Ordinary People Like Us by Kelly Ana Morey

Some novels tell the story of a family, and others tell the story of a place. Ordinary People Like Us does both, while also capturing something larger about belonging and the ties that bind generations together. This final novel from Kelly Ana Morey is a moving story that spans more than a century, following five generations of Māori women from the Far North to Auckland and London.

The story begins with Bird and moves through the lives of Kaa, Annie, Jen, Lorna and Pax. Their lives are shaped by love, grief, resilience and the small decisions that ripple through generations. Family stories are carried forward, sometimes treasured and sometimes hidden away. Meanwhile, the past lingers in memories, objects and conversations. However, the characters are not defined solely by what came before them. 

One of the novel's strengths is its scope, covering multiple generations. Each woman has a distinct voice, and together they create a rich family tapestry. These women feel real and complicated, carrying the weight of the past while finding their own way forward. The novel moves seamlessly between time periods, gradually revealing how the past continues to shape the present. 

The writing is warm, observant and often very funny. Kelly had a sharp eye for human behaviour and even in moments of heartbreak there are flashes of humour. I especially liked the way everyday details of family life are woven through the story. Small conversations and seemingly ordinary moments accumulate into something profound. By the end of the novel, you feel as though you have lived alongside these characters.

There is also an added poignancy in knowing this was Kelly’s final work. In an essay for The Spinoff, author Catherine Chidgey described the manuscript as Kelly's "Epic Māori Novel" and wrote that it "embraces death and fizzes with life". That feels exactly right. The novel acknowledges loss and mortality, but it is equally filled with vitality and hope.

Expansive yet intimate, Ordinary People Like Us is a fitting farewell from one of New Zealand's most distinctive literary voices. It’s a celebration of family, memory and identity and a powerful reminder that no matter how far we travel, it’s the people who love us that keep us whole.

Reviewer: Andrea Molloy

Moa Press