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In the South Seas Kindle Edition

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 40 ratings

The author of Treasure Island shares true stories of his travels in the Pacific in these portraits of nineteenth-century Tahiti, New Zealand, and beyond.

Setting sail from San Francisco in June 1888, the author of Kidnapped and other classic adventure fiction embarked on a journey of his own. Having endured periods of illness and isolation in his earlier years, Robert Louis Stevenson was determined to see the far corners of the world.

His extensive travels took him to the Hawaiian Islands, the Gilbert Islands, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Samoa, where he would eventually settle. This collection of Stevenson’s writings recounts these wondrous years of nineteenth-century South Seas exploration.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08F9X5NRH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (August 11, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 11, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2771 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 183 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 40 ratings

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
40 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2012
Really, this book made me want to turn my back on old Norway and become a Pacific Wanderer for all future. Stevensons prose is magnificent, persnal, witty, earnest and serious, and what's more, he is a rare example of a Victorian gentleman who met people with plain friendliness and curiosity and respect, which makes you trust everything he says about the King of Apemama, everyday life on Butaritari or cannibalism in the Marquesas Islands. Enjoy it!
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2020
The book may be fine. But the kindle version is unusable due to the format it is in. Everything appears as pictures. The text is very small and you cannot increase the size. Do not buy this version.
12 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2014
this is a great read - the introduction is very long, &, of course, all the comments are out of context, so can be a little confusing. the book itself is more fun to read
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016
A forgotten gem from the past.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2015
great
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2008
Robert Louis Stevenson started to write "In the South Seas" in 1889, sailing at the "Equator", during his second cruise on the Pacific. This trip was taken in the company of his wife, Fanny, his stepson, Lloyd Osbourne, his mother, Margaret Stevenson (Maggie)and a French nurse on service with the Stevensons, since 1887, Valentine Roch; His purpose was to engage in a serious work about of the South Seas, based on his personal experience and on his collection of a lot of informations about the manners and habits os its native inhabitants. However, his wife is not glad. She tells him that his condition as a social scientist is not as good as a writer. Robert Louis Stevenson didn't attempt to Fanny's advice, and he decided to keep on doing his work. Many critics recognize "In the South Seas" as the best travel's book published in the 19th Century. However I believe it is not only a simple travel's book. I think it is like an autobiography, with numerous and reasonable reflections by the author about human life, the occidental cilization, and peoples who live in remote places, without frequent contact with tje white's world. RLS reveals in his book what he has analyzed and understood about these peoples, expressing his ideas about their religion, art and life style. The language the author uses does not have the common prejudiced traceq which is a characterist of European writers. As he mentions the missionaries's action in Pacific islands.he denounces it with strong words and considers this action a crime against these péoples who are not sighted as human beings by Europeans and Americans, at that time, but simply savage men. The characters who appear in "In the South Seas" are represented by RLS with vivid details and we can perceive them as real people. I think "In the South Seas" is an essential book to study the Pacific Islands history and to understand its peoples; moreover, I consider Robert Louis Stevenson a pioneer in anthropological studies on this world's area. In his book, he really announces a new sight on Anthropology - on the Historical Anthropology as it was recently idealized by Marshall Sallins. Unfortunately , the historians of the Cultural Anthropology don't mention a single word about Robert Louis Stevenson's book; and I think is still time to redeem this great injustice.
13 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2002
If you read only one "South Seas" book from the 1920s back, this should be the one. This Penguin issue corrects a number of inaccuracies from previous editions, including Stevenson's own error in their departure date (!) It is the classic travel and observation book of the Pacific. The early descriptions of the Marquesas are unmatched, as are the accounts of the several islands they visited in Kiribati (Gilbert Islands). The account of Tem Binoka will give you a real eye opening into an absolute ruler and his ways in the late 19th century. Reading this could start a life long interest in Pacific literature.
22 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2000
In his book, In the South Seas, Stevenson gives an accurate and in depth look into the people and culture of the islands of the South Pacific. The book describes Stevenson's two year journey from the Marqueses Islands, to Tahiti, then Honolulu ,and finally Somoa. Stevenson uses the great adventures he experienced and his masterfully writing skills to paint a breath taking view of the islands and thier many beauties.
17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

fairwinds
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and meaningful account
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2019
This account by a young RLS manages to capture the atmosphere and the lifestyle of the Pacific Islanders which renders it fascinating for any reader with first hand experience. It conveys the special ambiance of that huge part of the globe, with the added interest of a rather luxurious boat journey.
Ele Math
4.0 out of 5 stars Great background & Interesting!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2013
This is a great opportunity to learn more about an author gave us some of the most memorable "classic" stories. Fascinating details behind the man from whom came characters such as Long John Silver. A great read!
Jane Hoskin
2.0 out of 5 stars Very racist language!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2021
Although obviously reflecting the Victorian attitude at the time, be warned some of the description of indegenous people is racist and offencive!
jose miras
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2017
Good service. The copy is a bit deteriorated. Still fine
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