Reviews

Tales of the Tikongs by Epeli Hau'ofa

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sssnoo's review

challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I find satire often doesn't translate across diverse cultures, but still, I decided to read this farcical set of stories for my Oceanic reading journey. I enjoyed them - I can't say I laughed and I'm sure some of the inuendoes went right past my head, but I felt I grasped the underlying (and scathing) message. But I struggle with where to assign this book. The author was born in Tonga, but now lives in Fiji. I decided to assign the book to Tonga.

aylart's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

[read to represent Tonga in the "read the world challenge]
Well, that was... something. This was the only book by a Tongan author I could realistically get my hands on. I was very apprehensive after reading the descriptions, and the book also starts by warning it is not for the faint of heart. That is a fair assessment. I often found myself pulling my nose up in disgust while reading. On the other hand, it really wasn't badly written and, however crude sometimes, there were funny moments. However, my version does not contain the postscript by the author, which apparently helps to better understand the book. Consequently, I honestly cannot see the intended deeper meaning behind all of the farts and anusses. I didn't hate it, but I also cannot really find anything to love.

joti's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative medium-paced

3.0

A tricky one to rate. It was too absurd and crude at times for my (prudish, western, white?) mind, which made it hard to see the humor at times. On the other hand, it did offer a unique window in another culture, somehow drawing in elements about access to medication, national and international connections, and spirituality. It's definitely a very bold book, using 'pain in the arse' as a metaphor for many (taboo) things in society, and going so far as to turning 'kiss my arse' into an actual suggested solution for world peace. What I did like was that the wife and her mother had a strong personality, and that sexual desire was treated unapologetically. The bits with the letters to the government was also really good. I particularly enjoyed the interview with the author at the end of the book, as it gives a bit more context and background to the whole (otherwise very much bewildering - to me, at least) story.

hanntastic's review

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4.0

Global Read 165- Tonga

A series of very short stories. The stories eventually became repetitive but they were funny and smart. I enjoyed the satire of Western imperialism/development, and it was a fun world with characters that popped up in multiple stories which I like.