I bought this book from ThriftBooks to use in an Around-the-World type of reading challenge that I'm doing right now. I don't know much about its previous life other than it shipped from a warehouse in IL to my mailing address in NY, and I have now brought it home with me to Ontario, Canada!

I finished reading this book a few days ago, but it's been an extra crazy holiday around here (my husband needed an emergency wisdom tooth extraction on the evening of the 23), so I haven't had a chance to journal it.

This book was difficult to read at times... It's from the 1800s and it's set in various places around Oceania, and in some ways there is a lot you have to look beyond. I have read other reviews that have praised it greatly, and also some that have been like "I don't know if RLS was really racist or if he is trying to show the racism that was prevalent at the time and use it to make points..." Personally, I believe it to be the latter, and I can see it making a big difference to your experience with the book if you feel uncertain about it.

There is a section of notes at the end of this edition, and I found them to be very helpful. I wasn't expecting to use them much, but I did. I found them helpful in giving some translations/background to references and terminologies that are not as common knowledge these days. I found it especially helpful with some nautical terms.


Side note: My own recommendation would be to read RLS's "In the South Seas" either before this one or congruently with it. ITSS is non-fiction about RLS's own experiences travelling and living in that part of the world, and I think reading it alongside "South Sea Tales" enhanced the experience with the latter book. In the nonfiction, you can see the real-life inspiration for some of the fictional stories, and I believe it clarifies RLS's own position which helps to clarify the tone and context of some of the fictional stories as well.

I'm not sure what is next for this book, but I'm thinking I'd like to send both it and ITSS on to another reader... I just don't know who or where or when! Stay tuned.

This book, along with In the South Seas, is on the move! It's travelling to the winner of the latest Golden Spurtle Sweepstakes. Congratulations and enjoy!

Thank you very much for both books and the amazing bookmark JessicaEby!

I think I have read all or nearly all Robert Louis Stevenson's literature works by now, either in Greek either in English or both ( I tend to revisit his books every now and then during the years), but I don't recall this one, while his nonfiction works are much harder to find. I don't think I have read these two books and I'm very much interested to do so and I really appreciate your generosity to send me both!

I agree that sometimes it's difficult to read a book written at a different time and place, in a different cultural context with all the prejudices and different mind-sets of the era. But I always try not to judge a book by today's standards and see what I make of it.

I'm glad that "In the South Seas" you got the impression that the author "seems to have been an open-minded, adventure seeking man who was eager to observe and understand the cultures of the different people he was meeting. It sounds to me like he was a respectful visitor who genuinely wanted to increase the knowledge and understanding of other cultures throughout the "civilized world" for all the right reasons."

This is a very hectic time of the year for me, but I hope the books won't wait too long to be read.

Thank you again very very much for sending both books all the way from Canada to Greece! BookCrossers are great people!

I enjoyed this book very much! The stories aren't flawless but Robert Louis Stevenson always creates interesting stories and characters.

I have read all the stories in my native language, Greek, in the past and reading the stories in English enriched very much the experience. While I'm usually not very fond of editor's notes and too many footnotes and analysis in a book, I found these useful here. Many references and turns of phrase explained and lots of other interesting info on all kind of stuff besides.

The Beach of Falesá - 8/10 A very clever plot, beautifully crafted and R. L. Stevenson sets the tune of critisizing the attitude of white colonists and painting a sympathetic attitude towards the native population more or less. One of a few stories where a female character appears in any significant role in this author's work and a vibrant character it is too. While she falls in love with the other main character for no reason and sometimes the author is ambiguous about her traits, this is still a great example of how out of the box of his era Stevenson was and what a great spirit and questioning mind he possesed in general. As it applies in all the stories of the book, the descriptions of the location and the ambiance of the place is great too.

The Bottle Imp - 8/10 This is an example on how small details explained might make a difference while reading a book. At some point there are some references to a cemetery and I got a bit confused when I first read the story, thinking that the narration will take a different direction. But the notes put things into perspective, that Stevenson describes a specific location where an old local king who was believed to be a god, was possible buried according to the locals.

RL Stevenson wrote this with Polynesian people in mind rather than its fellow Europeans and customized a theme known to Europeans through older legends and books to fit the Hawaiian setting which he visited a few years earlier. His recent experiences in the area are mixed into the book with local words, people's names, towns descriptions and so on.

The core theme touches a well-known concept: Selling one's soul to devil. It comes with the usual complications and didactic morals but the prose and wit of Stevenson makes it a very enjoyable read. As it often happens with such stories, there is a strong paradox in the story, but considering human nature, maybe it's not a paradox after all...


The Isle of Voices - 8/10 A very enjoyable and lively fable. Again one can't see why the female characters behave as they behave, but it's a great read, full of beautiful descriptions.

The Ebb-Tide: A Trio and Quartet - 9/10 This was co-authored with Lloyde Osbourne, Stevenson's step son. I liked very much the various connotations to all kind of stuff, the lively descriptions of the setting, the adventure element, the moral dilemmas and the psychographs of the characters. There are many twists and turns, both on the action and on the characters' internal lives.

The Cart-Horses and the Saddle-Horse -6/10 A very short fable, poignant and kind of funny.

Something in It 7/10- An other short fable cleverly written. It provides food for though. Once again you can see between the lines how different than his contemporary Europeans R L Stevenson was. A quick and interesting read.

Thanks once again for sharing JessicaEby.

This book got itchy feet again and wants to trot the globe making many new friends along the way. So I took it with me on Naxos island, Cyclades.
And then... Who knows?

Good Luck little book and Don't forget to write your news from time to time!

Released on Panermos beach of Naxos, maybe the remotest beach of the island.

It is a small cove featuring some palm trees and I thought there are a few similarities with the book cover, so a fun release spot!

Δεν γνωρίζω αγγλικά για να το διαβάσω, οπότε τα αφήνω εκεί που το βρήκα!! ΣΤΟΝ ΠΆΝΕΡΜΟ ΣΤΗΝ ΝΆΞΟ.