Folk Tales
p. 61 · Read in the full issue
Of Tonga
Here is a book that it is joy to hold and to read.
It is a book of folk tales from Tonga, told in both English and Tongan, and claims to be the first of such written in both langu ages. It is well written and, mercifully, written to give pleasure in its reading and not for some deadly pur pose such as encouraging literacy, or preserving some heritage. These purposes manage to kill a book dead before its reviewers do.
Thus this book becomes a valuable addition to Tonga’s ancient oral literature (if one may use such a phrase). The illus trations by Nick Rott are
imaginative.
With all the folk tales and legends and stories of culture heroes which have been produced for various reasons throughout the Pacific it is good that at last out of the murk this book has, like a phoenix, arisen to light the way.
Perhaps now that a book of stories has been produced without an ulterior pur pose, but as the author, Tupou Posesi Fanua, says, “written for entertainment’s sake, to while away some time”, other parts of the Pacific may follow the example.
My congratulations to Tupou Posesi, the grand mother who has recalled her own grandmother’s tales, and to Tofua Press who produced them. I look forward to more from both. —Peter Livingston. (PO PANANGA, by Tupou Posesi Fanua. published by Tofua Press, 10457-F Roselle St, San Diego, California, illustrated by Nick Rott. No price given).