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saimarie's review against another edition
4.0
It was an interesting read but I felt that it was hard to follow at times. I liked the way the relationship between mother and daughter flourished and particularly the time when Leilani was coming into womanhood and the insight shown into the Tahitian rites of women's passage. I really liked how her mother tried to evolve with the times and yet still maintain traditions of the women of her's and Leilani's past. It's a great book, but a little slow to get into at times.
owlslibrary's review against another edition
There wasn’t enough holding me to the story to keep reading
zarrazine's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
fuzzyhebrew's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a very readable book that speaks to empowerment and the relationship between mothers and daughters. I was rooting for Materena to find her purpose, and was so happy when she decided to work on something that she wanted to do. Also rooting for Leilani to break the cycle of setting aside her goals in favor of a man. I wish the other books in this series were available at my library.
chloeguyon's review against another edition
5.0
Encore une fois, Célestine Hitiura Vaite frappe avec son talent. Ce livre est vraiment un délice, du début à la fin.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Frangipani is a light and humorous story set in Tahiti. The two key characters are Materena and her teenage daughter Leilani. There’s a lot of tension between them - I got the feeling Leilani was very much like Materena had been as a teen - but there is also a lot of love and respect. It’s just Leilani wants to live her life her way, which is not always the way her mother thinks she should. The women are both strong go-getter types, while the male characters mostly do not come across so well. The story offered many insights into family and community life - and the fact that the two were virtually synonymous. Class and gender divisions were obvious and there were glimpses of the colonial ties to France. The ending was a delight. A good pick if you want a book that will leave a smile on your face.
reddragonsbg8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
lizjane's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to read something that took place on a tropical island while I was on vacation tropical islands recently. This takes place in contemporary Tahiti (which I was nowhere near) and is a very pleasant novel. It is mostly the story of a woman and her daughter, although the husband (no good, but loved), the sons (one SO like his father, the other heartbreakingly sweet) are not overlooked. The main character is a maid who turns out to be more feminist and stronger that she seems at first glance. You go, Tahitian Girl!
auntblh's review against another edition
4.0
I did like this book even if it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the story. I liked the wisdom of Materena even though I can't understand the family life that was portrayed in the book and on the island.
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
Tahiti is a place I’ve heard of but not given a huge amount of though about and here in this last month I’ve watched a tv programme based there (and it looks beautiful) and now I have read a book set there. I have to say the writing style reminded me a bit of Alexander McCall Smith, quite simple and yet able to keep you attention. The Tahitian lifestyle was quite fascinating, some of the old customs sound so funny and yet you can see why they believe in then, such as planting a tree when you have a child, and as the child and tree grow they represent one another, so even if your child is another country you would know when they are sick because the tree is sick. A delightful read.