Rídan the Devil, and Other Stories / 1899

Name: Rídan the Devil, and Other Stories / 1899
Author: Louis Becke

A linked collection of short tales and memories set across South Pacific islands and ships, blending nautical adventure, contact between outsiders and island communities, plantation life, penal servitude and mutiny, shipwrecks, coastal fishing and occasional supernatural or folkloric elements. Stories vary in form from first-person reminiscence to dramatic sketches, emphasizing harsh environments, practical seamanship, cultural misunderstandings, and moral ambiguity, while evoking tropical landscapes and the rhythms of life at sea and ashore.

By Louis Becke

Open in WeRead Explore More Books Like This

Short Stories

About This Book

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.