Frangipani
Second in a series
by Celestine Vaite
Frangipani is Celestine Vaite's second book about the life of Materena, the proud professional
cleaner in a small Tahitian village. It followed Breadfruit, which was published
in 2000 and re-released in 2004 when it won The Prix Litteraire Des Étudiants.
In her previous book, Vaite wrote of Materena's trials in trying to get her live-in
boyfriend and father of her three children to marry her, something that men in Tahiti
are very reluctant to do, according to Materena. In Frangipani, Vaite paints an
amusing and poignant portrait of raising an independent, intelligent daughter. Not only
does Materena help her daughter find her own path, but her daughter helps her find hers
as well.
A charming book, rich with the customs of Tahiti and the intricate social networks,
Frangipani definitely is a book to read with a box of tissues and a hearty drink.
I found myself laughing out loud at some of the situations Materena and her extended family
got involved in and I nodded my head at other occasions when I could so relate to Materena's
struggles with motherhood. Frangipani is a touching and funny look at how mothers
and daughters interact.
Tiare will be out in September of this year, continuing Materena's tale. |
The Book |
Little, Brown & Company (Bay Back Books) |
February 2006 |
Trade paperback |
0316114669 |
Fiction |
More
at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: Awards: Shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2005; Longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2006 |
The Reviewer |
Janie Franz |
Reviewed 2006 |
NOTE: Reviewer Janie
Franz is the author of Freelance Writing: It’s a Business, Stupid!, Relaxation
Techniques for Children, Relaxation Techniques for Adults; Co-author of The
Ultimate Wedding Reception Book and The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Book. Coming
Soon: The Ultimate Wedding Workbook, Get Rich on Love, and Sacred Breath
(a sound recording of relaxation meditations). |
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