MANUSCRIPT
Hulme, Keri, 1947-2021: 'The bone people' manuscript and book
- Date
- 1966-1976 - 1985
- By
- Hulme, Keri Ann Ruhi, 1947-2021; Spiral Collective
- Reference
- ATL-Group-00788
- Description
An original annotated typescript of “the bone people“ and a 1985 edition of the published book.
The manuscript has 458 numbered and 24 unnumbered pages of single sided typescript. There are unnumbered pages at the beginning, and at chapter and part breaks. Following a blue divider, the first typed page reads “By Kerry A. L. Hulme. Moteuka, 1966 - Moeraki & West Coast, 1976.” This is followed by three pages of “Māori words and phrases”. The pages after these are numbered on the top righthand corner in black felt tip pen.
Many pages contain some alteration using either the typewriter, blue and black ink, and pencil. These include corrected spelling, shifting word order and word insertions. A few pages have slightly fuller annotations. The annotations appear to be in the same hand throughout. It is thought to be Keri Hulme’s handwriting. Each page has been hole punched to fit in a ringbinder, and a section of pages have been hole punched on both sides.
The book is a 1985 edition published by Spiral in association with Hodder and Stoughton.
Information on the provenance was provided by the Hulme whānau, August 2022.
Information on provenance and handwritten annotations were provided by Marian Evans (August 2022) who was part of the Spiral Collective that first published the novel. See also the Sandi Hall interview with Keri Hulme “Conversation at Okarito”. ‘Broadsheet’. July-August 1984, pages 18-21.
Title provided by Library.
Spiral Collective Records, relating to the writing, publishing, promotion and success of `The bone people' by Keri Hulme, at Library reference 84-072A–2/07 to 84-072A–2/10.
Other versions of the manuscript are held at Macmillan Brown Library, in the papers Hulme donated. MB 916 - Keri Hulme 'The Bone People' papers’. Macmillan Brown Library, reference FD702.0001.
Keri Hulme worked as a tobacco picker in Motueka in the mid 1960s. It was there she began to write about a character who was appearing in her dreams. Initially she wrote a short story “Simon Peter’s shell” which she later destroyed. She continued to rework the characters from this story and her dreams over the next 12 years and created several manuscripts.
In 1985 'the bone people' became the first New Zealand novel to win the Booker Prize and the first debut novel to win.
Quantity: 3 folder(s) 482 pages. 1 volume(s) 1 published book. 1 box(es) 2 folders.
Provenance: The manuscript was part of the Hulme estate and was sold through the Dunbar Sloane Auction House by the Hulme whānau. This version was thought to have been in the possession of Hulme's mother.
Processing information: The typescript came to the Library in two blue plastic Lever Arch folders. The first folder went to the end of part two at numbered page 270. The typescript has been rehoused in three acid-free folders for conservation reasons. The original folders have been kept, Library reference MSX-10205.
- Use/Reproduction
- Copyright: In copyright.
- Access restrictions
- No access restrictions
- Format
- 3 folder(s) 482 pages, 1 volume(s) 1 published book, 1 box(es) 2 folders, Books, Drafts (Documents), Folders (Containers), Literature, Manuscripts, Typescripts
Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.
Copyright
Unknown
`The bone people' manuscript chapters eight to twelve and epilogue
Date: 1966-1976
From: Hulme, Keri, 1947-2021: 'The bone people' manuscript and book
Reference: MS-Papers-12800-3
Description: An original annotated typescript of 'the bone people' from numbered page 315 to 458. Includes seven unnumbered pages. The first page is unnumbered and reads “CHAPTER EIGHT: Nightfall”. It includes "PART FOUR: FELDAPART SINEWS, BREAKEN BONES" and ends with the "EPILOGUE. Moonwater picking". Title provided by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s) 151 pages.. Physical Description: Typescript with annotations. Transfers: The two Lever Arch folders from which this manuscript was removed are at Library reference MSX-10205.
`The bone people' manuscript chapters four to seven
Date: 1966-1976
From: Hulme, Keri, 1947-2021: 'The bone people' manuscript and book
Reference: MS-Papers-12800-2
Description: An original annotated typescript of 'The Bone People' from numbered page 160 to 314. Includes seven unnumbered pages. Includes all of “PART TWO: THE SEA ROUND” and the first chapter of "PART THREE: THE LIGHTNING STRUCK TOWER". Part three is separated by a blue divider between pages 270 and 271. Title provided by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s) 162 pages.. Physical Description: Typescript with annotations. Transfers: The two Lever Arch folders from which this manuscript was removed are at Library reference MSX-10205.
`The bone people' manuscript chapters one to three
Date: 1966-1976
From: Hulme, Keri, 1947-2021: 'The bone people' manuscript and book
Reference: MS-Papers-12800-1
Description: An original annotated typescript of ‘the bone people' from the front pages to numbered page 159. Includes 10 unnumbered pages. Comprises the prologue and all of "PART ONE: SEASON OF THE DAY MOON" which is made up of the first three chapters of the book. Following a blue divider, the first typed page reads "By Kerry A. L. Hulme. Moteuka, 1966 - Moeraki & West Coast, 1976". This is followed by three unnumbered pages of "Māori words and phrases". then a page typed with the word “PROLOGUE”. The numbering sequence begins from there. A section in chapter three, from numbered page 101 to 117 inclusive, has been hole punched on both edges. Title provided by Library. Quantity: 1 folder(s) 169 pages. Physical Description: Typescript with annotations. Transfers: The two Lever Arch folders from which this manuscript was removed are at Library reference MSX-10205.
Original manuscript folders for 'the bone people'
Date: 1966-1976
From: Hulme, Keri, 1947-2021: 'The bone people' manuscript and book
Reference: MSX-10205
Description: These two folders housed an annotated manuscript of 'the bone people'. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 box(es) 2 folders.. Physical Description: Two blue plastic Lever Arch folders, 26 x 32.5 cm. Transfers: The mansucript removed from these folders is at Library reference MS-Papers-12800-1 to MS-Papers-12800-3.
'The bone people' published 1985 edition
Date: 1985
From: Hulme, Keri, 1947-2021: 'The bone people' manuscript and book
Reference: MSX-10204
Description: A1985 edition published by Spiral in association with Hodder and Stoughton. It has the international standard book number 0340370238.The cover artwork, by Robert Jahnke, show the heads of a woman, a man, and a boy in the centre. They are facing away from eachother and their hair combines upwards in a single topknot.The background features stylised koru motifs in red, white and teal. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 volume(s). Physical Description: Book, soft bound, 450 pages,14.5 x 21.5 cm. Cover artwork features white and teal koru motifs on a red background, and a stylised image of the intertwined heads of three people. Processing information: The published book came to the Library with three paper placeholders marking parts two, three and four. These have been replaced with acid-free paper.