Everyman

A novel from New Zealand. Eighty year old Malcolm’s middle aged son, a college principal, is in trouble for hitting and supposedly molesting a student at his school, and his career potentially in ruins. His Maori partner, Piripi is worried about him. Malcolm bikes to see him and on the way records the story of his encounter with his birth father as a young man, for he intuitively feels that whakapapa (genealogy) will be the only cure for this situation. His father, Buddy had run off after a one night stand, with tragic consequences for the young woman. But when he finds Buddy via a magazine article written by his half sister, Malcolm discovered that his father had been an international volunteer during the Spanish Civil War. But afterward he succumbed to alcohol.
When Geoff and his Maori partner, Piripiri hear the story they decide to take Malcolm to Spain, to trace the path of this ancestor. As well, Piripi’s tribe have a connection, for many of them were sired by an early Spanish shopkeeper who lived amongst them. In fact the tribe have formed a bond with the Spanish village from which he came.
They journey through Spain, following the path of this ancestor and in doing so learn about the war, and about themselves. Eventually they are challenged to adopt two young Syrian refugees and Malcolm is killed in a terrorist attack in Barcelona. After the funeral, Geoff and Piripi return home while the adoption is sorted and the children can be collected.