Frangipani in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 27, 2022 Tanya rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: format-ebook, 2022

“It is very important to believe in yourself,” Materena continues. “You can have thousands of people believing in you, but if you”—Materena points a finger to her daughter—“if you don’t believe in yourself, you’re not going to be able to take that step forward you need to take to be a truly happy person. It’s all in here.” Materena places a hand on her heart. “And in here.” The hand goes to the head. “Remember, only you can make it happen. You follow me?” “I follow you, Mamie.” “Know what you wa ...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Nancy H rated it it was amazing

This is an excellent mother-daughter story set in Tahiti. It is really interesting to see that a lot of thing in mother-daughter relationships are universal.

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May 08, 2022 Nina ( picturetalk321 ) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: author-ofcolour, author-woman, c_quest-readtheworld, genre-fiction, a-reviewed, landscape-island, 4-star, z-read-gelesen-2022, zchallenge-readtheworld22, world-pacific

A totally sweet, utterly charming, lovely novel, set in richly evoked Tahiti without a trace of angst or Orientalism. It centres on the relationship between a mother and a daughter, told from a tight mother's pov, and it is so rare and so beautiful to see this relationship described without sugar coating but also without psychological torment. Both women are believable, both women are great, the mood is yes, there's suffering and yes, we're strong, we're women, we're grasping life. I also liked ...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Daisy rated it liked it

Shelves: aroundtheworld2012, france, australia, tahiti

A perfectly pleasant women-mother-daughter-island story; there's really nothing wrong with this book. It's honest. It's a lovely, light read. Sweet customs, funny expressions in a gorgeous setting. I'd read more by this author and about Tahiti.

I like Virgin Mary, Understanding Women and the Welcome into Womanhood talk.

My copy had a short essay in the back by Célestine Vaite on her own life as a reader which was nice.

(Between 3 and 4 stars: 3 because it was light and easy and 4 because I had a go ...more

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Aug 22, 2022 Bogdan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: asian-flavor

A very interesting story and characters development set in a society and part of the world which is new to me. I enjoyed it very much and I discovered a new very good writer.

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Apr 14, 2016 Janet rated it liked it

The story chose me at the right time. Currently experiencing mother-daughter tug of war. I liked how the book explored that dynamic through Materena and Leilani.

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