Chantal T. Spitz (born 11 November 1954) is a Mā’ohi author and activist.

Biography

Spitz was born in

Papeete Papeete (Tahitian language, Tahitian: ''Papeete'', pronounced ) is the capital city of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of the France, French Republic in the Pacific Ocean. The Communes of France, commune of Papeete is located on the isl ...

, French Polynesia, in 1954. Although raised outside of French Polynesia, after completing her education she returned and now lives in

Huahine Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Leeward Islands group ''(Îles sous le Vent).'' At the 2017 census it had a population of 6,075. ...

. Spitz's work focuses the experiences of indigenous people. She has produced poems, essays, and novels. Her best-known work, ''L'Ile des rêves écrasés'', is the first ever novel by an indigenous French Polynesian writer. Set in French Polynesia in the time period leading up to the first nuclear tests in the region, it tells the story of several generations of Mā’ohi. Due to its criticisms of the French government, its publication in French Polynesia was polarising. In 2007 it was translated into English by Jean Anderson, as ''

Island of Shattered Dreams An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An islan ...

'', and published by

Huia Publishers Huia Publishers (HUIA) is a book publishing company based in Wellington, New Zealand established in 1991. HUIA publish material in Māori language and English for adults and children. HUIA was founded by Robyn Rangihuia Bargh (CNZM) and her ...

. Spitz is a founding member of the literary magazine, ''Littérama’ohi'', a French Polynesian publication that aims to showcase authors from French Polynesia.

Selected works

* ''L'Ile des rêves écrasés'' (1991) * ''Hombo, transcription d'une biographie'' (2002) * ''Pensées insolentes et inutiles'' (2006) * ''Elles, terre d'enfance'' (2011) *''Cartes postales'' (2015)

Biography

Selected works

References

Further reading