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kdroste's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.75
marthamarthamartha's review against another edition
3.5
A sweet and ultra-readable novel, Frangipani is a tale of mothers and daughters. Set in Tahiti, the author tells the story of Materena and Leilani through vignettes, weaving in life lessons and generational differences. This novel wasn't earth-shatteringly good, but was a pleasant beach read.
lannainthelibrary's review
3.0
Mama usually knows best. Materena Mahi just wishes that her children would realize that. Frangipani is a feel-good tale about Tahitian life and culture, told through a series of intertwined stories about the Mahi family as Materena’s children begin to grow up and find their place in the world, and inspire their mother to question hers.
Although the primary focus is on Materena’s relationship with her daughter Leilani who grows up to be just as brilliant and inquisitive as she hoped (much to Materena’s exasperation), it also looks at the dynamics of the entire extended family.
The depictions of Tahitian life and traditions were charming and hilarious, tempered with more sobering reflections on the impacts of the French colonialism on the native Tahitian population.
The book wasn’t very plot-driven, and often felt more like a series of conversations with your Tahitian best friend regaling you with stories of her family. But this structure works beautifully to keep you engaged and entertained while keeping the story. Highly recommend to anyone who, like me, loves international reads with sassy female leads.
Although the primary focus is on Materena’s relationship with her daughter Leilani who grows up to be just as brilliant and inquisitive as she hoped (much to Materena’s exasperation), it also looks at the dynamics of the entire extended family.
The depictions of Tahitian life and traditions were charming and hilarious, tempered with more sobering reflections on the impacts of the French colonialism on the native Tahitian population.
The book wasn’t very plot-driven, and often felt more like a series of conversations with your Tahitian best friend regaling you with stories of her family. But this structure works beautifully to keep you engaged and entertained while keeping the story. Highly recommend to anyone who, like me, loves international reads with sassy female leads.
xavia's review
3.0
I received this book as part of a subscription service, along with the two sequels. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was not this.
That being said, while I had a hard time in the beginning, I did enjoy the book as it went along, and as I got used to the writing style. I was very interested in the cultural differences between America and Tahiti. I did find myself wondering often "When is this book set?" and thinking I just don't know enough about Tahiti to have a cultural touchstone.
Still, it was a decent slice of life book. I look forward to reading the sequels.
That being said, while I had a hard time in the beginning, I did enjoy the book as it went along, and as I got used to the writing style. I was very interested in the cultural differences between America and Tahiti. I did find myself wondering often "When is this book set?" and thinking I just don't know enough about Tahiti to have a cultural touchstone.
Still, it was a decent slice of life book. I look forward to reading the sequels.
rothieee's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.0
saimarie's review
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.
zarrazine's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5