This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Once Were Warriors

   

   Set in a gritty urban landscape, this powerful narrative delves into the lives of a Maori family struggling with poverty, violence, and cultural dislocation in New Zealand. The story centers around the Heke family, particularly the matriarch Beth, who battles to keep her family together amidst the chaos of her husband's alcoholism and the societal pressures that threaten to tear them apart. Through raw and unflinching prose, the novel explores themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

   The 3069th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?

   A Sequel to Once Were Warriors

   

   "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?" by Alan Duff is a powerful and gritty novel that delves into the lives of a Maori family living in New Zealand. Set against a backdrop of poverty, violence, and racism, the story follows the struggles and triumphs of Jake, a young man desperate to escape the cycle of despair that has plagued his family for generations. With raw and unflinching honesty, the book explores themes of identity, love, and redemption, painting a vivid and haunting portrait of a community grappling with the consequences of a broken heart.

   The 17008th Greatest Book of All Time