Savannah Patterson reviews Short | Poto edited by Michelle Elvy and Kiri Piahana-Wong for Kete Books:
‘Some books change how we read. Others change how we think about language itself. Short | Poto: The Big Book of Small Stories, published by Massey University Press, accomplishes both, presenting 100 flash fiction pieces in English and te reo Māori to create one of New Zealand's first truly bilingual literary anthologies. The subtitle Iti te kupu, nui te kōrero (small words, big stories) perfectly captures the collection's philosophy, that brevity can contain entire worlds, and that every language deserves equal literary space.
Editors Michelle Elvy and Kiri Piahana-Wong emphasise that ’every word has to serve a purpose’ in these stories under 300 words. Elvy, a short fiction specialist and founding editor of Flash Frontier, brings deep expertise in the form, whilst Piahana-Wong, a poet and editor, contributes essential knowledge of te reo Māori and indigenous perspectives. Their collaboration required a team of 10 translators working closely with individual authors to capture not just words but the intended essence of each narrative.
The collection addresses key themes defining contemporary New Zealand experiences: relationships, loss, mental health, and diverse perspectives. Environmental anxiety permeates many pieces, reflecting urgent concerns about climate change and ecological destruction. Stories explore cultural identity complexities, particularly for immigrants and mixed-heritage individuals navigating belonging. Intergenerational relationships feature prominently, examining how cultural knowledge and trauma transmit across families.
The bilingual presentation creates a unique reading experience. Stories appear numerically from 1-100, side by side in both languages, allowing readers to compare versions and discover how meaning shifts between them. This format serves multiple purposes: entertainment, language education, and cultural bridge-building.
Short | Poto features established writers like Owen Marshall, Vincent O'Sullivan, Tina Makereti, and Tusiata Avia alongside emerging voices, showcasing the diversity of Aotearoa through an array of lived experiences.’
Read the rest of the review here.
