How do you understand the book’s title? Can you think of a different one?

What kinds of gender dynamics are shown in the story? What role does heteronormativity play in the novel? What about nonconformist identities?

How are women depicted in the novel? Do the female characters in The Bone People fit in with women from other novels of that period? How are they similar or different?

Historic & Literary Period

Colonialism & Postcolonialism

College

Colonialism Unit

Race & Ethnicity

Indigenous People's Literature

Fiction

Magical Realism

Awards

The Booker Prizes Awardees & Honorees

Book Events

Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love

Keri Hulme

Adult

Novel

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Bone People reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Bone People

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Bone People and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Bone People Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Season of the Day Moon”

Prologue-Part 1

The Bone People Prologue-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Sea Round”

Part 2 The Bone People Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Lightning Struck Tower”

Part 3 The Bone People Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Feldapart Sinews, Breaken Bones”

Part 4 The Bone People Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue

The Bone People Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Bone People Character Analysis

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Themes

The Bone People Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Bone People Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Bone People Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Bone People Essay Topics

The Bone People

Essay Topics

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