Having won a scholarship to a leading girls' school in Papeete (Pape'ete), she became interested in works by French authors like Balzac, Flaubert, Zola and Maupassant. Frangipani, which has been published in 14 countries to date, was shortlisted for the 2005 NSW Premier's Literary Awards and longlisted for the 2006 Orange Prize. L'arbre à pain is also reputed to be the most widely read book in French Polynesia. Her first two novels have been translated into French.

Vaite thus brings attention on a region of the world that Western literature has relegated to travel guides or often described in exotic terms. The novels describe life in contemporary Tahiti from an inside perspective, through anecdotes and often with great humor. Her first three novels-Breadfruit, Frangipani, and Tiare-follow Materena Mahi, a 'professional cleaner' who lives in Faaa.

Vaite has stated that writing in English gives her a wider audience as well as a greater creative freedom. Though a native French speaker, Vaite notably writes in English. In her youth, Vaite grew up immersed in traditional storytelling. The daughter of a Tahitian mother and French father, Vaite grew up in the commune of Faaa (Faa'a) on the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia. TIARE IN BLOOM is the heartwarming story of a couple facing big changes on a small island-and a love that outlasts it all.Ĭélestine Hitiura Vaite is a Tahitian writer Anxious to pull his weight and set things right, Pito embarks on a hilarious and noble mission to prove himself to his granddaughter, his wife, and-most importantly-himself. Luckily for Pito, his opportunity comes when a threemonth-old girl named Tiare-rumored to be their son Tomatoa's daughter-is left on the Mahis' doorstep. And why does a Tahitian woman need to know how to drive, anyway? He tries to shrug it off, but when Materena gives him the silent treatment and doesn't come home after a night of dancing, Pito has had enough! How is he supposed to fix things with Materena when she doesn't even give him a chance? She's spending more and more time at work and with her girlfriends instead of coming home to cook for him.

Now that Materena is a big star with her radio talk show, Pito can't help noticing some changes in his wife. (Now that Materena is a big star with her radio talk show.)

Frangipani by Célestine Hitiura Vaite