‘In The South Seas’ is a collection of stories from the Pacific Islands curated by Stevenson as he cruised through the islands. The collection is among some of the most important bodies of literature that focus on the Pacific area in the 19th century. The collection acts as a time capsule of tradition and culture that has since been lost to time and offers an incredibly fascinating and valuable insight in to a part of human history rarely given its due attention. The collection covers the various tribal cultures, languages, traditions and societies in the islands making it an important anthropological piece of work. Stevenson brings the vast ocean expanses, the stunning nature and the beauty of Polynesian culture to life in these pages. It is a compelling and deeply fascinating read perfect for anyone who loves David Attenborough’s show ‘Our Planet’.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), was an author with a formidable legacy. You will be hard pressed to find anyone alive today who has not come across his work in one form or another. The brilliant mind behind ‘Treasure Island’ and the ‘Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, has had a profound impact on every aspect of entertainment to this day with his brilliant creations. Despite dealing with ill health all his life he was a prolific traveller, spending his later years in Samoa where he fought vigorously for the rights of the natives, earning their love and respect. R.L Stevenson was a character in his own right, passionate and adventurous, his spirit shines through in his work, from his novels to his travel guides. You simply owe it to yourself to experience his creations, he was a true titan of literature on whose shoulders we all stand.