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rachelle_reads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.75
Sweet, evocative, picturesque. Each short chapter tells a self-contained story about Materena and the people in her world in Tahiti, especially about her daughter Leilani. I found myself reading just a couple of chapters a day, so I could savor this over time.
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
(Tahiti)
This was an easy going, warm, funny read. Took me a hot minute to get into it fully, but it charmed me eventually. Chapters like short stories. A wonderful slice of island life.
This was an easy going, warm, funny read. Took me a hot minute to get into it fully, but it charmed me eventually. Chapters like short stories. A wonderful slice of island life.
_cherry_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was made with so much love.
I love how Materena always put an emphasis on loving women and how women are strong.
I disliked every man in this book though except for Moana, he was sweet. I was honestly so happy Leilani and her bf broke up.
Also, there’s a dash of transphobia so be weary of that; however, I think they were still welcoming to the Georgette.
I love how Materena always put an emphasis on loving women and how women are strong.
I disliked every man in this book though except for Moana, he was sweet. I was honestly so happy Leilani and her bf broke up.
Also, there’s a dash of transphobia so be weary of that; however, I think they were still welcoming to the Georgette.
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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