Frangipani

I just love her books! When I just wanted to relax, her books could help me do just that. Eager for another book - soon I hope?

Frangipani tells the story of Materena, a strong and likeable Tahitian woman. The book tracks Materena's life over the course of about twenty years as she negotiates her sometimes tumultuous relationship with her husband Pito, raises three children, works as a professional cleaner, and cares for her family (both immediate and extended). Vaite skillfully portrays life in rural Tahiti through her depiction of Materena's day to day activities. The book is written in a `slice of life' form which is very effective in creating a picture of what it's like to be a woman in Tahiti. The long time span of the book imparts some understanding of what the entirity of Materena's life is like, as well as allowing us to see how the characters and their relationships with each other grow and change over time. Although other themes are explored via their inclusion in Materena's everyday life, the primary focus of the book is the relationship between Materena and her daughter Leilani. In her depiction of their relationship, Vaite focuses on the universal aspects of mother-daughter relationships. Some of the most notable scenes are Materena's being told while in labor that girls hurt their mothers more from the beginning, Leilani's never endingly asking questions Materena can't answer, Leilani and Materena's disagreements over Leilani's clothing, Materena's crying in a church because she loves Leilani but almost can't bear to live with her...What mother or daughter can't relate? Things begin to improve when Materena begins to come to terms with the fact that Leilani is her own person, and Vaite brings the book to a gratifying end. Vaite's juxtaposition of the universality of Materena's and Leilani's experiences with a culture so different from our own makes this book really stand out.

Vaite is a wonderful writer and she has a way with words. I enjoy fictional stories that use vivid descriptions to help the reader feel as if they are really there. The scene where Vaite describes Matt looking for his baby was so detailed and engrossing that I almost forgot I was reading about it and not watching it on a TV screen. There are several other scenes in the books that are very detailed, without using excess words, and I just have to say I enjoyed this aspect of Vaite's writing. This book is very inspirational because it is about the power of women. Yes, I learned many new things about Tahiti, but this story could be applied to the lives of women anywhere. I enjoyed this book also because it was another good mother/daughter story. I recommend that all mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and girlfriends read this book.

Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (2/05) "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.

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!