The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 17

In Short

This volume pairs a sobering historical account of Samoa’s "eight years of trouble" with a trio of evocative tales set in the South Seas. The historical work documents the power struggles between native factions and foreign colonial interests, while the fiction explores the moral weight of greed and the uncanny nature of island life. By balancing rigorous, firsthand observation of political collapse with the imaginative reach of Pacific folklore, the collection endures as a vital, sharp-eyed record of a world caught in the grip of rapid, often tragic, transformation.

The Story

The volume opens with a detailed chronicle of Samoa during the late nineteenth century. The narrative traces the rise and fall of various leaders, from the beleaguered King Laupepa to the German-backed rival Mataafa, all while highlighting the predatory influence of foreign powers, particularly the German trading firm known as the "firm of Misi Ueba." It describes a landscape where imperial interests, naval posturing, and local customs constantly grind against one another, eventually culminating in a devastating hurricane and the eventual, disappointing stagnation of the island's government under later international oversight. The author writes not merely as a bystander, but as a witness to the profound human costs of this "decivilisation."

Following this, the collection shifts to The Beach of Falesa, which tells the story of Wiltshire, a trader who marries a local woman named Uma. Their union is quickly jeopardized by a sinister conspiracy led by a fellow white trader named Case. Case uses local superstitions—specifically the fear of "devil-work"—to manipulate and isolate the couple. After Wiltshire discovers that Case is faking supernatural phenomena to maintain his commercial monopoly, a violent confrontation ensues in the bush. Wiltshire, though severely wounded, ultimately kills his antagonist, liberating Uma and himself from the cycle of exploitation and fear.

The volume concludes with two fantastical stories. In The Bottle Imp, a man named Keawe purchases a magical bottle that grants any wish but carries a terrible price: the owner must sell it for less than they paid, or face eternal damnation. When Keawe develops a terminal illness, he must navigate the terrifying risks of re-possessing the bottle to save his own life and ensure a future with his love, Kokua. In The Isle of Voices, a man named Keola is ensnared by his warlock father-in-law, Kalamake, who uses dark magic to transport them to a mysterious, hidden island. There, they encounter the "eaters of men" and must navigate a treacherous escape. Keola eventually returns home, but the lingering presence of his father-in-law’s dark power remains a source of unease, eventually leading the couple to seek counsel from a missionary to sever their connection to the warlock’s ill-gotten wealth.

How It Unfolds

The elements of discord The historical account begins by detailing the arrival of foreign traders and the subsequent erosion of native autonomy. It establishes how commercial interests, particularly the German firm, effectively weaponized local administrative structures against the Samoan population.

The battle for influence The narrative tracks the shifting alliances between consuls and local chiefs, highlighting the disastrous, often petty, maneuvering of European officials. These chapters focus on how aggressive diplomacy and naval intimidation created a volatile atmosphere of perpetual crisis.

The marriage in Falesa In the first work of fiction, a trader enters a marriage that is immediately complicated by the social isolation and strange taboos of the local community. The tension mounts as the protagonist realizes that his neighbors' fears are being deliberately exploited by a rival.

The confrontation in the bush Wiltshire pursues his tormentor into the dark, rain-swept woods, setting the stage for a brutal struggle for survival. Through a series of tense, visceral encounters, the deception is unmasked, and the protagonist must secure his freedom through violence.

The price of desire The final stories turn to the supernatural, presenting moral fables where characters are tested by their own greed and desperation. Each protagonist faces a high-stakes bargain, forcing them to confront the spiritual consequences of their choices while navigating worlds that blend the mundane with the uncanny.

The People

Wiltshire acts as the pragmatic, often cynical, protagonist of The Beach of Falesa. While he initially views his marriage to Uma through the lens of colonial detachment, his growing love for her pushes him to abandon his prejudices and confront the corruption surrounding him. Uma, his partner, is portrayed with depth and intelligence; she possesses a sharp understanding of the social dynamics that have ostracized her, and she serves as the moral anchor of the story.

Keawe and Kokua, from The Bottle Imp, embody the central struggle between individual desire and the fear of moral ruin. Keawe is defined by his willingness to risk his soul for both material comfort and his love, while Kokua demonstrates resilience in the face of the shifting, often lethal, conditions of their bargain.

In the historical section, the figure of Theodor Weber looms large as the embodiment of colonial ambition. He is a man of "artful and commanding character" whose reach into Samoan affairs is absolute. Conversely, the various consuls—such as the "just" Captain Zembsch and the aggressive, cunning Becker—illustrate the variety of motives that drove foreign intervention, from genuine attempts at humanitarianism to the cold pursuit of geopolitical dominance.

In Its Own Voice

"It was he who did most damage to rival traders; it was he who most harried the Samoans; and yet I never met any one, white or native, who did not respect his memory."

The author describes the formidable and complex legacy left behind by the German trader Theodor Weber.

"He was an alien, he was supported by the guns of alien warships, and the very ground of his administration was the soil of a native island, which he was potentially helping to alienate."

The text captures the profound dissonance and fundamental injustice inherent in the colonial administration of Samoa.

"I was ashamed to be so much moved about a native, ashamed of the marriage too, and the certificate she had treasured in her kilt; and I turned aside and made believe to rummage among my cases."

Wiltshire experiences a moment of internal conflict as he grapples with his own lingering prejudices and the sudden, overwhelming reality of his affection for Uma.

What It's Really About

At its core, this collection investigates the intersection of personal integrity and systemic corruption. Whether through the lens of historical analysis or allegorical fiction, the text consistently asks what remains of a person’s soul when they are forced to participate in—or fight against—a world defined by rapacity. The historical entries raise questions about the legitimacy of authority and the fragility of sovereignty in the face of industrial-scale greed. The fiction, meanwhile, serves as a psychological counterpart, suggesting that the "demons" we fear are often just projections of our own greed or the cruelty of those who manipulate our beliefs for profit. It is a meditation on the cost of power.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate prose that is simultaneously journalistic and atmospheric will find much to admire here. The historical sections provide a rare, intimate view of a colonial flashpoint, rendered with the keen eye of a novelist who deeply admired the Samoan people and felt keenly the loss of their independence. You will feel the humidity of the tropical air and the mounting anxiety of the islanders as their future is gambled away in offices in Apia.

However, the reader should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes that permeate the historical narrative, as well as the occasionally dense, period-specific vocabulary. The historical sections are detailed and can be demanding, requiring a willingness to track the names of various consuls, ships, and treaties. Yet, for those interested in the history of the South Seas or the intersection of literature and politics, these pages offer a rare, deeply felt testimony. The fiction, particularly The Bottle Imp, remains remarkably gripping, blending the suspense of a thriller with the dark, allegorical weight of a morality play. What stays with you is the author's unwavering attempt to balance a cold, hard look at political reality with a profound, humanizing compassion for the individuals trapped within that machine.