Polynesia
p. 39 · Read in the full issue
An Idyll In
Robert Dean Frisbie's Life in Pukapuka
IN the world of literature, and among that large Section of the human race which, for some reason, is interested always the Pacific Islands, there is speculation concerning the per sonality and character of Robert Dean Frisbie —a writer who settled down sev eral years ago on the island of Puka puka (or Danger Island) in the Northern Cook Group, and who, in this isolated and peaceful Polynesian retreat, has written some notable books, and many magazine articles and stories.
That excusable curiosity may now be satisfied. There has been published a new book by Mr. Frisbie, entitled “Mr.
Moonlight’s Island”; and, while it is a delightful description of Islands condi tions and Polynesian culture, written in Mr. Frisbie’s charming style, it also is a fairly exact description of Mr. Fris bie’s own life. The trader, “Mr. Moon light”, apparently is Mr. Frisbie, and one suspects that the numerous charac ters which enter into the story of “Mr.
Moonlight”, are, in fact, living people who share Mr. Frisbie’s own little world.
The book is an unusual, but really fascinating mixture of Islands love story, Polynesian folk-lore, philosophical meditation (in which this mad old world is thoroughly and bitingly renounced) and startling description of Pukapuka amorality. The Polynesian cycle of existence —irresponsible childhood, hot blooded promiscuity, iron-bound wed
lock, joyous parenthood, mellow old age—is seen in a new focus.
Writing to the editor of the “P.1.M.”, from Pukapuka, on March 16, 1940, Mr.
Frisbie says that “Mr. Moonlight’s Island” is the first of a trilogy. It will be followed by “The Saga of William the Heathen” and “The Pagan Under world”.
In this first book, we have the love story of three comely Polynesian maidens—Miss Red-Jones, Miss Tern, and the incomparable Miss Tears. The book, written in 1938, is dedicated to Miss Tears, and Mr. Frisbie says, in his note, that she died on Pukapuka on January 14, 1940.
Our copy was published in New York; but it is just announced that an Eng lish edition has been published by Her nemanns, of London.