A Review by Nadine Millar

A harrowing read, as you'd expect, but beautifully and sensitively put together by the author Lani Wendt Young. This is a meticulously researched book published only a year after the Tsunami - in other words, while the memories of the day were still raw for the survivors. It's hard to ascertain how many people were interviewed for this book but it seems like hundreds - from those who were directly in the path of the Galu Afi - Wave of Fire to those who were a part of the rescue and recovery effort. Sources include first-hand interviews with survivors and emergency and aid workers, as well as material from television and print media, journals, government reports, and seismic, meteorological and geological data.

The book is organised chronologically - an historical foundation is laid first (i.e. what experience the Samoan people had had of Tsunami prior to 2009 and therefore how prepared they were), followed by "The Earthquake", "Evacuation", "The Wave", through to "First Response", "How will we cope", "The Hospital", and so on until the closing chapters of "We Remember the Dead" and "After. Thoughts". In total there are 25 chapters, each one made up of different voices telling their individual stories.

I wouldn't have envied Wendt Young's task - she had to weigh up one story against another against another. It might have been tempting to devote whole pages to one family's tale - even, arguably, disrespectful not to - but Wendt Young doesn't allow the reader to dwell too long in one story. Or when the going gets tough she'll leave a family in peace, as if allowing them the privacy to grieve, coming back to their story in a few pages time. The desire for this book to be something other than the the literary equivalent of a bad car accident depicted in morbid detail for the benefit of nosy, insensitive onlookers is clearly evident. Likewise, Wendt Young manages to tell the most heart breaking of stories without succumbing to pity - if that makes sense. She just tells the story - or, more accurately, allows the stories to be told as they are, without layers and layers of thick, overbearing emotive language. You'll still cry though. Here, for example, Sili recalls how, trapped by debris with his 4 year old nephew in his arms, he had no choice but to let him go.

"When I looked up the water was about two meters above me and I didn't know what to do with my nephew. When I thought he may have a chance, I just released him, I pushed him up towards the light".

Sili's nephew never made it.

If you've ever been to Samoa, ever stayed at Lalomanu, this book will have an even greater impact on you. You know that stretch of beach, you woke up to all that white sand and the turquoise water peaking through the drop-blinds of the fale. As you read this book, you can picture yourself being there. For me, having lived in Samoa for four years and recognising a number of people whose stories are told in these pages, including Sili & Tai's, it's not an easy trip to take at all. If you're Samoan, on the other hand, I could actually imagine this book being impossibly tough to read. You would know so many of these families if not personally, then in some way or another - the community is that small.

The upshot of all this, is that you should beg, borrow or steal yourself a copy of this book however you can. That may be easier said than done however - my edition was published with funding from Ausaid... and it's registering unavailable on Fishpond or Amazon. Thanks to Marion for sending me this copy, always could count on you! Good luck tracking it down folks, and if any commercial publishers are reading this here's a piece of gold for you!

You can find the original review posted on Goodreads, here: Goodreads.

Community is vital to survival.

Anna at GetJealous.com talks about her experience visiting Aleipata and reading "Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi". Anna's travelling the world and you can follw her adventures online.

"Today I woke up at 5:45 am to catch the Lalomanu bus back into Apia, the capital of Samoa. I'm on the island of Upolu, the one everyone says is "not the real Samoa" and "doesn't have the good beaches" and "blah, blah, blah". Through SERVAS (Man, I love this organization, it's made my trip), I managed to connect with a woman who runs a wellness retreat in Salea'aumua (which I can finally pronounce).

Salea'aumua (sal-ay-uh-ow-moo-ah) is in Aleipata (come on, it's not that hard, you can do it!), which is the district of Upolu that was most seriously damaged by the 2009 tsunami. Read: Aleipata was basically destroyed. Most people that died in the tsunami in Samoa, died here. One family, the Taufuas, who run a beach fale resort here, lost 13 loved ones, spanning four generations. Driving through town, the road is several meters closer to the sea than it was before (shore washed away), and the foundations of houses that were leveled are still there. People either rebuilt next to them or moved far inland to escape the unpredictability of the sea. One village, Saleapaga (sal-ay-uh-pan-gah), completely moved inland except for one determined business owner, now the only building in the old Saleapaga. These people, if they are anything, they are resilient.

I stayed with Lee Letiu for 4 nights. During that time, I had the opportunity to attend church, be treated to yet ANOTHER Sunday family umu, spend a day visiting a secondary school (at which I managed to score a copy of Samoa's secondary science curriculum goals - OMG!), and read an incredible book that wove together tsunami survivor stories (which Lee was included in). Not only did I get to experience village life where there are no resorts, I got to see a school, talk to teachers and a principal, observe classes, and most of all - learn from people who have honestly looked death in the face and somehow managed to survive.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who is interested in what the tsunami was like here, what the response was, and how people coped economically, emotionally, etc. It's called Pacific Tsunami - Galu Afi by Lani Wendt Young. It's incredibly well-written, and although I'm positive that being in the place while I read it was a big part of it's meaning, I still think everyone should read it.

Now, I come from a solid family. There was love in our house growing up, and there is still love - we are strong and united, and I know my family would support me in a heartbeat if I needed them (hell, they are right now). But I was blown away by the degree of family support outlined in the Aleipata survivors' stories. Remember the Taufua family? They lost 13 family members because they spent so much time saving their GUESTS, because they considered them as important as family. People ran from the first wave, and ran back to save family, friends, strangers - because in Samoa, the village, the district, the island is connected by extended family. Community is vital to survival. In fact, after the tsunami, there were no refugee camps - because EVERYONE had family to take them in somewhere. If they had no family left, someone was kind enough to include them in their family that day. I mean, the society is not without flaws, but the family structure is thought to have saved many people in this particular disaster just because the response was so immediate.

Anyway, it struck me as really beautiful, and sitting by the ocean reading that book on a calm day was so unnerving - when just over a year ago the ocean took a lot from these people, yet they continue to live in harmony with it, fishing, swimming..."

Lee Letiu with her copy of the book at Saleaumua.

What are they saying about 'Pacific Tsunami - Galu Afi'?

"a small but important part of the healing process this beautifully crafted book is an interconnected series of tales from the survivors, rescuers, medical teams and aid workers, recording a significant moment in Pacific history. Woven graciously and empathetically by Lani, the book tells stories of villagers and tourists alike." Chris Cocker, Editor, Pacific Connection, Issue 22, Pacific Cooperation Foundation

What Readers are saying about 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi'

I just had to write and let you know that I'm so grateful that the documentation of a sad and tragic time in the history of our people was assigned to you. You're a gifted and brilliant writer. 'Pacific Tsunami' is a remarkable feat given you had only a short time (one year?) to complete it. I absolutely love your writing. 'Galu Afi' should be on everyone's reading list. Congratulations on a great achievement. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Daniel Pouesi, California, USA

"I congratulate you on such a detailed and faith-filled masterpiece of historical documentation. You can be sure that this book will be part of the history of American Samoa."
Most Rev. J. Quinn Weitzel, Bishop of Samoa - Pago Pago.

What readers are saying about 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi'.

Wow. I ordered Galu Afi online and received it last week. I devoured it in 4 days...during which time I shed a lot of tears, had a few laughs, but most of all, felt an overwhelming sense of admiration and love for the brave people of Samoa...some of whom I am supremely proud to call my friends and colleagues. Thank you Lani for an amazing book!
Kate Groves, Australia.