In the South Seas (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Robert Louis Stevenson (Author), Neil Rennie (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: December 1, 1999

"In The South Seas" records Stevenson's travels with his wife Fanny and their family in the Marquesas, the Paumotus and the Gilbert Islands during 1888-9. Originally drafted in journal form while Stevenson travelled, it was then ambitiously rewritten to describe the islands and islanders as well as Stevenson's own personal experiences. "In The South Seas" was published posthumously in 1896. Its combination of personal anecdote and historical account, of autobiography and anthropology, of Stevenson and South Sea Islands, has a particular charm.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) became a professional writer when he became afflicted with a severe respiratory illness in his early twenties. Many of his works are available in Penguin Classics, including' Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' and 'Weir of Hermiston'. Neil Rennie is a Lecturer in English at UCL, and is currently completing a book about travel writing and the New World for OUP.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140434364
• ISBN-13: 978-0140434361
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,164,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible to Readers of the Pacific, March 8, 2002

By 

divad sorcron (Oahu) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the South Seas (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the South Seas, October 22, 2000

By 

KENNETH HARPER (Macon, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the South Seas (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Lous Stevenson is not only the author of "Treasure Island"d", October 27, 2008

By 

Waldir Freitas Oliveira (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the South Seas (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

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.