I expect this powerful debut novel to generate as much buzz as Auē did two years ago, and rightly so. The Bone Tree is a remarkable, confronting New Zealand story, opening the reader’s eyes to characters who are on the margins of society, raised in poverty, and have a deep mistrust in the systems that are meant to protect them. It considers the question of how we can best protect the ones we love. It is beautiful, heart-breaking, and stayed in my thoughts for many days after I finished reading. The Bone Tree is an important read for New Zealanders and I will be recommending to everyone.