Sons for the Return Home

First published in 1973, this book by Samoan author Albert Wendt must have been pretty edgy back then. It is pretty edgy now.

In spite of the blurb (both on the book and on GR) it is not set in Auckland, but Wellington, and is the story of a Samoan boy brought by his family to New Zealand to complete his schooling. Over the course of the novel, he completes his University degree and the family return home to their Samoan village.

The theme throughout the novel is race - racial stereotypes, racial interactions, racial self-identity, inter-racial relationships. Not as you might expect just Samoan peoples relationships with palagi (Samoan for white, or European people), but Samoans with Maori; New Zealand Samoans with Island Samoans; town Samoans with rural Samoans. But primarily the story revolves around the two main characters referred to as “he” and “she” throughout. “He” is Samoan, and “ she” is his white girlfriend.

The story covers a number of unpleasant themes - violence, domestic violence, infidelity, relationship problems to do with trust and communication. Religion is examined - mostly because “he” doesn't prescribe to religion, despite the Samoan culture overwhelmingly following Christianity. This book also exposes the flaws in each of the characters.

I enjoyed the writing, which felt more modern than it is. The dual timeline chapters were also well done - having to guess at the characters involved, but not such that it didn't become obvious. There was much honesty in the writing. Supposedly semi-autobiographical, the story is continually tinged in sadness.

4 stars.