The Ebbing Of The Tide / South Sea Stories - 1896

Name: The Ebbing Of The Tide / South Sea Stories - 1896
Author: Louis Becke

A collection of linked short tales set among islands and reefs in the South Pacific, weaving local legend, seafaring adventure, and the intimate routines of trading settlements. The stories present vivid scenes of island life—pool legends and mask rituals, schooner voyages and bar-room bargains, cross-cultural romances and the awkward fate of mixed-heritage characters—often narrated in a straightforward, episodic manner. Recurring themes include contact and misunderstanding between outsiders and local communities, memory and longing for homeland, and the sea as both livelihood and hazard, with tones shifting between melancholy, humor, and terse adventure.

By Louis Becke

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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.