Sadly, elements of this story by Witi Ihimaera play out every day in cities across the world. Major themes include domestic violence, fear, isolation, desperation and sibling love. When a young boy flees home to escape his insecure mother’s abusive boyfriend, his seven-year-old sister follows. Within a few hours, they encounter several of the dangers that being alone on the streets at night have to offer. The city is portrayed as an endless stream of lost souls, each struggling to survive or reach an unknown destination. The two children join them. Other themes: drug and alcohol abuse, dependency, irresponsibility, hope.
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