Set in the South Pacific, this autobiographical account chronicles Robert Dean Frisbie's journey from America to Danger Island, where he established a trading station. The narrative highlights his romance with a Polynesian woman named Desire, exploring their life together on the island. Frisbie's experiences provide a vivid glimpse into the culture and beauty of Pukapuka, as well as the challenges and joys of island life.
Puka-Puka is a triangular coral reef, some seven miles in circumference with three islands. It frames a lagoon so clear that one can see the coral forests some ten fathoms below. It is the most remote, and probably the most beautiful, of all the Cook Islands.
The narrative captures the essence of native Tahitian life through the author's personal experiences over twelve years in the South Seas. It offers vivid sketches and anecdotes that evoke the spirit of a Tahitian village during the early 1920s, reflecting on the beauty and simplicity of the idyllic surroundings that inspired Paul Gauguin's artwork. Frisbie's writing serves as a nostalgic homage to the culture and lifestyle of the region, blending memory with the rich tapestry of life in Tahiti.