The Beach of Falesa

by Robert Louis Stevenson and Edmund Gosse

Book Overview

A Stanford University Press classic.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804713995
• ISBN13: 9780804713993
• Release Date: June 1987
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Stevenson's lesser known classic of imperialism in the South Pacific

In this little known story by Robert Louis Stevenson, a trader gets stationed on a small island in the South Pacific, but he immediately has trouble establishing himself as a taboo has been placed on him by the natives. The story brilliantly portrays how any foreigner be he white, black, or Asian holds superiority over the natives. Such relations between races on an isolated island were normal during imperialism but are shocking now. For example, the main character has free choice of any native girl to be his wife. Stevenson honestly portrays imperialism's influence on the island while also exploring the beliefs of the natives and how they can be easily manipulated. This was a great page-turner, one of those rare ones that left me thinking about it months later.

Stunningly brilliant portrail of Island Life & Prejudice.

Probably Robert Luis Stevenson's most brillient work. A sensitive probeing of race relations in a turn of the century setting involving an English Trader and a beautiful island girl. An interesting story, a sensitive love story and an exploration of what is best and what is worst in humanity. This piercing examination is as important today as when Stevenson wrote it.One can easily understand why he did not want it published in his lifetime.