In the Wrong Paradise, and Other Stories

"In the Wrong Paradise and Other Stories" by Andrew Lang is a compilation of short stories where the initial story plunges into the life of Rev. Thomas Gowles, a missionary facing puzzling and dangerous circumstances on a remote Pacific island. The story looks at cultural conflicts and makes fun of colonial views through Gowles' experiences as he tries to understand the islanders' strange traditions and beliefs. Readers learn about Gowles' strong faith and how he ended up in an unfamiliar place after a shipwreck. After waking up, he sees odd behavior, like human sacrifice, and wants to keep his mission alive, even though he is scared of being seen as a god. The story shows Gowles' problems and interactions with the tough realities of the local customs and his failures, which sets the stage for a mix of satire and adventure in Lang's storytelling.