Birth and Death of the Miracle Man: A Collection of Short Stories

by Albert Wendt

Book by Wendt Albert

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Albert Wendt was born in Apia, Samoa.
Wendt's epic Leaves of the Banyan Tree (1979) won the 1980 New Zealand Book Awards. He was appointed to the first chair in Pacific literature at the University of the South Pacific in Suva. In 1988 he took up a professorship of Pacific studies at the University of Auckland. In 1999 Wendt was visiting Professor of Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Hawaii. In 2001 he was made Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to literature. In the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours he was appointed a member of the Order of New Zealand.

Reviews

[Dubhease · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of stories. The copy I read had a glossary, so I didn't struggle too much with the Samoan words. I liked that some of the characters repeated from story to story. I knew nothing about life in Samoa prior to this book and now feel like I have an inkling of understanding. The descriptions are well done.

My only criticism is that some stories didn't really have an ending. Maybe that's the way Samoan stories are. Or maybe that is just the way Albert Wendt writes.

[Valerie Barchefska · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I have always pictured my migraine as a fully inflated balloonfish with its spikes extended like threatening spears, bulbous eyes staring unblinkingly at me, its small round mouth opening and shutting in time to its breathing, suspended in the still sun-clear waters of a tropical reef."

Like an Oceanic island chain, this book consists of a wide-set spray of stories, which vary greatly in size and in habitability. Each one is equally finely crafted.

Glossary of Samoan cultural terms is extremely helpful to get into the mindset of "fa'a Samoa"!

READ AROUND THE WORLD 38/195: SAMOA 🇼🇸

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written and diverse collection of short stories that was very enjoyable to read. Funny in parts, heartbreaking in others.

[Hermione pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually amazing - i didnt think it was going to be that good but i thought it was beautiful

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant, reflective collection of stories that transports the reader to Samoa, but not in a touristy, tropical-islands-in-the-suns, superficial kind of way; Wendt's collection feels like the removal of a veil, so that the reader gets a glimpse of authentic island life. His characters are tangible through their flaws, their peccadilloes, the irony of their decisions. They are the centerpiece of life and of this collection. Here as anywhere else, it is not about the place, but the people.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it 1/2 way through this book club book and stopped. I have to admit that most of the cultural aspects were lost on me.