratene retreats deeper and deeper into the past, from the triumphs in London and their meetings with royalty to the disintegration of the visit into poverty, mistrust, and humiliation. Based on a true story. ( )