On colonialism and tikanga and the smoke in the sky.

Becky Manawatu's first novel is a story about kids and gangs and curdled masculinity. About serendipity, and taniwha, and resilience. It begins with Taukiri dropping his little brother Arama at their uncle and aunt's place. 

We continue our occasional - and occasionally insanely depressing - series which investigates whether literature exists in the provinces. Becky Manawatu looks for signs of bookish life in Westport.