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A Pattern of Islands

A Pattern of Islands

Author(s): Arthur Grimble

Location(s): Kiribati

Genre(s): Biography

Era(s): Early 20th century

Location

Content

A Pattern of Islands is the funny, charming and self-deprecating adventure story of a young man in the Pacific. Living for thirty years in the Gilbert and Ellis Islands, Grimble was ultimately initiated but not before he was severely tested, as when he was used as human bait for a giant octopus. Beyond the hilarious and frightening adventure stories, A Pattern of Islands is also a true testament to the life of these Pacific islanders. Grimble collected stories from the last generation who could remember the full glory of the old pagan ways. This is anthropology with its hair down. Like discovering a treasure chest of fables, which were once true, it is full of stories of magic, dances and legends, rituals, spells and a way of life that have now disappeared from this world except within the covers of this book.

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Lead Review

“A sympathetic and sensitive observer of the Gilbertese; his understanding of their culture was all the deeper because he was primarily interested in them as people.” Man

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