Chantal Spitz


Chantal T. Spitz is a French Polynesian author.

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.

Works

Spitz's work focuses the experiences of indigenous people and she has produced poems, essays, and novels.
Known for her work, L'Ile des rêves écrasés, it 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.
Published works by Spitz include:
Spitz is a founding member of the literary magazine, Littérama’ohi, a French Polynesian publication that aims to showcase authors from French Polynesia.