Navigating the Stars

There is so much richness in this book I think I'll have to read it several times over . . . When you're reading this book you feel as though you are an active listener, you're sitting in the room and you hear all these voices inform the tale . . . I appreciate these interruptions because sometimes they're so funny . . . it's beautiful . . . the story is layered in so many different ways . . . I think that it's something that everyone should have in their library.

Michelle Rahurahu Scott, Radio NZ

It's a beautiful book that would look great in a Christmas stocking

Jesse Mulligan, Radio NZ

This is a beautiful book. Beautiful in its construction: the stunning cover art, the sturdy hardback, the end pages, the illustrations, photos, feel of the paper; beautiful in its contents: the strength and warmth of Witi Ihimaera’s narration; his cheekiness; his “right-there-at-your-shoulder-as-you-read” voice which weaves around you; the complexity of eons-old stories told as a parent to a child – with humour, with warning, with contemplation, and with authority. For me, the test of how good a book is, is measured by a) my need to keep it handy b) the impulse to underline, write out, photograph and send out key phrases on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, email and c) how much I grow as a result of my encounter. Navigating the Stars hits my trifecta. . . . Exciting stuff and classic Ihimaera skill: brilliant writing that rivals a Tolkien Mordor battle scene. . . . Nga mihi nui, e pa. Thank you, Witi (and nga mihi ki to papa as well). I am filled to over-flowing with the feasting on your korero; your voice is still singing in my ear. To everyone, everyone else: buy this book. Buy two – one to keep and one to gift. Whether you read Navigating the Stars cover to cover (recommended), or dip in and out as guided by the index (also recommended), you will not regret your reading journey.

T. K Roxborogh, Kete.co.nz

This is a book the author felt he was meant to create. He spreads out a rich blend of fact, fiction, and imaginary tales, including religion and much philosophy. There is nothing stilted or stiff about the writing. It is a very contemporary view of the Creation Myths of Maori, from an authentic point of view. The book is written like a script. It is easily followed, offering opinion and philosophical answers. It invites questions and offers answers to the source of the origin of Maori from Hawaiiki. The book reads rather like an open discussion where one can interrupt, to offer different opinions, but it outlines throughout the pages, the understanding of the basis of culture, from a modern, intelligent point of view. . . . This is not a heavy read. It is light hearted but provocative, carrying a depth of feeling and many messages. It will appeal to younger readers, better than previous heavy tomes about the “Coming of the Maori.” I recommend this to readers who want a fresh view of traditional Maori myths and legends, interpreted for the modern mind, as they try to understand their place in the world.

Sonia Edwards, nzbooklovers