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A review by lannainthelibrary
Frangipani by Célestine Vaite
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.