Three cousins, Missy, Mata and Makareta spend a short time together as children before going on to live separate lives. Each woman’s story is different and their experiences as Māori women and connections with culture greatly vary. Grace uses these experiences to showcase different social and political experiences of the women. 

I struggled a great deal at the start of this book, unclear of when it was set, whether it was contemporary to 1992 when it was published, or starting earlier, and if so, when. But as time continued I found myself drawn further and further into the story and more connected with the cousins and their experiences. I think this is one that I’ll find more connecting as a reread at a later date hopefully!