The Call of the South 1908

"The Call of the South" by Louis Becke is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds in the captivating backdrop of the South Pacific, primarily focusing on characters involved in the pearling trade. At the center of the story is Paul Fremont, a seasoned diver struggling with a fever while navigating the intricacies of relationships and the challenges of their perilous profession. The opening of the book introduces the reader to Paul, who is recuperating from a bout of illness aboard his vessel. As he recovers, he engages in conversation with the narrator, sharing tales from his past experiences, particularly a harrowing encounter with hostile natives during a diving expedition in New Ireland. This section hints at a deeper exploration of themes such as survival, camaraderie, and the tension between European settlers and indigenous populations in the Pacific Islands. The narrative sets a tone of adventure infused with cultural insights, drawing readers into the captivating world of late 19th-century maritime life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Lewis Becke was at the turn of the nineteenth century, the most prolific, significant, and internationally renowned Australian-born writer of the South Pacific region. Having lived and worked among Pacific Islands and Islanders as a trader, ship's supercargo, and villager for some two decades, learning languages and observing natural and cultural life, Becke was prompted by J F Archibald of The Bulletin to write down his experiences, eventually becoming a popular and respected author of short stories, novellas, novels, as well as historic and ethnographic works.