Âmona; The Child; And The Beast; And Others / From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902

Name: Âmona; The Child; And The Beast; And Others / From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902
Author: Louis Becke

A South Sea tale centers on a brutal planter whose drunken cruelty contrasts with the tenderness shown by a native cook toward the planter’s ailing wife and beloved child. An overseer observes household tensions and shares with a doctor and the cook a secret about the family, while episodes trace the wife’s wasting illness, the servant’s patient devotion, and the community’s response to infidelity and vice. The narrative emphasizes small acts of care, the moral gulf between kindness and barbarity, and how loyalty, grief, and faith shape quiet reckonings with mortality and conscience.

By Louis Becke

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About the Author

Louis Becke

Louis Becke was an Australian author known for his vivid storytelling and depictions of life in the South Seas. His works often draw on his own experiences as a sailor and trader in the Pacific Islands, blending adventure with rich cultural observations. Becke's notable titles include "Chinkie's Flat" and "Martin of Nitendi," which showcase his ability to create engaging narratives filled with local color and character. His writing reflects the complexities of colonial life and the natural beauty of the regions he explored, contributing significantly to the literary heritage of Australian literature.