Sestrina: A romance of the South Seas

"Sestrina: A Romance of the South Seas" by A. (Arnold) Safroni-Middleton is an early 20th-century novel about Royal Clensy, a young Englishman, and his enthrallment with Sestrina, the striking daughter of Haiti's President. Amidst the vivid backdrop of the South Seas during a turbulent time, the story explores the themes of romance, adventure, and tension between social class and cultural divides. Early in the plot, Royal Clensy is found considering his life on the Marquesan Islands, where he reflects deeply on his life, and the stark contrasts between his existence and the serene simplicity of the island landscape. Clensy's contemplation comes to an end when he encounters a peculiar trio of figures, and each character embodies a unique aspect of the adventures to come. Characters range from a charismatic, reckless sailor named Beer de Beer Adams, and the rowdy Samuel Bartholomew Biglow. Clensy travels to Haiti, where he first sets eyes on Sestrina at a grand presidential ball. Their immediate connection ignites a romantic journey, yet their entangled fates are threatened by cultural intrigue and the shadowy world of voodoo practices.