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Where We Once Belonged

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( 636 ratings, 102 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Where We Once Belonged by Sia Figiel explores the life of a Samoan teenager, Alofa Filiga, as she navigates the challenges of adolescence in a traditional village. The novel captures her journey through friendships, cultural expectations, and the quest for identity amidst the changing landscapes of both society and personal growth. Its vivid portrayal of Samoan culture offers a unique insight into the beauty and complexity of its traditions and the coming-of-age experience.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in deeply immersive narratives that explore the complexities of cultural identity and personal growth. With its rich storytelling set against the backdrop of the Pacific Islands, this novel offers a poignant journey through tradition, modernity, and the challenges of finding one's place within both.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A bestseller in New Zealand and winner of the prestigious Commonwealth Prize, Sia Figiel's debut marks the first time a novel by a Samoan woman has been published in the United States.

Figiel uses the traditional Samoan storytelling form of su'ifefiloi to talk back to Western anthropological studies of Samoan women and culture. Told in a series of linked episodes, this powerful and highly original narrative follows 13-year-old Alofa Filiga as she navigates the mores and restrictions of her village and comes to terms with her own search for identity.

"A story of Samoan puberty blues, in which Gauguin is dead but Elvis lives on." – Vogue Australia

"A storytelling triumph." – Elle Australia

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781885030276

Publisher: Kaya Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 December 1999

Country: United States

Imprint: Kaya/Muae

Illustration: 10 Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Edited by Sia Figiel

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 183.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 248

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