Joyita: Solving the Mystery [Paperback]

David Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

In 1955 the United States-owned ship Joyita mysteriously disappeared while sailing between Apia, Samoa, and Tokelau in the Pacific Ocean. The ship was discovered in poor condition near Fiji five weeks later, but no trace has ever been found of the 25 crew and passengers who had been aboard. This is an account of events and a thorough investigation of possible explanations. It evokes the exotic expatriate life of the mid-century Pacific Islands with colorful characters and unexpected relationships.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Wright received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and is a lecturer in English at the University of Auckland. He is the author of numerous articles and papers and several books, including Ironies of Ulysses and Characters of Joyce. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Auckland University Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1869402707
• ISBN-13: 978-1869402709
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,563,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars When a mystery becomes a prosaic tragedy, August 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Joyita: Solving the Mystery (Paperback)

In 1955 the 69-foot ship Joyita left Apia, Samoa, carrying 25 people. It never arrived at its intended destination in the Tokelau Islands. Five weeks later, the Joyita was found partially submerged, deserted and drifting, near Fiji. No trace of any aboard the Joyita when she sailed from Apia was ever found. I first learned of the mystery surrounding the Joyita in Alan Villiers's marvelous book "Posted Missing," where it is mentioned in passing. (Villiers's book was published at a time when the Joyita, apparently, was still missing). My interest piqued, I was eager to acquire David Wright's book and look more deeply into the mystery. Wright is an academic, and his analysis of the Joyita's fateful voyage reflects that, being well-reasoned, persuasive, and somewhat dry. Wright's book left me disappointed, as I had been after delving into the mystery of the Mary Celeste. (The dust jacket refers to the Joyita as the "South Pacific Mary Celeste," an appellation that is especially apt given Wright's conclusion.) In fairness to the author, I suspect the potential for disappointing is inherently high when an investigation turns a mystery into a prosaic tragedy.