Frangipani: A Novel
by Célestine Vaite | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0316114669 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0316114669 Global Overview for this book
1 journaler for this copy...
Lovely cover. Interesting title. I was drawn to this brightly colored book sitting on the book table. :) I'll make this available once I've read it.
Trade Paperback, 297 pages
From the back cover:
Her name is Materena Mahi, and she's the best listener in Tahiti.
Materena starts her new job as a professional cleaner at the same time she becomes the mother of her beautiful baby girl. Leilani is a challenge almost from the start, posing questions ("Why doesn't it snow in Tahiti?") that seem to Materena not worth wondering about. What matters to Materena is passing along her own special wisdom:
"Always keep a breadfruit tree in your backyard. That way you'll never go hungry."
"To get rid of unwanted guests without hurting their feelings, broom around their feet."
"Avoid foreigners at all costs. Foreigners eat raw fish with salad dressing."
Everyone around Materena seems to admire her cleverness and generosity, her appreciation of Tahitian tradition—everyone except perhaps Leilani, who has her own ideas about love, family, and island ways.
Célestine Vaite was born and raised in Tahiti. At age sixteen, she fell in love with a spunky Australian surfer. They now live on the South Coast of New South Wales with their four children.
Trade Paperback, 297 pages
From the back cover:
Her name is Materena Mahi, and she's the best listener in Tahiti.
Materena starts her new job as a professional cleaner at the same time she becomes the mother of her beautiful baby girl. Leilani is a challenge almost from the start, posing questions ("Why doesn't it snow in Tahiti?") that seem to Materena not worth wondering about. What matters to Materena is passing along her own special wisdom:
"Always keep a breadfruit tree in your backyard. That way you'll never go hungry."
"To get rid of unwanted guests without hurting their feelings, broom around their feet."
"Avoid foreigners at all costs. Foreigners eat raw fish with salad dressing."
Everyone around Materena seems to admire her cleverness and generosity, her appreciation of Tahitian tradition—everyone except perhaps Leilani, who has her own ideas about love, family, and island ways.
Célestine Vaite was born and raised in Tahiti. At age sixteen, she fell in love with a spunky Australian surfer. They now live on the South Coast of New South Wales with their four children.
