William & Tiraha by Michael Littlewood

The author, Michael Littlewood, has taken family history and crafted it into a fascinating work of fiction that brings to life an extraordinary story grounded in fact.

William Cook was injured and abandoned in Paihia in 1823 by his whaling ship. He was nursed back to health at the Mission and married Tiraha, the daughter of a great chief.

William tells the story of their years together to his young grandson, Abraham, who comes to visit with his mother. Long-buried secrets are revealed to the young lad as he learned about how they raised a growing family of twelve children in times of hardship and turmoil. There were extraordinary adventures of being pioneer shipbuilders on remote Stewart Island, and how they delivered a new-built vessel for the Weller brothers. Later, they witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

This book has it all – adventure, survival in the toughest of situations, seafaring, and an enduring love story between William and Tiraha, as well as an insight into these early times in Aotearoa. It’s a well-written story, packed with small details that bring their lives into vivid and colourful life.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Quentin Wilson Publishing