Book Release: The Taken Land by Robin O’Reilly

The Taken Land
(Riro Te Whenua)

Rotorua, New Zealand –The Taken Land (published by iUniverse) is a work of fiction by Robin O’Reilly inspired by the colourful, vibrant and passionate Maori culture. Maori is a proud race, but before the Pakeha (foreign white settlers) arrived, these males were warriors taught to defend themselves, their maraes (villages) and their tribe from raiding tribes. As generations passed on and after the arrival of the white man, some Maori became entrenched in urbanization. O’Reilly found the subject of confiscated land by the early colonial government, which is still vigorously debated across the country today, a fascinating topic for a novel.

In South Auckland, New Zealand, Mannie and his wife, Jo, have finally achieved stability. Mannie’s successful job as a carpenter gives the couple hopes for a future home with children. But when Wall Street crashes in 2005, the New Zealand economy plunges into a recession. Mannie loses his job and is forced to apply for unemployment benefit to survive. Then he and Jo must take in boarders in order to make the rent. Mannie soon sees his misfortunate as an opportunity to reclaim land in the Tongariro National Park that belonged to his Maori tribe more than one hundred years earlier.

In protest against the government, Mannie persuades a small, disillusioned group of young Maori into claiming sovereignty over a small block of land on the side of a mountain. They build huts and live off the land, but then tragedy strikes and Mannie finds himself suddenly in a deadly game of survival. O’Reilly researched Maori archives in order to tell a story based, in parts, on fact. The Taken Land is described as emotional, dramatic and explosive.

About the Author
Robin O’Reilly was born a New Zealander. He did his secondary schooling at Sacred Heart College in Auckland. He worked as a builder and joiner/cabinetmaker initially before retraining himself in architectural drafting, quantity surveying and project management. He then became interested in writing and took several workshops to hone his craft. He spent a lot of time hunting and fishing in his early years. In addition, he would take his three sons, who are all adults now, in the bush to live off the land for a few weeks during the Christmas holidays. The author is available for interview.

The Taken Land
Available from: www.iUniverse.com, www.bn.com, and www.amazon.com
ISBN: 978-1469738758 9x6 Paperback 274 pages $17.95

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