Title: Tales From The Kingdom of Tonga
Author: Ilisapesi Lina Weir
Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC; 1st edition
ISBN: 978-1647534493
Genre: Historical Biographies/Biographies & Memoirs
Pages: 252
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Hollywood Book Reviews
For many people with loving families whom they cherish wholly and completely, finding a means of honoring them becomes a high priority in their lives. One of the ways many people do so involves defining and honing in on their legacy. Some legacies are large and impact the world as a whole, while others are more personal and impact those they love the most, but legacies are a big part of any close-knit family. As director David Lowery once said, “We build our legacy piece by piece, and maybe the whole world will remember you or maybe just a couple of people, but you do what you can to make sure you’re still around after you’re gone.”
In author Ilisapesi Lina Weir’s Tales From The Kingdom of Tonga, the author combines the memories of herself and her sisters, along with several others who were interviewed, and tells the tale of her parents, Mafi Angahiki Helu Sisifa of Lotofoa and Sione Finau Sisifa of Lofanga. Recalling the life led by the author’s parents in Tonga, from its involvement in WWII to church activities, family memories and eventually a move to Auckland, the author gives voice to those who came before, and shares the legacy and traditions of the Tonga people alive.
The author does an excellent job of bringing her parents and their story to life. With many passages allowing readers to step into the shoes of Mafi Angahiki Helu Sisifa of Lotofoa and Sione Finau Sisifa of Lofanga, readers are immersed into this incredible narrative which explores a rich culture and a personal story of family. The attention to detail the author put into this work helps illustrate the ups and downs of both the Tonga people and her parents, and allows readers to also delve into the traditions of the Tonga people and how their history has grown and evolved over the years.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy personal biographies and memoirs, in particular those that explore cultures or nations that are not as widely known to the general world, and those who know the feeling of wanting to honor the lives of their parents as a means of cherishing the life they spent together. As a fan of the genre, it was fascinating to see so much of the Tonga culture and how it impacted the life of the author and their parents, especially how much Christianity and the church itself impacted the family as a whole.
An evenly paced, wonderfully written and memorable read, author Ilisapesi Lina Weir’s Tales From The Kingdom of Tonga is a must-read biography and heartfelt read. The authors attention to detail, when combined with the vivid imagery used throughout the book and the fantastic blend of history and family made this a truly one of a kind read.