jdm
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 133
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TIARE Celestine Hitiura Vaite (sequel to FRANGIPANI)
tiare (also called Tahitian gardenia): a bush producing snow-white flowers and dark green glossy leaves; its sweet perfume is reminiscent of gardenia. It is the emblem of Tahiti.
Materena has worked in the Radio Tefana studio for a year now. Her program is the most popular in Tahiti and she is a star. On the other hand her husband Pito is ‘a big zero’. They have been together over 20 years and Materena is used to Pito’s ways. In his view a man does not need much to be happy – food, sexy loving, peace and quiet; he is not bothered that Materena likes nothing he likes – drinking, fishing, football and reading comics in bed.
However, when he says something which ‘hurts so deep she can’t breathe’, the situation changes. Six days of silence follow (the previous record was three) and even the insensitive Pito sees there is a problem. Eventually he realises that Materena is everything his mother is not; Materena is the most loving person he has ever known. When she goes to a nightclub without him, he is restless and worried, ‘glowing with question marks’. Now he wants to rescue the situation but has he left it too late?
On the evening he decides to walk into the house a different man and ask for a second chance, he gets a shock. A beautiful little person called Tiare makes an appearance and works a miracle. What follows will touch your heart, make you laugh and maybe make you cry. What is this miracle? I don’t want to give too much away but I will say this: you will see a wiser, kinder Pito – a Pito transformed. Materena, Tamatoa, Moana and Leilani feature in the story too but the focus is always Pito.
The ending is perfectly lovely. Thank to Pito there is a wonderful surprise for Materena and the reader. I smile every time I think about it. Like Frangipani this novel is full of warmth, humour and wisdom.
Edited by jdm (27/04/2008 21:15)
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duckegg
member
Reged: 26/02/2007
Posts: 876
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Thanks jdm - Your enjoyment of this book leaps out from the screen. After reading Frangipani I wasn't sure that I'd want to read a sequel, but you're review has changed my mind.
I've just reserved it on-line from local library
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jdm
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 133
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Thanks, duckegg.
I really enjoyed Tiare - for 'feel good factor' I rate it ten out of ten!
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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I could do with some 'feel good factor' right now, so I'll be getting Tiare, too, jdm! thanks for the recommendation.
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nannyconnie
member
Reged: 05/03/2008
Posts: 273
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Lovely review jdm,as always.Really makes me want to read it too.Luckily I have bought it so I shall now move it higher up the "TO READ" pile.
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jdm
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 133
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Hi Sealover and nannyconnie,
So nice to find your comments after (another) long day at work!
The book I am reading this week has brought me down to earth with a bump (no feel good factor here!) – it’s South of the River by Blake Morrison.
The setting is mostly London (rather different to Tahiti); the story begins at the time of Labour’s election victory in 1997 and ends five years later. The central characters seem so real that I feel I know them; the blurb on the back of the book describes them as ‘a dysfunctional group – all different yet connected’. Sometimes their problems are solved but more often they are not and the only answer is to accept whatever hand fate deals them. In other words this book reflects real life!
It is very well written and very readable - I recommend it. However, I shall make sure the next book I read is one to lift my spirits!
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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That sounds like a good read, too, jdm! I'll put it on my ever-growing list of books to read.
Isn't it great to read different types of stories, as you have done, following a 'feel good' with a more down to earth story? I've got what you might call an eclectic range of books on my shelves and I love going a picking the next book to read from my 'library' (actually, it's some shelves on the landing and various piles all over the house, but 'library' sounds good!).
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CatherineH
member
Reged: 01/05/2008
Posts: 13
Loc: Henley-on-Thames
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I have recently retired (62) and being an avid reader am very keen to join a Book Club in the Henley-on-Thames area - can anyone help? Alternatively I would be happy to start one if there are 2/3 local people who would be interested in meeting monthly.
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jdm
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 133
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Hi CatherineH,
Sorry I can’t help you with a book club in your area. I live miles from Henley-on-Thames! I think you would get a better response, if you post a new thread on the Book Club Forum. Good Luck!
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