THE ROPE OF MAN is two books in one. The first book, TANGI, is set in 1973 and focuses on Tama Mahana, a young 20-year old newspaper reporter working in Wellington, as he attends his father's funeral in Waituhi. The second book, THE RETURN is a sequel, set in 2005; Tama Mahana, now 52, is living in London and is a successful TV anchorman of an international news show. This time it is his mother, Huia, who is dying, and as Tama travels back to New Zealand he realises that both he and his mother are powerless to prevent the secret that they have been harbouring for the last 32 years from blowing their family apart. Epic in scope, THE ROPE OF MAN is a story of love, loss and redemption. It is also a triumphant extension to Witi Ihimaera's exploration of Maori identity - but, this time, on a world stage. Engaging, passionate and lyrical, the novel is pure Ihimaera - blending dramatic flair and humour. It is bound to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.