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Maori

A Novel

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Maori

By: Alan Dean Foster
Narrated by: Bruce Mann
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About this listen

A sweeping historical novel set in 19th-century New Zealand from the New York Times best-selling author.

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 19th 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.

©1988 Alan Dean Foster (P)2019 Tantor Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction World Literature England China
All stars
Most relevant
What a fantastic audio book.
Being a New Zealander of Maaori extraction .I had spent a lot of my youth around the Rotorua region ergo knew of a lot of places in this story.
I enjoyed listening to the narrators accent and " Pakeha" pronunciations of the difficult NZ amd Maaori accents he did a fantastic job.
The story was riveting with intrigue and action throughput
I would recommend this to my friends and family .kudos to the author hos team and the narrator .

Brilliant

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This would have been a lot more entertaining if they just used a more engaging reader. The reader put a dull aspect on the listening experience. Quite painful to plod along with. The story is quite good. The reader is dry, monotonous and bleak for the entire story. His Maori accents may have been better not attempted.

Good story, boring reader

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the pronunciation of the maori words is offensive, the reader should have taken time to learn it.

poor

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The narrator nailed the English accent. His interpretations of the Maori locals made them sound like Indians.
When using Maori words spoken by Maori people he butchered the pronunciation.

I got a few hours in and I can’t do anymore. This story deserves a better performance.

The performance is horrible

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The story is extraordinary, well researched, entertaining and culturally accurate but as a New Zealander myself I really struggled with the narration. The mispronunciation of so much of the Maori language and place names was cringeworthy.

Amazing Story

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.