Name: Afakasi Woman
ISBN: 9780995117150

Lani Wendt Young

Collection of stories about pacific women by Lani Wendt Young. A finalist in NZ Childrens and Young Peoples Book Awards 2019 and a Storylines Notable Book 2019

Afakasi Woman

This is my first introduction to Samoan and Oceania literature. I love it! It's lighthearted, fun, and vibrant at the beginning, heartbreaking, and sadly realistic at the later part, and relatable throughout. Afakasi is the term used for people born from Samoan and Palagi (Caucasian) parents. So to say, this book highlights Afakasi's experiences trying to fit in between the 2 worlds, and both the joyous and painful part of being a woman in the ever oppressing patriarchal culture. At first, I struggled with the use of unfamiliar Samoan words which I had to google every so often in the middle of reading. But the writer did a good job giving a clear and wide-scoped picture of Samoan life in mere 128 pages that such a new world for me ended up so close to home.

There are a lot of memorable short stories. Many parts made me smile. They remind me of mudik to a noisy, close-knitted, and warm atmosphere of a village full of extra caring relatives, neighbors, and childhood friends. Kinda vexing but also lovely, haha. But it's not all sunny. "Don't Tell" absolutely caught me by surprise. I commend Wendt Young who can skillfully utilize the simple and raw narrative to capture how unfair the system is against women, and deliver a powerful and poignant story. Honestly, it still hurts so much, especially for the fact that the sexual violence victim was a child, and even though her case got processed to a degree, society still fails to give her the safe place she deserves. And 'don't tell' that was enforced on her becomes the words she believes and chanted herself. The avenging Teine Sā tale at the end of the book is awesome. But it also stings because not everyone has a shapeshifting spirit grandma with a slasher. It's a consoling empty dream in a world full of lonely victims. If only everyone has a Teine Sā :(

So yeah, this book has been a vivid and colorful experience, a loudspeaker for the silenced, and a precious homage for women. I'd recommend it for everyone, but do check the TWs!

Afakasi Woman

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