Chantal Spitz

Chantal T. Spitz (born 11 November 1954) is a French Polynesian author.

Chantal Spitz
Born	(1954-11-18) 18 November 1954 Papeete, French Polynesia
Occupation	Author
Language	French
Residence	Huahine, French Polynesia
Notable works	L'Ile des rêves écrasés

Background

Spitz was born in Papeete, French Polynesia, in 1954. Although raised outside of French Polynesia, after completing her education she returned and now lives in Huahine.[1]

Works

Spitz's work focuses the experiences of indigenous people and she has produced poems, essays, and novels.[2]

Known for her work, L'Ile des rêves écrasés, it is the first ever novel by an indigenous French Polynesian writer.[3] 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, and published by Huia Publishers.[4]

Published works by Spitz include:

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

Spitz is a founding member of the literary magazine, Littérama’ohi, a French Polynesian publication that aims to showcase authors from French Polynesia.[2]

References

1. "Chantal T. Spitz". Île en île (in French). 27 February 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
2. "Chantal Spitz". Huia. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
3. Webb, Jen; Nandan, Kavita Ivy (2007). Writing the Pacific: An Anthology. Institute of Pacific Studies. p. 150. ISBN 9823660166.
4. "Island of Shattered Dreams". Huia. Retrieved 4 November 2017.

Further reading

Spitz is featured in Sonia Fassel's book, Poètes de Tahiti (2001).