ONE MORNING AN OLD MAN WAKES TO FIND THAT EVERYTHING AROUND HIM NOW FILLS HIM WITH REVULSION. AND WHEN THAT OLD MAN IS FALEASA OSOVAE, THE HIGHEST- RANKING CHIEF IN THE VILLAGE OF MALAELUA THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HIM AND HIS PEOPLE ARE SHATTERING. SUDDENLY THE OLD MAN FEIGNS MADNESS AND BEGINS TO AVOID HIS RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CHIEF. ALBERT WENDT'S POWERFUL AND PROFOUNDLY MOVING NOVEL GRAPPLES WITH THE NEW AND TRADITIONAL FORCES SHAPING SAMOAN SOCIETY AND BRINGS THE PEOPLE OF MALAELUA TO VIVID LIFE.