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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I didn't like this book… I understand its importance and relevance as the first novel to be published by a Samoan author. I think the novel gave a really good insight into the culture and lives of Samoans, it could have delivered a wonderful critique and exploration of racism and intersectionality but any hopes for that was overshadowed by the toxic relationship between the two main characters and continuous sex scenes. Any critique of racism and intersectionality was overshadowed by the constant sex scenes, which was incredibly frustrating. There were some passages and chapters in the book that I truly enjoyed and just when I got my hopes up I would be let down by another sex scene or another manipulative tactic between our two main characters.
I think the book is good reading as part of the canon, but not necessarily what I would choose for an introduction to Pacific Islander literature.
I think the book is good reading as part of the canon, but not necessarily what I would choose for an introduction to Pacific Islander literature.
It is absolutely wild to me (though perhaps it shouldn't be) that a man can write a "semi"-autobiographical novel about him degrading, hitting, and raping every woman he comes into contact with, admit in the final passage that he has learned nothing and has no regrets, and then spend the next 50 years receiving literary accolades.
I'm even more angry because the narrative voice is beautiful and evocative in the rare moments that he isn't blaming a woman for his own actions. True talent, wasted on this guy. Samoan men deserve far better representation.
I'm even more angry because the narrative voice is beautiful and evocative in the rare moments that he isn't blaming a woman for his own actions. True talent, wasted on this guy. Samoan men deserve far better representation.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another Noveltea book down. I'm only one book behind now, hallelujah.
The liked the first two parts of this book, describing the boy and girl's relationship, and the issues encountered within. Although racism is at the forefront of the text, being a relationship with a white/papalagi woman and a Samoan man, there is a lot more at play. Wealth, class, immigration, education. These envelope the couple and effect their lives. There's a continuous feeling of the cards being stacked against them from the start.
The last part of the book, I feel, missed me. It wasn't bad, and I'm sure if someone had an interest in the immigration and the effects it can have on an individual and a community.
Either way, this is an important cultural novel, and one that speaks of cross-cultural identity, and one of a particularly niche area.
The liked the first two parts of this book, describing the boy and girl's relationship, and the issues encountered within. Although racism is at the forefront of the text, being a relationship with a white/papalagi woman and a Samoan man, there is a lot more at play. Wealth, class, immigration, education. These envelope the couple and effect their lives. There's a continuous feeling of the cards being stacked against them from the start.
The last part of the book, I feel, missed me. It wasn't bad, and I'm sure if someone had an interest in the immigration and the effects it can have on an individual and a community.
Either way, this is an important cultural novel, and one that speaks of cross-cultural identity, and one of a particularly niche area.
emotional
reflective
sad
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Global Read 154: Samoa
I was surprised to see that this book was written 50 years ago because it feels so modern. It was really interesting and I loved the dual perspective of taking place in New Zealand and Samoa. However, the through line of how bad abortion is really bothered me and kept me from being fully immersed in the book.
I was surprised to see that this book was written 50 years ago because it feels so modern. It was really interesting and I loved the dual perspective of taking place in New Zealand and Samoa. However, the through line of how bad abortion is really bothered me and kept me from being fully immersed in the book.
a read i quite strongly identified with, glad i finally picked it up !! also read in the motherland itself, a fitting setting and a nice end to my year in books.