Book Review By Duncan L.

Dieterly

Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener

The author provides a collection of nineteen short stories about the life of the US Navy men stationed in the south pacific islands during WWII. The stories generated a play and movie based on parts of them. Michener conveys the wild beauty of the ocean and islands but more of the isolation and the loneness inherent in long assignments waiting and preparing to launch an attack on the despicable Japanese. While interesting and wellcrafted they clearly show how navy life evolved from just hanging on after the devastation of Pearl Harbor to building strength and resources then aggressively attacking the enemy on land and sea in the American WWII South Pacific campaign. Several of the stories that focus on an invasion of an island are riveting and extremely intense. The earlier ones are more about unusual characters who learn how to survive with the natives, military narrow rules and their stultifying situation. There are some stories about the planters and the mores of the period, including prejudice against nonwhites and the problems of lonely men stationed away from their home and loved ones. It is a mixture of laughter and tears, concerning the war years of that massive WWII campaign. A selection of moving tales, that brings to vivid life a turbulent time of war sixty-five years ago. A must read. Michener. James A. Tales of the South Pacific, The Franklin Library: Pennsylvania, 1975. 413 pages. Rating: 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Type: Short Stories October 16, 2011