Chantal T. Spitz (born 11 November 1954) is a
Mā’ohi author and activist.
Biography
Spitz was born in
Papeete
Papeete ( Tahitian: ''Papeete'', pronounced ) is the capital city of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of the French Republic in the Pacific Ocean. The commune of Papeete is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivisi ...
, 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'', and published by
Huia Publishers.
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)
References
Further reading
* Spitz is featured in Sonia Fassel's book, ''Poètes de Tahiti'' (2001).
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spitz, Chantal
1954 births
Living people
People from Papeete
People from Huahine
French Polynesian women writers
Tahitian women