Reviews

Island of Shattered Dreams by Chantal T. Spitz

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millie_who_loves_books's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

serendipitysbooks's review

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emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Island of Shattered Dreams is the first published novel by an indigenous Tahitian author. It’s a multi generational family story, features a love story that wasn’t meant to be, and is set against the backdrop of twentieth century Tahitian history, including nuclear testing by the French government. It clearly depicted the changes to the islands and the traditional ways of living during this time. I particularly enjoyed certain aspects of the storytelling, the way the book began with creation stories and featured a lot of poetry, which felt true to the Polynesian oral storytelling tradition. I also really enjoyed the epilogue which featured a scathing critique of colonialism, and not just the impacts of nuclear testing. The changes brought about by the construction of the nuclear testing base resulted in a socio-economic divide among the indigenous population, while the impact of colourism and the rise in the number of Tahitians with at least one white ancestor created another divide. The education system was called out for deliberately not equipping children for a more modern lifestyle. A quick but impactful book I’m glad to have read.

Content Warnings

kiriamarin's review

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4.0

"The dream passed on by oral tradition is dying because we can’t remember, and we must bring it back to life through writing. Others after you will write a piece of the dream and in the end it’ll become a reality.’
The dream … To brainwash everyone who has been told again and again their whole lives through that they’re worthless because they’re Mā’ohi."

k5tog's review

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4.0

This novel was the first by a native of French Polynesia. It tells the story of the destruction of the native people’s way of life brought about by colonialism culminating in the novel with the building of nuclear missile base on the fictional island of Ruahine.

The story is moving and sad, despite some of the language being stilted (translation issues?).

0ri's review against another edition

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challenging emotional slow-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

jenage's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

mezzythedragon's review against another edition

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The only thing worth commending is the author exposes the negative effects of colonization on Tahiti. Places like Tahiti and Hawaii are seen as “paradise,” destination sites for getaway trips for settlers and tourists, but that’s at the expense of the indigenous populations living there. The epilogue was particularly insightful.

I could have done without the so-called love story, which was all too insta-love anyway. Besides, an anti-colonial Mā’ohi and a guilt-ridden Frenchwoman who’s complicit in the whole nuclear missile project in his country...uh, no thanks.