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Literary Fiction· Samoa

The Mango's Kiss

by Albert Wendt
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2003English
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About This Book

Published in 2003, The Mango's Kiss established Albert Wendt as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. In 'The Mango's Kiss', Albert Wendt weaves a tale of love and loss set against the backdrop of Samoa's rich history and culture. The novel explores the tensions between tradition and change, capturing the essence of Samoan life and the complexities of human relationships. Wendt's storytelling is both poignant and insightful, making this work a valuable addition to the canon of Pacific literature. Themes of love, loss, tradition run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAlbert Wendt
Published2003
Country of Origin🇼🇸 Samoa
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780824828896
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇼🇸 Samoa

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

Explore books from Samoa →

Editorial Assessment

The Mango's Kiss by Albert Wendt sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2003 in Samoa, it engages with love, loss, tradition, change in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Mango's Kiss among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 0 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Mango's Kiss is how it handles its central concerns — love, loss, tradition, change — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Mango's Kiss reflects Albert Wendt's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Samoa's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from multiple 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.
✍️
About the Author
Albert Wendt
Samoa
View Author →

Albert Wendt is a Samoa author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Mango's Kiss about?

In 'The Mango's Kiss', Albert Wendt weaves a tale of love and loss set against the backdrop of Samoa's rich history and culture. The novel explores the tensions between tradition and change, capturing the essence of Samoan life and the complexities of human relationships. Wendt's storytelling is both poignant and insightful, making this work a valuable addition to the canon of Pacific literature.

Who wrote The Mango's Kiss?

The Mango's Kiss was written by Albert Wendt, from Samoa. First published in 2003.

What awards has The Mango's Kiss won?

The Mango's Kiss has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Mango's Kiss worth reading?

The Mango's Kiss 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 love, loss, tradition.

Where can I buy The Mango's Kiss?

You can buy The Mango's Kiss on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Mango's Kiss?

The Mango's Kiss is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Mango's Kiss from?

The Mango's Kiss originates from Samoa's literary tradition. Explore more books from Samoa on our country page.

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