The Mires by Tina Makereti is a fascinating and ever-moving novel that brings together the lives of three women from different backgrounds and eras, who find themselves neighbours in a coastal town, in Aotearoa New Zealand. Overall, this is a novel of extremism, environmental devastation, and the ultimate power of human connection.
Set in a small neighbourhood built on a swamp in Kapiti, the story introduces us to Keri, a resilient Māori woman recovering from domestic violence; Sera, a refugee from an ecological disaster in Europe; and Janet, a white New Zealander with rigid views on all sorts of things and a troubled son, Conor. The swamp (or te repo) serves as a powerful metaphor and semi-narrator, observing the lives and secrets of the characters.
Makereti’s narrative is an interesting mix of being both intimate and yet somehow expansive, digging into the personal struggles of her characters while addressing broader themes of racism, terrorism, and environmental collapse. The novel’s strength lies in its beautifully drawn characters, each grappling with trauma and seeking connection. Keri and Sera’s budding friendship, forged through mutual empathy and their children’s interactions, contrasts sharply with Conor’s isolation and inevitable radicalisation.
The Mires is a homage to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of community. It highlights how small acts of kindness and understanding can counteract so many of the seeds of hatred and violence. Makereti’s writing has always had a deep and tangible spiritual connection to the land and ancestors, offering a balm of Indigenous wisdom in a world fraught with division and destruction.
This novel is a quiet yet powerful call to seek understanding and connection in the face of adversity. It is a story of transformation, both personal and communal, and a reminder of the strength found in unity. The Mires is a significant contribution to contemporary literature, rich with insight into the complexities that exist even here on the edge of the world in modern Aotearoa and the potential for a more compassionate future.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Ultimo Press