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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A jewel of a book!,
By Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Frangipani: A Novel (Paperback)
First published in Australia where the author lives with her Australian husband and four children, this enchanting novel is now available in the U.S.Set in Tahiti, Frangipani is the story of Matarena Mahi and her family, especially her daughter Leilani. We meet Matarena early in her marriage, when she has one child, Tamatoa; and in the course of making up after an argument with her husband, Pito over his paycheck, she becomes pregnant with Leilani. Pito and Matarena reconcile, but Matarena decides to find a job, and becomes a "professional cleaner" to have control over her own money. This book is reminiscent of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, in that the atmosphere of the place, the voices of the people, the stories of the aunties, all come through crystal clear. Matarena has high hopes for her daughter Leilani who is so full of questions, and even after Matarena buys an encyclopedia, Leilani still has a thirst for knowledge. Sacrifices are made so she can attend an expensive catholic high school, but before she graduates, she meets a man, one who miraculously fulfills all the major points on Leilani's list of the perfect man. The relationship between mother and daughter does not always run smoothly; often it bumps along like one of the Tahitian trucks on a mountain road. Matarena's 40th birthday becomes a turning point; she decides to make some major changes in her life. Her example makes Leilani choose a difficult path as well. is a true joy to read, a jewel of a book, with characters you could just hug; you'll end up loving them so much. Armchair Interviews says: If you want a delightful read, pick up Frangipani and enjoy!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful and Charming!,
By
This review is from: Frangipani: A Novel (Paperback)
FRANGIPANI by Celestine VaiteMarch 18, 2006 Amazon Rating: 4/5 stars I can't say enough about FRANGIPANI, the debut novel by Celestine Vaite. It's funny, charming, delightful, and is told by narrator Materena Mahi, a Tahitian woman who loves to dispense advice to all her friends, neighbors, and strangers. The heart of the book is her relationship with her daughter Leilani, who proves to be almost too much for Materena. While she is very proud of her smart daughter, she also cannot understand this new breed of Tahitian woman. It's the story of Materena's journey from being a Professional Cleaner to a Tahitian celebrity, but the heart and soul of the book is the relationship between mothers and daughters and about strong women everywhere. I cannot wait for the next two books in the series to be published in the United States. FRANGIPANI is highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Life in the South Pacific,
By
This review is from: Frangipani: A Novel (Paperback)
Celestine captures the essence of living life in the old South Pacific. A time when life moved more slowly and values were set according to the matriarcal way of life. Her portrayal of mother and daughter is timeless, but the humor that she injects is more than the words that are printed, they are the life. To truly enjoy this book, you must have grown up somewhere in the South Pacific. For me I still smell the plumeria(frangipani).
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