A HAWAIIAN READER

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 9, 1959

This anthology contains 37 selections from the works of 30 literary or historical figures who have written about our 50th state and is ""arranged in chronological order by date or incident or setting, starting with the discovery of the islands of Captain Cook"". Many of the early selections are portions of journals made by seamen and missionaries; the later selections are more outstanding for their literary merit, while maintaining the standard of authenticity. Among the latter are: a magnificent description of the great volcano of Kilauea by Mark Twain, a skillfully elaborated Oriental myth by R.L. Stevenson, two narratives by Genevieve Taggard (drawn from her 18 years of experience on the islands), a delightfully eerie short story by W. Somerset Maugham, a World War II vignette by James Jones, and a 1958 account of Molakai, home of the lepers since 1865, by Kathryn Hulme, author of The Nun's Story. The two editors (University of Hawaii professors) have placed at the end of their collection 5 translated selections from ancient Hawaiian lore as a fitting climax to an anthology that is varied, exciting, and educational throughout.

Pub Date: Nov. 9, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Appleton-Century-Crofts

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1959

Categories: NONFICTION