Reviewed by @readswithrosa

Hyphen American is the debut novel from author Tonga Victoria. It is a coming of age story with a multitude of layers that sees Polynesian culture, genealogy and family, entwined in the underbelly of secret organizations, capitalism and espionage. 

Victoria weaves in cultural elements and mannerisms with purpose, and this is particularly meaningful because respect is highly valued in our Pasifika cultures. Family and public gatherings are usually where you are put to the test in the way you behave and carry yourself, and especially the way in which you speak in front of people. One wrong word or move could reflect badly on your parents. When the protagonist Sam returns home after a rough day at work, her dad can feel her exhaustion, but she knows that she is expected to go around and greet everyone. - ‘𝙷𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛’𝚜 𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍’.

Amidst the development of the plot, the author creates a myriad of opportunities to plant seeds in the mind of the reader around issues of sustainable development and climate change in the South Pacific. She also highlights the influential status and role of women in the family and Tongan society, and how in this ever-evolving world, traditional perspectives pertaining to inheritance and land ownership continue to be challenged and influenced by material wealth.

Whilst the story takes place in several different settings, laced throughout the narrative are stereotypes of Pacific Islanders in the US, and the challenges faced by the diaspora around identity, sustaining their cultural roots, and maintaining a connection to the motherland

This is only the first book in the #HyphenAmericanTrilogy, so hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for book two 🙈. I can’t wait for the audiobook to be released because representation is so important ✊🏽. Go to: www.tongavictoriabooks.com to purchase a copy and support our newest Pasifika author. #RecommendedRead 🌺✌🏽

Fa’afetai lava @tongavictoria 🙏🏽. Malo e gaue lahi lava hoo tohi foou. Fatauange ke hokohoko ai pe ihe kahau.