Changes in Latitude: An Uncommon Anthropology by Joana McIntyre Varawa

by Joana McIntyre Varawa

Andre Deutsch,, (1990.). Near fine in near fine dust jacket.. First UK printing. From the "When life as a harbourmaster in a Hawaiian out island began to seem too civilized, fifty-four-year-old Joana McIntyre uprooted herself to Fiji, in search of adventure and a new life. Much to her surprise, what she found was Male Varawa, a dark, handsome Fijian fisherman less than half her age.... Changes in Latitude follows Joana as she struggles to make real a long-aspired-to personal mythology based upon the integration of nature and a life well-lived....[It] documents the lush life of the torrid zone; an uncommon anthropology of the flora, fauna, rituals, passions, and day-to-day lives of the Fijian people, and of a feisty American woman who adopts it all, and shares it with us." Illustrated with photographs by the author. Notes on the language, glossary, xii, 274 pp.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

See: http://books.google.com/books?id=zSpa...

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book really captures the mind-numbing boredom of living in a village on a tiny island in the developing world with people with whom you can barely communicate and nothing to do all day--day after day. By which I mean the book is mind-numbingly boring.

[Taylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of, if not the only, book actually about an American's experience living in a Fijian village. Very accurate (for 1989, anyway) and relatable, if you're an American living in a Fijian village.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about a haole woman who marries a (much younger) Fijian and her adventures as she comes to love her new home. This book reminds me of the joys of simple living in the tropics.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

whiney and unbelievably frustrating story. wouldn't pick it up.

[John Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joana McIntyre studied anthropology in college, but when she was 54, she decides to travel to Fiji from Hawai'i where she had been living for many years. She had been divorced for many years but had hoped to re-marry some day. While in Fiji, a young girl asks her if she might be interested in finding a husband. Surprisingly, she says yes. She is taken to the young woman's home island of Galoa, where she meets her future husband, Male, who is around 30. She captures their lives well together as they try to make sense of their marriage both personally and culturally. Unlike traditional cultural immersion that anthropologists do in their fieldwork, she gets a full sense of traditional Fijian culture. She can be both very critical but also open to accepting their way of doing things. I found it to be a fascinating and unique book.

[Becky S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written, facinating, first person account of cultures clashing and coming together. I read it when it first came out based on a review and interview w/ the author and her husband, and still recommend it to people. I'd love a follow up....where are they now?

[Tammy Jorgenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I know what its like to live on an island in Fiji. The REAL Fiji. Glad I found this book and got to read it. I now must find some yaguna!!