Frangipani

Celestine Vaite
Little, Brown & Company (2005)
ISBN 0316114669
Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (2/06)

“Frangipani” is set in Tahiti and is about a woman named Materena Mahi. Materena is a professional cleaner and a very god listener. When someone in the family needs to talk they always come to her.

Materena and Pito have three children, but it is the relationship between mother and daughter that is explored in this book. Lelani is the joy of her mother’s heart, however, they have their ups and downs but always get through them. As Materena teaches her daughter about everyday life we learn much about the Tahitian culture, such as:

“Breadfruit fills the stomach, is nice to eat, and can be cooked in many different ways: barbecued, baked, in the stew.”

“To get rid of unwanted guests without hurting their feelings, broom around their feet.”

“Never visit a woman who’s just given birth looking your best.”

This is a delightful book and is for anyone, but especially for mothers and daughters. I enjoyed reading “Frangipani” very much and would recommend it highly.

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