Leaves of the Banyan Tree
About the book
A three-generation saga explores family and community in Samoa under colonialism and ambition.
Oceania · A READING GUIDE
Samoa
Move from Albert Wendt’s family saga to Alofa’s coming of age in Sia Figiel’s Where We Once Belonged. They Who Do Not Grieve extends the women’s perspective across three generations and the space between Samoa and New Zealand. Wild Dogs Under My Skirt offers a poetry route through Samoan-New Zealand writer Tusiata Avia. For young adults and fantasy readers, Telesā builds a contemporary story around Samoan spirit traditions.
WHERE TO START
- Leaves of the Banyan TreeAlbert Wendt
- Where We Once BelongedSia Figiel
- Wild Dogs Under My SkirtTusiata Avia
Books to begin with
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Where We Once Belonged
About the book
Thirteen-year-old Alofa grows up in a Samoan village, confronting communal expectations and her emerging identity.
They Who Do Not Grieve
About the book
Three generations of women in Samoa and New Zealand speak through memory, tattooing and self-determination.
Wild Dogs Under My Skirt
About the book
The Samoan-New Zealand writer’s poetry collection explores womanhood, family and life between cultures.
Telesā: The Covenant Keeper
About the book
Leila arrives in Samoa, where a family secret connects her to telesā spirits and their powers.
Sons for the Return Home
About the book
A Samoan student’s relationship with a white New Zealander exposes racial and family boundaries.
The Savage Coloniser Book
About the book
Poems confront colonial violence, racism and contemporary evasions of responsibility.
Context and sources
Sources on authors and their connections to this country. Specific edition details appear beside each book. Polish and English originals are not labelled as translations.
- Albert Wendt — University of Hawaiʻi Press ↗
- Albert Wendt — University of Hawaiʻi ↗
- Sia Figiel — Kaya Press ↗
- Sia Figiel — Kaya Press ↗
- Tusiata Avia — Victoria University Press ↗
- Lani Wendt Young — OneTree House ↗
- Sons for the Return Home — University of Hawaiʻi Press ↗
- The Savage Coloniser Book — Victoria University Press ↗
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