South Sea Yarns

"South Sea Yarns" by Basil Thomson is a window into the world of the South Pacific Islands, painted with words in the late 1800s. The book captures the essence of island life, from their unique traditions and ways of justice to the mixing of cultures between islanders and visitors from other countries. The reader is invited to sit among Fijian elders as they share stories in their meeting place, the "bure", recalling times gone by, foreign encounters, and all the changes those encounters bring. Through captivating storytelling, the feelings of admiration and uncertainty towards outsiders fill the air, showing the clash between old customs and new ways, rich with details that bring the reader right into the heart of these islands.