Tales of the Tikongs is a collection of 12 short stories set on the fictional island of Tiko, somewhere in the South Pacific. Tiko and its inhabitants, the Tikongs, are probably based on the island nations of Tonga and Fiji, where writer Epeli Hau'Ofa (1939-2009) lived and worked for much of his life.

Like Tonga and Fiji, Tiko is an isolated archipelago. The nearest major countries are Australia and New Zealand, which are pouring out a torrent of development aid over their small distant neighbour, without really understanding the people and their needs. That is one of the recurring themes in the stories: fishermen who get (free) cows without knowing exactly how to take good care of them. Or a man who needs a typewriter but is forced to start a foundation first and officially ask for thousands of dollars.

Another recurring theme is the double standard of the islanders themselves: to sit in church all day on Sunday and then indulge in all possible sins for six days. Nepotism and government corruption. The somewhat half-hearted work ethic.

The stories are clearly intended to be humorous and somewhat ironic. The trouble with humor is that you can't always understand it in all its finesse if you don't know anything about the context. And I knew absolutely nothing about the islands of the South Pacific. So I was left with a somewhat unsatisfied feeling of often missing the punchline. This was especially true for the stories in which the local population is ridiculed. Still, it was nice to read something from such a (to me) unknown region, where, incidentally, very few books come from. ( )

I can't remember much about this book of short stories by Tongan/Fijian/New Guinean author Epeli Hau'ofa. I borrowed a copy from the San Francisco library, who borrowed it from another institution, and I wasn't able to renew it, so I found myself scrambling to finish it the day it was due and didn't take any notes. But two of the stories are also printed in Lali: A Pacific Anthology, which I have been slowly reading as I work my way through the South Pacific. So I read those two stories again a couple of days ago and...I still can't remember much. There's some very cute and hilarious bit about government corruption and laziness, and some cute and hilarious bit about people in Tiko (a fictionalized version of Tonga) not liking new things (be they vehicles or people) so they break them in quickly and then care for them lovingly for decades. The rest of the book, to my memory, went along much the same way, lots of little winsome anecdotes that are probably very insightful about island life, and perhaps if I hadn't read it sandwiched in among a bunch of other works that are also very insightful about island life, it might have left more of an impression on me. As it is I mostly remember the tone, which is one of fond condescension--along the lines of Tortilla Flat, or The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency--and entirely too cute for my taste.This review is part of a longer review on my blog, Around the World in 2000 Books. ( )

Fiji; it could also serve for Papua New Guinea depending what else I find.

A very funny collection of loosely related short stories and sketches. Affectionately cynical, the author skewers both islanders (who are lazy, sly, rationalize using religion, and rationalize religion itself) and development efforts (which are misguided, bloated, idiotic, and clueless). A really fun book for anyone with a sense of humor about the sometimes-agonizing clash of indigenous and former colonial cultures. ( )

A collection of humorous short stories that focus on the follies of politics and religion. Though sadly, I didn't find this book very funny. At least, I didn't find myself holding my stomach in laughter. I would laugh nervously when I was confused by the violence and infidelity of the characters. I think these situations would make me laugh genuinely in different circumstances, such as in a better narrated story. In the end I just felt confused, wondering if I missed something. ( )