The Return of Lono: A Novel of Captain Cook's Last Voyage

by O.A. Bushnell

Book Overview

This story is a fictional reconstruction of the momentous visit to the island of Hawaii in 1779 by Captain James Cook and his company aboard H.M.S. Resolution and Discovery. The natives believed this... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870229311
• ISBN13: 9780870229312
• Release Date: June 1979
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Great read - seemed very accurate

I really enjoy reading historical fiction, in this case as far as I know it seems really accurate (as I looked up a few things). I am ashamed to admit that I didn't know that William Bligh was a crew member under the command of Capt. Cook. As many know Mr. Bligh would go on to be the Capt. of the HMS Bounty. The author uses a young English seaman to tell his tale. The interesting part of that is how he (as well as the other Englishmen) refer to Hawaiians as Indians, but I would think in their time anybody who was brown was an Indian. The story makes you appreciate how difficult communication could be between two groups who do not speak the same language. And if you read this (which you should) you'll find many other difficulties two diverse cultures coming together can present.

Realistic portrayal of Cook's last voyage

This novel paints a realistic and believable portrait of Cook, his protege Bligh (of Mutiny on the Bounty fame), and the events of Captain Cook's final voyage. It is an interesting and rivetting read, and kept me up for a few nights. The conflict between Cook, the practical-minded captain, and the religious Bligh, is at the heart of the book, and the author takes no sides in the argument, allowing the reader to draw his/her own conclusions from the tragedy that ensues. I heartily recommend this novel to all who are interested in well-researched historical fiction.