AustLit

Sons for the Return Home by Albert Wendt (1973, Longman Paul)

'Samoan-born Albert Wendt was working as a teacher in Samoa when he wrote the autobiographical Sons for the Return Home, first published in 1973. It is the story of a cross-racial romance between a Samoan student at Auckland University, the son of migrant parents, and the daughter of a wealthy palagi family. It was an instant bestseller and was later made into a successful movie.' 

Scar Of The Bamboo Leaf by Sieni A. Moghbelpour (2014, CreateSpace)

Walking with a pronounced limp all her life has never stopped fifteen-year-old Kiva Mau from doing what she loves, finding sereniyy in her sketchbook and volunteering at the run-down art center. When seventeen-year-old Ryler Cade steps into the art center for the first time, Kiva is drawn to the angry and misguided student sent from abroad to reform his violent ways. An unlikely friendship is formed when the gentle Kiva shows him kindness and beauty through art. But after a tragic accident leaves Kiva severely disfigured, she struggles to see the beauty she has been brought up to believe. Just when she thinks she's found her place, Ryler begins to pull away, leaving her heartbroken and confused. The patriarch of the family then takes a turn for the worse and Kiva is forced to give up her dreams to help with familial obligations, until an old family secret surfaces that makes her question everything. 

Where We Once Belonged by Sia Figiel (1999, Kaya/Muae)

'A bestseller in New Zealand and winner of the prestigious Commonwealth Prize, Sia Figiel's debut novel represents an exciting and promising voice on the international literary scene. It also marks the first time a novel by a Samoan woman has been published in the United States. Lively, spirited, and fiercely written, Figiel uses the traditional Samoan storytelling form of su'ifefiloi to talk back to Western anthropological studies on Samoan women and culture. In doing so, she weaves an honest 'and sometimes brutal' coming-of-age story which combines poetry with an exhilarating combination of humor and violence. Told in a series of linked episodes which recall V. S. Naipaul and Sandra Cisneros, this powerful and highly original narrative follows thirteen-year-old Alofa Filiga as she navigates the mores and restrictions of her village, Malaefou, and comes to terms with her own womanhood and search for identity.' 

The Mango's Kiss by Albert Wendt (2011, Penguin)

'Pele's first moment of remembered consciousness is the morning kiss of the mango fruit on her cheek. That kiss brings with it the awareness of mortality, pleasure and pain. It is a gift from her father, Mautu Tuifolau, the local pastor, the man she adores. Love is never simple, though, and in this story of the struggles and passions of Pele and her family, it must adapt to the growing world that stretches out from village life in Samoa to the cities of Europe, America and New Zealand. It must accommodate the conflicts of a gifted family and the attraction of extraordinary outsiders, from a famous English writer to an American anthropologist, missionaries and the trader Barker, with his quest for gold and epic tales of an adventurous past. And it must encompass the family's links to the ancient gods of pre-missionary times and move through the turn of the nineteenth century, the First World War, the terrible Spanish Influenza Epidemic and beyond.' 

Telesa: The Covenant Keeper by Lani Wendt-Young (Pasifika Books, 2011)

'Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, Samoa is a lush tropical paradise. We walk to a different drum beat. Here, ancient mythology tells of Telesa. Demon women who are guardians of earth and gifted with the elemental powers of Air, Water and Fire, Telesa are vengeful and cruel tales to frighten children-- or are they more than that? From Washington D.C, comes Leila, in search of family,a place to belong. Instead she finds her destiny and it threatens to tear her apart. There is the bewitching call of a telesa sisterhood and there is Daniel. Will Leila embrace her birthright or will she choose the one who offers her his love with a crooked smile and dancing green eyes? Will Daniel be the element that gentles the fire of the Telesa? Or must love burn at the altar of the Telesa covenant?

      There are many different kinds of love. All of them require sacrifice.  Who will give everything for the one they love?' 

When Water Burns by Lani Wendt-Young (Pasifika Books, 2012)

'With Nafanua and the Covenant Sisterhood out of the way, Leila and Daniel are finally able to love without fear of retribution. Or are they? As a malicious telesa plots her revenge, a mysterious stranger arrives on the island. Fuelled by hate and running from a fiery past, he looks to Leila for answers and she must fight to contain the fury of fanua-afi while trying to protect those she loves. It seems this is a battle she must wage alone, for Daniel’s ocean birthright cannot be denied and he refuses to walk beside her. Are Leila and Daniel destined to be forever divided by the elements? When it comes to Water and Fire, daughter of earth and son of the ocean – who will endure? When water burns?' (Sourced from author's website)

The Bone Bearer by Lani Wendt-Young (Pasifika Books, 2013)

'The thrilling, breathlessly anticipated conclusion to The Telesa Series. Leila’s selfless act at the closing of ‘When Water Burns,’ unleashed the demonic fury of Pele the Fire Goddess and now Daniel must fight an epic battle to free the one he loves. Unlikely allies come to his aid as a group of troubled elementals try to overcome their differences and work as a team to save their friend. But Pele’s awakening has caused cataclysmic fear throughout the Telesa guardians of the Pacific and they are gathering their forces, preparing to defend the Blue Continent from the devastating threat of the Fire Goddess. Only one thing can destroy her – the Tangaloa Bone. The race is on to recover the three pieces of this ancient weapon and the question remains: who will wield the power of the Bone Bearer? And can Leila survive its apocalyptic fury?' 

I am Daniel Tahi by Lani Wendt-Young (Pasifika Books, 2012)

'A novella that speaks from Daniel's perspective. Get to know your favorite character in a whole new way as he reveals his sensual, passionate side. (And his sometimes angry, often funny side is pretty unforgettable too!)'