Keri Hulme
Keri Hulme
Full Name and Common Aliases
Keri Hulme was a New Zealand novelist, best known for her debut novel _The Bone People_, which won the Booker Prize in 1985. Her full name is Kerewin Holmes, but she is more commonly known by her pen name, Keri Hulme.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 9, 1947, in Stratford, New Zealand, Keri Hulme passed away on February 27, 2001, at the age of 53 due to complications from cancer.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Hulme was a New Zealand citizen by birth and profession. She is best known as a novelist, but she also worked as an artist, a chef, and a gardener throughout her life.
Early Life and Background
Keri Hulme grew up in the rural town of Stratford, where she developed a strong connection to nature and the outdoors. Her early life was marked by both beauty and hardship. She suffered from physical disabilities and had limited formal education due to her family's financial struggles. However, this did not hinder her creative spirit or intellectual curiosity.
Hulme's love for art, literature, and music was evident from an early age. She spent much of her childhood reading and drawing, often using the natural world as inspiration for her work. Her experiences growing up in a small town with close-knit community ties had a profound impact on her writing style and perspective.
Major Accomplishments
Keri Hulme's most notable achievement is undoubtedly winning the Booker Prize for _The Bone People_ in 1985. This novel, which tells the story of three outsiders brought together by fate and shared experiences, marked a significant turning point in New Zealand literature. It not only showcased Hulme's unique writing style but also shed light on the country's often-overlooked indigenous culture.
Hulme's work has been widely praised for its innovative narrative structure, vivid descriptions of nature, and exploration of themes such as identity, community, and social justice. Her writing style, which blends elements of poetry and prose, has been described as "lyrical" and "evocative."
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to _The Bone People_, Hulme wrote several other novels, including _Stone Canoe_ (1994) and _Bait_ (2005). Her work often explores themes of identity, community, and social justice, frequently incorporating elements of New Zealand's indigenous culture.
Hulme was also a passionate advocate for the preservation of Maori language and culture. She worked tirelessly to promote awareness about the importance of these aspects of New Zealand heritage, both through her writing and in public speaking engagements.
Impact and Legacy
Keri Hulme's impact on New Zealand literature is undeniable. Her unique writing style, which blends elements of poetry and prose, has inspired a new generation of writers and artists. Her exploration of themes such as identity, community, and social justice has helped to shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of New Zealand culture.
Hulme's legacy extends beyond her literary achievements. She was an outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights, particularly in regards to Maori issues. Her commitment to preserving indigenous culture and promoting awareness about its importance continues to inspire change and activism today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Keri Hulme is widely quoted or remembered due to her innovative writing style, which has been praised for its lyricism and evocativeness. Her exploration of themes such as identity, community, and social justice has made her a significant figure in New Zealand literature.
Hulme's commitment to promoting awareness about Maori culture and language continues to inspire change and activism today. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving indigenous heritage and promoting understanding between cultures.
Quotes by Keri Hulme
I have a grasshopper and haphazard mind y’know, a brain that listens to all sorts of things as well as itself.
Betelgeuse, Achenar. Orion. Aquila. Centre the Cross and you have a steady compass. But there’s no compass for my ever disoriented soul, only ever beckoning ghost lights. In the one sure direction, to the one sure end.
Through poverty, godhunger, the family debacle, I kept a sense of worth. I could limn and paint like no-one else in this human-wounded land: I was worth the while of living. Now my skill is dead. I should be.
There really is no place like home, even when it’s grown a couple of sizes too small...
It’s the possibility that when you’re dead you might still go on hurting that bothers me.
Why? is the boy’s motto, why does, why is, why not? Food, weather, time, fires, sea and season, clothes and cars and people; it’s all grist to the mill of why.
I have faced Death. I have been caught in the wild weed tangles of Her hair, seen the gleam of her jade eyes. I will go when it is time – no choice! – but now I want life.
I am in limbo, and in limbo there are no races, no prizes, no changes, no chances. There are merely degrees of endurance, and endurance never was my strong point.