Book Review: Ka Mate: Travels in New Zealand

Book: Ka Mate: Travels in New Zealand

Genre: Travel Narrative / Non-Fiction / Travel Memoir 

Author: Dan Coxon

Cover Critique:

The cover of the book shows a peculiar landscape individualistic to the land of New Zealand, telling a lot about its culture and also shows a glimpse of what is inside the book. I think the cover fits perfectly to the essence of the book and its beautiful colours are a feast for the eyes.

Book Blurb:

The New Zealand All Blacks are one of the most recognisable team franchises in modern sport, and their performance of the Ka Mate haka prior to international matches is known across the globe. But how many of us know anything about the Maori people to whom this haka belongs?

Ka Mate: Travels in New Zealand takes us on a three month journey around New Zealand, through the vineyards, over the glaciers, and across the fields of boiling mud. Freelance journalist and writer Dan Coxon does more than simply entertain us with anecdotes of his travels: he unravels New Zealand's complex history of migration and settlement, and reveals an intriguing story of British colonisation that still has repercussions today. Plus there's time for a rugby match or two along the way.

Review:

What do I look for in a travel book? For me, it should bring “sights and sounds” of the place to me. It should be able to describe the place in such a frank and candid manner which is easy to visualize so I can feel accustomed to the culture and history of that place, when I have not visited it in real. This book does all this perfectly and that too, with “a funny take” on things and events!

The title “Ka Mate” refers to the infamous tribal war dance that the All Blacks rugby team performs at the start of international rugby matches and which is mentioned repeatedly in the book. The book starts like an amusing storybook and not like a plain guide about New Zealand. The author takes us on a spellbinding voyage from North Island to South Island while displaying his queer eye and a quirky sense of humour.

His anecdotes are undoubtedly intriguing but they range from adrenaline-rushing events (like famous rugby matches and bungee jumping) to shocking and strange stories about the native people of New Zealand. At one moment the reader is overwhelmed by the thrilling and modern side of this country and at other times, he gets surprised by the dark and controversial side as the writer brings out the history of migration and settlement of Europeans in the country.

The author delves deep into the Maori culture and tries to know as much as possible about the people belonging to that community and the rumours surrounding them. He does not shy away from explaining his viewpoint of things and events influenced by what he witnesses during his trip. It shows the honesty and straight-forward approach of the writer which is a remarkable trait of being a good writer besides being an adventurous spirit.

The author constantly compares between the climate and landscape of North and South Island. He also brings out references to his Scottish heritage and English landscape. As he says in one of the chapters:

“Given my limited knowledge of New Zealand’s climate, this seemed to make some kind of sense, although privately I suspected that it might be God laughing at whoever named the “Desert Road”. Even England’s Lake District didn’t get rain like this.”

To be honest, I did not have much idea about New Zealand but after reading this book, it made me curious enough to go and visit this place. I am still in awe by its varied landscape where glaciers and volcanoes exist. My favourite chapter in the book is the one which captures the soul of “Christchurch” in all its vibrancy and I could not agree more with the author when he says:

“Strangely though, I found myself liking Christchurch more and more....The hookers, the party pills and the street racers were ugly but at least they showed that the place had a pulse....at least it felt real. I remember Ian’s friend Dave telling me that it was a “shithole”....it turned out that I liked shitholes more than I’d thought....I liked life to be a little rougher around the edges.”

The author’s razor-sharp observations and outlook makes the book stand-out from usual travel literature available on book stands. The book is a must-read for travel enthusiasts, especially sport fans and “Lord of the Rings” movie fans! Due to its simple language and easy-to-understand style, it will attract a wide audience from kids to adults alike.

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

“I would like to thank Dan Coxon for sending me a free paperback of his book, for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. This book is available in e-book format as well. To buy this book on Amazon, click here."

Book Review: Unimagined

Book: Unimagined – A Muslim boy meets the West

Genre: Autobiography/ Contemporary Non-Fiction/ Memoir

Author: Imran Ahmad

Cover critique:

Different covers have been released since the publication of this book in 2007. Even the tag line keeps on changing, to give it an updated look. The cover given above is the one that I have purchased so I thought to use its tagline. Though the most recent title of this book is, "Unimagined: Muhammad, Jesus and James Bond". I like the colour scheme used in the above given cover, red and white, far better than the rest of the covers. The only thing which remains constant in all covers is Imran Ahmad's childhood picture, which I think is a very creative idea for a book of this genre. It is a cute and fun idea to keep the cover interesting unlike other non-fiction book covers. I think all covers are good but I could not help noticing this cover in Indonesian language (Below: Centre). I find it the most apt and convincing (kind of funny too!) for this entertaining and amusing memoir.

Did anyone notice the edited picture with Jaguar XJS (his favourite car) in his hand?
 If you notice closely, it is absent in the rest of the covers!

Review:

The book is about the journey of a Pakistani born Muslim who is brought up in a British culture in the 1960’s. With poignant incidents from his life, told in the most profound and hilarious way possible, this memoir exposes the perspective of a Muslim who learns to find a middle path and a balance between the two contrasting cultures. The chapters unfold his yearning to be counted as a part of the Western society while staying intact with his roots.

As East meets the West, there are colliding notions and preconceptions, in the wake of socio-political identity mayhem whose undercurrents are felt as we read between the lines of his stories. The cultural and religious demarcations get dissolved one by one, as he goes through small yet life-turning events. He recalls the days gone by fondly, while shifting from one stage of his life to another, which result in the development and metamorphosis of his own thoughts and concepts to ultimately achieve an identity for himself in this struggle for “fitting in” the Western society.

The book kicks off with his mother’s extremely difficult labour to finally deliver him into this world, described in just two pages in a filmy manner with the “heavy downpour” and a “splash of humour”. The very beginning sets the reader in the mood for forthcoming adventures and the whimsical overtures of this witty and clever writer. As we learn about his coming “second” in the Karachi Bonnie Baby Contest and his frustration on not winning the well-deserved first prize, he takes us with him to Manchester where his family arrives as “immigrants”. In the most human and gentle way, he paints the excruciating facts of the 60’s and 70’s Britain, needless to say which is quite different from present Britain.

The bigger issues of “racial discrimination”, “international affairs”, “political upheavals and historical events like India-Pakistan war”, “religious misconceptions between Christians and Muslims” are intertwined smartly with the descriptions of his school and college life through smaller issues like “peer pressure”, “jealousy”, “notions of sexuality, love and marriage”. The heaviness of these topics vanishes off with the remarkably funny anecdotes from his past life which made me laugh out loud while turning the pages swiftly to read it in one go.

The vivid memories of his childhood start from getting tricked by junior con artists and losing his precious Tarzan bubble gum cards collection, to participating in the Metropolitan Police school quiz. Getting bullied in the school as a shy kid to becoming a confident boy who passes the entrance exam to the local grammar school, he crosses many u-turns to enter his adult life. The writer goes on to narrate his brief interactions with the opposite sex, the questions which arise in his mind and the innocent answers which he devises, as a result of watching television shows:

“Unfortunately, it wrecks my theory of reproduction.......So, it’s not the getting married that causes pregnancy; it’s the going to bed together. As a result of this act, mind must trigger off the physical process of pregnancy”.

Then we come to know about his utmost desire to look and behave like his favourite hero, James Bond and to own and drive a car which he drives in the movie series, “Jaguar XJS”. As he blatantly writes:

“I have a longing for this kind of persona: that of Simon Templar or James Bond. A handsome and brave adventurer, loved by beautiful women and admired by all.”

The bold and honest approach, with which the writer discloses the secrets of his heart and mind, is truly worth-praising and made me feel that I was reading about a real person with faults and errors. Unlike many memoirs with diplomatic handling and tedious approach, this book served fresh and candid style of writing an autobiography. I was totally engrossed from its first chapter till the last because the writer manages superbly in generalizing his story with so many of us, so that we can relate to his life. It is indeed a thought-provoking book which can be read on many levels. Being born and bred in Pakistan and living in England, the book helped me gain an insight into globalization and the constantly changing face of British as well as Muslim culture.

The book is thin with its short and crisp chapters but contains thick matter, especially if one likes to dissect the psychological ramifications of experiences in one’s life. I could not find any negative points as there is not a single dull moment and one rarely stumbles upon such a great piece of literature. It is going in my “favourite books collection” as I will surely be reading it again and again. As it is both enjoyable and mind-boggling, I would highly recommend it! 

To buy this book, click here.

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

 

About the Author:

Imran Ahmad is an impressive public speaker and has appeared on many media platforms such as BBC television, Sky television, SBS television (Australia), Voice of America television, Press TV, National Public Radio, BBC radio (many times), Radio Australia, and ABC Radio National (Australia). Besides writing his successful memoir, he has travelled all over the world as part of his corporate career. Want to know more about the author? Then go to his website by clicking here.