The Uncle's Story by Witi Ihimaera - 2003

Penguin Group New Zealand. Very Good. 130 x 199 x 30mm. Paperback. 2003. 373 pages.<br>Michael Mahana's personal disclosure to his parents leads to the uncovering of another family secret - about his unc le, Sam, who had fought in the Vietnam War. Now, armed with his u ncle's diary, Michael goes searching for the truth about his uncl e, about the secret the Mahana family has kept hidden for over th irty years, and what happened to Sam. Set in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam and in present-day New Zealand and North America, Wit i Ihimaera's dramatic novel combines the superb story-telling of Bulibasha, King of the Gypsies with the unflinching realism of Ni ghts in the Gardens of Spain. A powerful love story, it courageou sly confronts Maori attitudes to sexuality and masculinity and co ntains some of Ihimaera's most passionate writing to date.--Publi sher's website. .