Tiare in Bloom: A Novel [Paperback]

Celestine Hitiura Vaite (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 2007

Now that Materena is a big star with her radio talk show, Pito can't help noticing some changes in his wife. She's spending more and more time at work and with her girlfriends instead of coming home to cook for him. And why does a Tahitian woman need to know how to drive, anyway? He tries to shrug it off, but when Materena gives him the silent treatment and doesn't come home after a night of dancing, Pito has had enough! How is he supposed to fix things with Materena when she doesn't even give him a chance?
Luckily for Pito, his opportunity comes when a threemonth-old girl named Tiare--rumored to be their son Tomatoa's daughter--is left on the Mahis' doorstep. Anxious to pull his weight and set things right, Pito embarks on a hilarious and noble mission to prove himself to his granddaughter, his wife, and--most importantly--himself. TIARE IN BLOOM is the heartwarming story of a couple facing big changes on a small island--and a love that outlasts it all.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vaite's delightful third novel (after Breadfruit and Frangipani) once again heralds the foibles of Materena Tehana and her ever-present, ever-squabbling family, but this time, Materena's husband, Pito, gets a big share of the spotlight. Pito still finds himself the object of his in-laws' ire, and Materena's call-in radio show seems to have the ear of every woman in Tahiti. After an intense evening on the airwaves discussing the phenomenon of Tahitians not knowing their French soldier fathers, Materena tells Pito that she wants to finally go about locating her own unknown French dad, but Pito's drunken response leads to a communication breakdown that leaves Materena determined to punish Pito, and Pito contemplating an affair. The rift is healed when they learn they're grandparents, and Pito, after years of ducking in and out of his kids' lives, finds that he has the right touch with baby Tiare. Materena, meanwhile, isn't having much luck locating her father, but a little late help from Pito goes a long way toward securing a rosy denouement. Fans of the earlier Materena novels will find Vaite hasn't lost her storytelling touch. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Pito knows he has done something wrong, but for the life of him, he just can't figure out what. His in-laws ostentatiously shun him as they sit beneath the mango tree, and his wife, Materena, Tahiti radio's reigning talk-show host, is speaking to everybody but him. Just when he thinks they may be headed for divorce court, a baby girl is abandoned on their doorstep, the product of their son's tempestuous one-night stand. It takes little Tiare a nanosecond to worm her way into Pito's heart, and just that quickly he is transformed from a convivial, carefree slacker into a dedicated, attentive grandfather. There's nothing like a babe in arms to put a fresh shine on a once-tarnished reputation, and Pito takes to his new station in life with a fervor that impresses everyone, especially Materena. Another zestful look at love, marriage, and family, the third installment in Vaite's beguiling Mahi clan series is as irresistibly enchanting as the islands themselves. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books (June 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316114677
• ISBN-13: 978-0316114677
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #511,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sweet and charming book about how a self-absorbed man blossoms into a caring grandfather and husband, August 7, 2007

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Gen of North Coast Gardening (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tiare in Bloom: A Novel (Paperback)

The front cover hooked me by relating this book to the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series. I can see the resemblance, though this book's characters do a lot more drinking, the men are often less responsible, and there are a lot more references to and discussion about sexuality.

I hadn't read any of the other books in the series (Frangipani first and Breadfruit second), so I was delighted to find that I fell right into the book and understood everything that was going on.

Pito is a thoughtless and self-absorbed husband to Materena, and their marriage troubles start out this book. Materena is a big radio personality now, and Pito resists celebrating her first year on the radio by going to a restaurant. This and other examples of his lack of thoughtfulness for his wife begin to pile up, and Materena begins to think about divorcing Pito.

The turning point in the book comes when Tiare, their baby granddaughter whose parents can't care for her, arrives on their doorstep. The ways in which Pito grows while caring for the little one, and the impact this has on their relationship is so sweet to read about.

This is a feel-good book that is perfect for unwinding after a long day. I was very sorry to see the book end and am looking forward very much to the next one. I loved the little witticisms and turns of phrase that did indeed remind me of Mma Ramotswe and her crew.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great entertainment, August 6, 2007

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pastrymama - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tiare in Bloom: A Novel (Paperback)

I have read Celestine Vaite's other two novels and really enjoyed them, but I think this one is the best. It was so fun to read, I was sorry when I finished it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Tiare in Bloom: A Novel, January 12, 2012

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Phoebe - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tiare in Bloom: A Novel (Paperback)

I highly recommend the third novel of Célestine Hitiura Vaite's trilogy. Easily skip the first one (Breadfruit) but the second book and this one is well worth reading. Tiare in Bloom is a book that touches upon a lot of life lessons. For young parents it is a reminder of the importance of being a parent and the responsibility. For grandparents it is a reminder of how one can impact a child's life and the importance of the role of the grandparent. It was just a beautiful story.