Fourteen years later, it's time for another ritual—Materena's "Welcome to Womanhood"speech. But the traditional words of motherly wisdom aren't appropriate for Leilani, who is already smart enough to know that old wives' tales aren't true like the facts in her encyclopedias, and that science takes precedence over superstition. Leilani is every bit as smart and inquisitive as Materena wanted her to be. So why is Materena praying to the Virgin Mary for the strength to resist throwing her daughter into the street?

Célestine Hitiura Vaite's irresistible novel is filled with wisdom, laughter, and two of the stubbornest women you will ever meet. It's such a vibrant, colourful slice of Tahitian life you can almost smell the frangipani.