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Short Stories· Tonga

Tales of the Tikongs

by Epeli Hauʻofa
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1983English
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About This Book

Few works of short stories have earned the sustained critical attention that Tales of the Tikongs (1983) by Epeli Hauʻofa continues to receive. Epeli Hauʻofa's 'Tales of the Tikongs' is a collection of satirical short stories that offer a humorous yet poignant critique of the impact of Western development on the fictional island of Tiko. Through a series of interconnected tales, Hauʻofa highlights the absurdities and contradictions of modernization, while celebrating the resilience and wit of the island's inhabitants. The book is a significant work in Pacific literature for its sharp social commentary and engaging narrative style. Themes of colonialism, modernization, cultural identity run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorEpeli Hauʻofa
Published1983
Country of Origin🇹🇴 Tonga
LanguageEnglish
Category📄 Short Stories
ISBN9780824812463
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📄 Short Stories

Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.

Explore all Short Stories books →
Country of Origin

🇹🇴 Tonga

This book is part of Tonga's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Tonga →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1983, Epeli Hauʻofa's Tales of the Tikongs is a work of short stories that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with colonialism, modernization, cultural identity, humor gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Tales of the Tikongs lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of colonialism, modernization, cultural identity, humor is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Epeli Hauʻofa's role in the literature of Tonga is well established. Tales of the Tikongs can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

BBC Big Read
notable · regional
19840
✍️
About the Author
Epeli Hauʻofa
Tonga
View Author →

Epeli Hauʻofa is a Tonga author whose work in short stories has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tales of the Tikongs about?

Epeli Hauʻofa's 'Tales of the Tikongs' is a collection of satirical short stories that offer a humorous yet poignant critique of the impact of Western development on the fictional island of Tiko. Through a series of interconnected tales, Hauʻofa highlights the absurdities and contradictions of modernization, while celebrating the resilience and wit of the island's inhabitants. The book is a significant work in Pacific literature for its sharp social commentary and engaging narrative style.

Who wrote Tales of the Tikongs?

Tales of the Tikongs was written by Epeli Hauʻofa, from Tonga. First published in 1983.

What awards has Tales of the Tikongs won?

Tales of the Tikongs has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Tales of the Tikongs worth reading?

Tales of the Tikongs is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in colonialism, modernization, cultural identity.

Where can I buy Tales of the Tikongs?

You can buy Tales of the Tikongs on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Tales of the Tikongs?

Tales of the Tikongs is classified as Short Stories. Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.

What country is Tales of the Tikongs from?

Tales of the Tikongs originates from Tonga's literary tradition. Explore more books from Tonga on our country page.

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