Sia Figiel

Samoan author tackles taboo topics and stereotypes in new book

Freelove follows a village liasion between a 30-year-old teacher and smart Samoan teenager, who loses her virginity.

Sia Figiel, who is well known for her earlier novels Where we Once Belonged and Girl in the Moon Circle, said it took her six weeks to write the first draft.

Ms Figiel said as well as tackling culturally taboo topics, she wanted to dispel stereotypes.