Lillianhowan - Lillian Howan

Koi in Winter

Huahine and Bora Bora

photo: Bruno Leou-on

Lillian, you spent seven years writing The Charm Buyers. What were your inspirations for writing this story?

My inspirations were the land and the people. Tahiti is incredibly beautiful, but there’s also such sadness in its history. I hoped to bring its recent history to life, particularly nuclear testing - but I didn’t want to write a polemic novel. I hope that The Charm Buyers brings the complexity, radiance, darkness, and hopefulness of its individuals to life.

Heartfelt wishes and thanks to everyone!

Village of Turipaoa, Manihi, viewed from the islet of Tatetate

photo: Francoise Holozet-Howan

thank you to my wonderful sister-in-law Francoise Holozet-Howan

Kauehi is an atoll in the Tuamotu archipelago, a vast scattering of atolls and islands in the Pacific.

Kauehi

photo: Francoise Holozet-Howan

Tahiti viewed from Moorea

photo: Lillian Howan

Recycled paper created with paper cranes from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

The paper cranes honor Sadako Sasaki who was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on her home of Hiroshima and twelve when she died of leukemia caused by exposure to radiation.  According to Japanese legend, anyone who folds a thousand origami paper cranes will be granted a wish.  During her lifetime, Sadako began folding paper cranes towards her goal of one thousand and, after her death, her classmates continued folding, completing one thousand paper cranes.