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Cuentos de los Mares del Sur
Los relatos de este volumen se caracterizan por una técnica casi cinematográfica y por un estlo ágil y directo. Indígenas, aventureros, marinos, historias violentas en tierras desconocidas; una galería de tipos que, sin duda, impresionarán al Borges de la "Historia Universal de la Infamia
Tres son los cuentos que integran el volumen:
"El diablillo de la botella", donde Keave compra a bajo precio una botella que concede deseos a su propietario. Sin embargo no se debe abusar de ella puesto que en su interior habita un diablillo. La única condición que pone es que sea vendida a un precio más bajo del que se compró. Durante el relato varios propietarios se beneficiarán de sus poderes pero también el que muera poseyéndola perderá su alma.
"La isla de las Voces" es la historia de Keola un joven hawaiano casado con Lehua hija de un prestigioso hechicero. Celoso por la magia negra de su suegro el chico se ofrece para ayudarle con el fin de conocer el origen de sus poderes. Por diversos motivos queda atrapado en la isla de las Voces y sólo gracias a la intervención de su esposa podrá volver a la realidad aunque no tan rico ni poderoso como pensaba.
"La costa de Falesá", en el cuál la empresa del señor Wiltshire le traslada a Falesá. Lleva años comerciando en las islas del Pacífico y conoce bien a sus gentes. Sin embargo será un misionero quien le dará a conocer el motivo por el cual los habitantes de esa isla no le compran en su negocio. Por fin decide acabar con el maleficio y se deshace de Case un blanco que tiene atemorizados y sometidos a los indígenas.
Tres son los cuentos que integran el volumen:
"El diablillo de la botella", donde Keave compra a bajo precio una botella que concede deseos a su propietario. Sin embargo no se debe abusar de ella puesto que en su interior habita un diablillo. La única condición que pone es que sea vendida a un precio más bajo del que se compró. Durante el relato varios propietarios se beneficiarán de sus poderes pero también el que muera poseyéndola perderá su alma.
"La isla de las Voces" es la historia de Keola un joven hawaiano casado con Lehua hija de un prestigioso hechicero. Celoso por la magia negra de su suegro el chico se ofrece para ayudarle con el fin de conocer el origen de sus poderes. Por diversos motivos queda atrapado en la isla de las Voces y sólo gracias a la intervención de su esposa podrá volver a la realidad aunque no tan rico ni poderoso como pensaba.
"La costa de Falesá", en el cuál la empresa del señor Wiltshire le traslada a Falesá. Lleva años comerciando en las islas del Pacífico y conoce bien a sus gentes. Sin embargo será un misionero quien le dará a conocer el motivo por el cual los habitantes de esa isla no le compran en su negocio. Por fin decide acabar con el maleficio y se deshace de Case un blanco que tiene atemorizados y sometidos a los indígenas.
180 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1893
18 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Robert Louis Stevenson
6,829 books6,940 followersRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, and a leading representative of English literature. He was greatly admired by many authors, including Jorge Luis Borges, Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling and Vladimir Nabokov.
Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.
Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 22, 2024
A fine, underrated little book of three longish short stories which range from horror to fantasy, all tinged with the exotic atmosphere of the South Seas.
All three tales are enjoyable. In 'The Beach Of Falesa' a white man marries a native of the island he has chosen to live on, but faces the wrath of another white man who lives there. A description of 'The Bottle Imp' wouldn't do it justice as it's that old chestnut of a story of a man being granted wishes; but Stevenson's chosen location and clear prose lift it above other stories of its type. Lastly, we have 'The Isle Of Voices' - an atmospheric tale of a man trapped on an island of cannibals. There's a very memorable scene in this one!
You may spot this slim little volume in a jumble sale. If you like old style horror and fantasy suffused with heavy atmosphere and exotic locations, this is for you.
All three tales are enjoyable. In 'The Beach Of Falesa' a white man marries a native of the island he has chosen to live on, but faces the wrath of another white man who lives there. A description of 'The Bottle Imp' wouldn't do it justice as it's that old chestnut of a story of a man being granted wishes; but Stevenson's chosen location and clear prose lift it above other stories of its type. Lastly, we have 'The Isle Of Voices' - an atmospheric tale of a man trapped on an island of cannibals. There's a very memorable scene in this one!
You may spot this slim little volume in a jumble sale. If you like old style horror and fantasy suffused with heavy atmosphere and exotic locations, this is for you.
April 5, 2020
Los primero dos cuentos (El diablo en la botella y La isla de las voces) me han parecido geniales. Muy linda historia y muy bien llevada.
El último cuento (La costa de Falesá) capaz me costó un poco más seguirla porque me confundían algunos de sus personajes, pero aún así me ha gustado mucho.
Me encanta el estilo de R. L. Stevenson. Seguiré leyendo más escritos de este autor en un futuro.
El último cuento (La costa de Falesá) capaz me costó un poco más seguirla porque me confundían algunos de sus personajes, pero aún así me ha gustado mucho.
Me encanta el estilo de R. L. Stevenson. Seguiré leyendo más escritos de este autor en un futuro.
June 20, 2015
Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the first genuine joys of my reading life. I remember picking up Treasure Island at the age of probably eight or nine, and just being captivated. Up until then, I probably didn't have much awareness that there existed a world outside Cork. And now, at forty, I still occasionally reach for his books, and the old magic still burns.
Island Nights' Entertainments has long been one of my favourites. I adore short stories, and I've always held dreams (fantasies?) of the South Pacific. Wonderfully constructed and rich in imagination, these stories are, most of all, thrilling in their sense of authenticity. Like Melville, Conrad, Jack London and Hemingway, this is writing fueled by living wild and hard.
In 'The Beach at Falesá', John Wiltshire, a British trader, arrives on a remote South Seas island to make his fortune. There are a few other white men on the island, the most charismatic of which is another trader, Case. Case appears friendly, and even arranges for Wiltshire to take a wife, a local beauty named Uma. But then the trouble begins. Uma, it seems, has a taboo attached to her, which keeps the natives away from Wiltshire's shop. All the strings are being pulled by the manipulative Case, who keeps the island's chiefs terrified by talk of devils.
This is a long story that, because of its striking realism, differs from the two fantasies that follow. It explores a number of important themes, including colonialism, religion and the power of love, is wonderfully paced, and turns into rip-roaring adventure as it charges towards its climax.
'The Bottle Imp' is just a brilliant "Monkey's Paw" type story, and one of Stevenson's best known. Keawe, a poor Hawaiian, buys, for fifty dollars, a bottle that'll make all his wishes come true. But there's a catch: if you die while in possession of the bottle, you are cursed to hell. And, in order to get rid of it, you must sell it for a lower price than you originally paid. Keawe uses the bottle to get the house of his dreams, then promptly passes it on. In time, he meets and falls in love with Kokua, but no sooner has he arranged to marry than he discovers himself inflicted with leprosy. Only the bottle can save him, but by this time it has passed through many hands, and the price has fallen to one cent.
Finally, 'The Isle of Voices' finds Keola, a lazy sort living on Molokai with his wife and her father, Kalamake, a strange and volatile man who seems to have an endless wealth and who is the subject of much rumour. When a trading ship approaches, Kalamake, in need of more cash, enlists the help of Keola. It's soon revealed that Kalamake is a wizard, and through a quick spell he and his son-in-law transport their spirits to a strange island, where the seashells can be turned into money.
Keola is amazed, but soon his greed is stirred, and he begins to make demands in exchange for his silence. Kalamake pretends to agree and they set off to fish, but Keola is soon adrift, and ends up marooned on a distant island, a place haunted by ghosts and inhabited for part of the year by a friendly tribe possessed of dark appetites. Probably the weakest of the three stories, it's still great fun, and a thoroughly captivating read.
Stevenson was a truly remarkable storyteller, a real master of plot and pacing, and his influence on 20th century fiction is immense. He lived out his final years in the tropical paradise of Samoa, and died at just forty-four, little over a year after this book had been published. That he managed, in that short life, to pen so many classics is both a wonder and a blessing. These stories are, for me, are not quite on a par with his very best books, but they are terrific examples of the form. It's at least a solid four, but as I've given lesser books than this a five star rating, I'll have to give in to the pull of my heart here.
Island Nights' Entertainments has long been one of my favourites. I adore short stories, and I've always held dreams (fantasies?) of the South Pacific. Wonderfully constructed and rich in imagination, these stories are, most of all, thrilling in their sense of authenticity. Like Melville, Conrad, Jack London and Hemingway, this is writing fueled by living wild and hard.
In 'The Beach at Falesá', John Wiltshire, a British trader, arrives on a remote South Seas island to make his fortune. There are a few other white men on the island, the most charismatic of which is another trader, Case. Case appears friendly, and even arranges for Wiltshire to take a wife, a local beauty named Uma. But then the trouble begins. Uma, it seems, has a taboo attached to her, which keeps the natives away from Wiltshire's shop. All the strings are being pulled by the manipulative Case, who keeps the island's chiefs terrified by talk of devils.
This is a long story that, because of its striking realism, differs from the two fantasies that follow. It explores a number of important themes, including colonialism, religion and the power of love, is wonderfully paced, and turns into rip-roaring adventure as it charges towards its climax.
'The Bottle Imp' is just a brilliant "Monkey's Paw" type story, and one of Stevenson's best known. Keawe, a poor Hawaiian, buys, for fifty dollars, a bottle that'll make all his wishes come true. But there's a catch: if you die while in possession of the bottle, you are cursed to hell. And, in order to get rid of it, you must sell it for a lower price than you originally paid. Keawe uses the bottle to get the house of his dreams, then promptly passes it on. In time, he meets and falls in love with Kokua, but no sooner has he arranged to marry than he discovers himself inflicted with leprosy. Only the bottle can save him, but by this time it has passed through many hands, and the price has fallen to one cent.
Finally, 'The Isle of Voices' finds Keola, a lazy sort living on Molokai with his wife and her father, Kalamake, a strange and volatile man who seems to have an endless wealth and who is the subject of much rumour. When a trading ship approaches, Kalamake, in need of more cash, enlists the help of Keola. It's soon revealed that Kalamake is a wizard, and through a quick spell he and his son-in-law transport their spirits to a strange island, where the seashells can be turned into money.
Keola is amazed, but soon his greed is stirred, and he begins to make demands in exchange for his silence. Kalamake pretends to agree and they set off to fish, but Keola is soon adrift, and ends up marooned on a distant island, a place haunted by ghosts and inhabited for part of the year by a friendly tribe possessed of dark appetites. Probably the weakest of the three stories, it's still great fun, and a thoroughly captivating read.
Stevenson was a truly remarkable storyteller, a real master of plot and pacing, and his influence on 20th century fiction is immense. He lived out his final years in the tropical paradise of Samoa, and died at just forty-four, little over a year after this book had been published. That he managed, in that short life, to pen so many classics is both a wonder and a blessing. These stories are, for me, are not quite on a par with his very best books, but they are terrific examples of the form. It's at least a solid four, but as I've given lesser books than this a five star rating, I'll have to give in to the pull of my heart here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2021
Falesa is good on colonialism, trade, missionaries. Imp raises fun issues of happiness, time, rationality. Isle is the weakest.
June 10, 2015
A collection of a three stories, two of them verging on novellas, from the end of Robert Louis Stevenson's short life--all set in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. The Bottle Imp is much anthologized and deservedly so, it tells a terrifying story of a bottle imp that can grant your wishes but also send you to Hell. The trick is to settle the bottle before you die, the challenge is you have to sell it for less than purchased it for. With perfect information and complete rationality backward induction would make it impossible to sell, but let's just say the story does not rest on complete rationality.
The Beach of Falesa, the longest of the three, is a tantalizing hint of the direction that Stevenson was going when he died, a long novella largely in realistic mode that explores the downsides of colonialism and capitalism, but also shows the power of love and goodness in overcoming them. The pacific islander woman at the center of the story is particularly sympathetically drawn, more so than most women in Stevenson's work.
The third story is more sleight but still of some interest.
The Beach of Falesa, the longest of the three, is a tantalizing hint of the direction that Stevenson was going when he died, a long novella largely in realistic mode that explores the downsides of colonialism and capitalism, but also shows the power of love and goodness in overcoming them. The pacific islander woman at the center of the story is particularly sympathetically drawn, more so than most women in Stevenson's work.
The third story is more sleight but still of some interest.
April 29, 2010
Living in Fiji and reading Island Night's Entertainment was an added treat.
July 29, 2016
Hate to give RLS of all authors only 2 stars. Just not his best work, in my opinion. Not very entertaining. Ach! It pains me to say it.
Want to read
December 30, 2022Looking forward to reading The Beach Of Falesa.
September 15, 2024
A novella, "The Beach of Falesa," along with two short stories, "The Bottle Imp" and "The Isle of Voices," makes up this volume. The novella belongs to a sort of South Seas subgenre, white traders and their marriages to Polynesian women. It's a staple of fiction from the era, and you'll find many more examples in works by Conrad, Jack London, Louis Becke, and, later, James Norman Hall. All involve cultural clashes and usually some realistic depictions of Polynesian culture interacting with Western mores. Stevenson's is especially well done, where a trader, Wiltshire, finds himself cut off from the island's people because of the actions of another trader, Case. Case is exploiting the native peoples and creating a false religious cult. Wiltshire fights it out with Case, while also defending his outcast native wife, Uma.
The two stories are strikingly different from "Falesa." With "Imp," Stevenson combines tales from the Arabian Nights with Faust. On the other hand, "Voices" builds upon the magic and myths of Polynesians themselves. In particular, it tells of a native sorcerer who has found a way, along with many other native magicians, to create Western money out of special leaves and shells. Once again, Stevenson takes up one of his favorite themes, the corruption of the lust over money.
The stories and novella make for quick reading. Well worth it.
The two stories are strikingly different from "Falesa." With "Imp," Stevenson combines tales from the Arabian Nights with Faust. On the other hand, "Voices" builds upon the magic and myths of Polynesians themselves. In particular, it tells of a native sorcerer who has found a way, along with many other native magicians, to create Western money out of special leaves and shells. Once again, Stevenson takes up one of his favorite themes, the corruption of the lust over money.
The stories and novella make for quick reading. Well worth it.
January 27, 2017
En este volumen, Robert Louis Stevenson (famoso por el relato fantástico "El extraño caso del doctor Jekyll y el señor Hyde") escribe tres cuentos referentes al colonialismo de las islas del sur. Estas historias hablan de saqueo, plagas, leyendas, brujos y canibalismo; y en ellas conviven isleños, marinos, misioneros y comerciantes con la maestría del estilo aventurero que le caracteriza. Cabe señalar que este libro puede encontrarse con los títulos alternativos de "Cuentos de las noches en las islas" y "El diablo de la botella y otros relatos". Veamos, cada cuento por separado:
La playa de Falesá:
Este es el relato más extenso. Consta de cinco capítulos largos para un total de setenta y cinco páginas. Su trama es muy diversa (quizás un poco complicada) con gran abundancia de personajes. Trata sobre un comerciante ávido de riquezas que al llegar a la isla ficticia de Falesá (Posiblemente basada en una de las islas de Samoa) se encuentra con grandes dificultades; el comercio esta dominado por un desleal y tramposo rufián que además de sobornar a jueces y pastores, elimina a sus enemigos y atemoriza al pueblo con supersticiones. Si bien, el protagonista tampoco es un santo y su mentalidad está envenenada de colonialismo (el lector puede encontrar aberrantes algunas de sus afirmaciones), las circunstancias que le obligan a enfrentar al cacique, le harán entender de manera más atinada el punto de vista de los nativos.
El cuento está narrado en primera persona con un estilo muy descriptivo, tan exuberante como las propias selvas y playas que va describiendo. Como todo relato de aventuras, está plagado de acción, en especial en la última parte. Encontraremos algunos elementos de historia folletinesca, pero también una critica social bastante interesante. En efecto, podríamos ubicarlo dentro del género de realismo social, pues resulta un texto históricamente ilustrativo. En lo literario, tal vez no sea lo mejor que haya escrito el autor, ya que su trama se diversifica demasiado. Quizás hubiera funcionado mucho mejor como novela corta. Aún así me pareció muy interesante.
El diablo de la botella:
Stevenson tenía una especial fascinación por "Las mil y una noches" (En efecto, al inicio de su carrera escribiría una serie de relatos llamados "Las nuevas noches árabes" inspirado en el formato de la gran obra de la literatura oriental). En este segundo cuento parece recrear la fábula de "Aladino y la lámpara maravillosa", aunque el contexto y la ambientación son diferentes, adaptándose a la época en que fue escrito. La historia ambientada en las islas Hawái trata sobre un espíritu demoníaco que, desde el interior de una botella concede favores y riquezas a cambio de la perdición del alma. En sus treinta y cuatro páginas no sólo advierte de las desgracias que conlleva la riqueza fácil, sino que habla sobre lo indignos que nos sentimos los seres humanos ante la felicidad y el bienestar material. Tal vez la botella sea un símbolo del espíritu materialista que los europeos trajeron a las islas (llama la atención que sea de color blanco). Esta fábula apela a los valores del amor, la lealtad y el sacrificio; sin caer en el sermón y sin perder el ánimo de crítica social.
El género fantástico -terrenos por donde el autor se mueve con gran destreza- reaparece con la brillantez de relatos más célebres como "Doctor Jekyll y el Señor Hyde". El estilo es mucho más conciso y asequible, produciendo una lectura veloz y entretenida. Mientras avanza el cuento la trama se vuelve trepidante y el desenlace es cercano a ese final feliz tan escaso en la buena literatura. Esta consecución perfecta deja un sentimiento de gran satisfacción en el lector y produce deseos de leer el tercer y último relato.
La isla de las voces:
Este relato fue seleccionado por Jorge Luis Borges para su serie "La biblioteca de Babel" y creo que la distinción se debe a la naturaleza enigmática, fantástica y harto interesante de su trama. En tan solo veinticuatro páginas Stevenson desarrolla una increíble historia sobre un hechicero que posee poderes sobrenaturales. La inspiración de este relato podría proceder de las leyendas hawaianas con sus increibles prodigios y sus demonios selváticos. Sin embargo, la gran imaginación del autor va más allá de la tradición oral, prefigurando a autores como H.G. Wells y al mismo Kafka.
Lo más interesante de "La isla de las voces" es que Stevenson supera la moralina y el maniqueísmo tan común de la literatura de aventuras de su tiempo; aquí no podremos saber con exactitud quien es el "bueno" y quien es el "malo" y tampoco está claro cuál es el mensaje, dejando paso a las diferentes interpretaciones. Por si fuera poco, el final es muy crítico y hasta sarcástico, agregando una cualidad extra al lucimiento literario. Aquí no hay margen de duda, este es un cuento excelente.
Conclusión:
Este libro representa una lectura muy entretenida, cuya temática oscila entre el colonialismo y las leyendas de las islas del pacifico sur. El primer cuento ofrece mayor crítica social y por tanto resulta históricamente más interesante, pero indudablemente los dos últimos cuentan una mayor maestría literaria. Es posible que "Cuentos de los mares del sur" deba ser considerada una de las obras mayores de Robert Louis Stevenson.
La playa de Falesá:
Este es el relato más extenso. Consta de cinco capítulos largos para un total de setenta y cinco páginas. Su trama es muy diversa (quizás un poco complicada) con gran abundancia de personajes. Trata sobre un comerciante ávido de riquezas que al llegar a la isla ficticia de Falesá (Posiblemente basada en una de las islas de Samoa) se encuentra con grandes dificultades; el comercio esta dominado por un desleal y tramposo rufián que además de sobornar a jueces y pastores, elimina a sus enemigos y atemoriza al pueblo con supersticiones. Si bien, el protagonista tampoco es un santo y su mentalidad está envenenada de colonialismo (el lector puede encontrar aberrantes algunas de sus afirmaciones), las circunstancias que le obligan a enfrentar al cacique, le harán entender de manera más atinada el punto de vista de los nativos.
El cuento está narrado en primera persona con un estilo muy descriptivo, tan exuberante como las propias selvas y playas que va describiendo. Como todo relato de aventuras, está plagado de acción, en especial en la última parte. Encontraremos algunos elementos de historia folletinesca, pero también una critica social bastante interesante. En efecto, podríamos ubicarlo dentro del género de realismo social, pues resulta un texto históricamente ilustrativo. En lo literario, tal vez no sea lo mejor que haya escrito el autor, ya que su trama se diversifica demasiado. Quizás hubiera funcionado mucho mejor como novela corta. Aún así me pareció muy interesante.
El diablo de la botella:
Stevenson tenía una especial fascinación por "Las mil y una noches" (En efecto, al inicio de su carrera escribiría una serie de relatos llamados "Las nuevas noches árabes" inspirado en el formato de la gran obra de la literatura oriental). En este segundo cuento parece recrear la fábula de "Aladino y la lámpara maravillosa", aunque el contexto y la ambientación son diferentes, adaptándose a la época en que fue escrito. La historia ambientada en las islas Hawái trata sobre un espíritu demoníaco que, desde el interior de una botella concede favores y riquezas a cambio de la perdición del alma. En sus treinta y cuatro páginas no sólo advierte de las desgracias que conlleva la riqueza fácil, sino que habla sobre lo indignos que nos sentimos los seres humanos ante la felicidad y el bienestar material. Tal vez la botella sea un símbolo del espíritu materialista que los europeos trajeron a las islas (llama la atención que sea de color blanco). Esta fábula apela a los valores del amor, la lealtad y el sacrificio; sin caer en el sermón y sin perder el ánimo de crítica social.
El género fantástico -terrenos por donde el autor se mueve con gran destreza- reaparece con la brillantez de relatos más célebres como "Doctor Jekyll y el Señor Hyde". El estilo es mucho más conciso y asequible, produciendo una lectura veloz y entretenida. Mientras avanza el cuento la trama se vuelve trepidante y el desenlace es cercano a ese final feliz tan escaso en la buena literatura. Esta consecución perfecta deja un sentimiento de gran satisfacción en el lector y produce deseos de leer el tercer y último relato.
La isla de las voces:
Este relato fue seleccionado por Jorge Luis Borges para su serie "La biblioteca de Babel" y creo que la distinción se debe a la naturaleza enigmática, fantástica y harto interesante de su trama. En tan solo veinticuatro páginas Stevenson desarrolla una increíble historia sobre un hechicero que posee poderes sobrenaturales. La inspiración de este relato podría proceder de las leyendas hawaianas con sus increibles prodigios y sus demonios selváticos. Sin embargo, la gran imaginación del autor va más allá de la tradición oral, prefigurando a autores como H.G. Wells y al mismo Kafka.
Lo más interesante de "La isla de las voces" es que Stevenson supera la moralina y el maniqueísmo tan común de la literatura de aventuras de su tiempo; aquí no podremos saber con exactitud quien es el "bueno" y quien es el "malo" y tampoco está claro cuál es el mensaje, dejando paso a las diferentes interpretaciones. Por si fuera poco, el final es muy crítico y hasta sarcástico, agregando una cualidad extra al lucimiento literario. Aquí no hay margen de duda, este es un cuento excelente.
Conclusión:
Este libro representa una lectura muy entretenida, cuya temática oscila entre el colonialismo y las leyendas de las islas del pacifico sur. El primer cuento ofrece mayor crítica social y por tanto resulta históricamente más interesante, pero indudablemente los dos últimos cuentan una mayor maestría literaria. Es posible que "Cuentos de los mares del sur" deba ser considerada una de las obras mayores de Robert Louis Stevenson.
September 22, 2024
Tres cuentos interesantes de historias sucedidas en la Oceanía de la época colonial. El más "clásico" el del demonio dentro de la botella que concede tus deseos, mientras que los otros dos no me sonaban, aunque a pesar de esto han sido suficientemente interesantes como para dejarme más que satisfecho.
Recomendable.
Recomendable.
August 24, 2025
cuentos medio entretenidos y curiosos, me encantan los nombres y palabras que tienen en Hawaii, los 3 cuentos seguían la trama de estar relacionados a demonios así que eso estuvo medio raro ¿?? pero me llama mucho la atención pensar que ese tipo de historias son las que cuentan en esas islas, me encantaría escuchar muchas más
September 20, 2024
"The Beach of Falesá" (4) - "The Bottle Imp" (2) - "The Isle of Voices" (2)
February 4, 2025
Amazing to me that the author found many ways to repackage his short stories.
August 22, 2025
Gustáronme os dous primeiros contos, sobre todo o primeiro, pero o último fíxoseme pesado e costoume con tantas personaxes. Igual tampouco era o momento de que eu o lera?? Non sei
November 7, 2016
La scelta fatta dai traduttori italiani della piccola raccolta di racconti di Stevenson, per quanto condivisibile per ragioni di brevità, sacrifica una parte significativa del titolo: quello che in origine suonava come ‘I divertimenti – o meglio ancora ‘gli intrattenimenti’ – delle notti sull’isola’ perde la parola più lunga e identifica il contenuto con la sua parte notturna. Questo non pregiudica, va detto, il godimento delle tre storie, la prima delle quali, quasi un piccolo romanzo, occupa più della metà delle pagine, ma rende meno immediato il motivo principale dell’ispirazione, è cioè il puro gusto dell’affabulazione, il fascino della parola raccontata, accresciuto dalla situazione notturna in senso lato che accomuna le tre storie.
Ed è anche vero che rispetto alla connotazione fortemente ombrosa e goticheggiante dei suoi romanzi più noti, come ‘L’isola del tesoro’, ‘Lo strano caso del dottor Jekyll e del signor Hyde’ o ancora ‘Rapito’ o ‘Il signore di Ballantrae’, questi tre racconti riprendono il filone dell’esotico e del fiabesco che aveva sempre fatto parte dell’immaginario stevensoniano e che però, nei suoi ultimi anni di vita, dopo che ragioni editoriali e personali insieme, lo avevano spinto a trasferirsi stabilmente nelle isole di Samoa.
Se il mare ha quasi sempre avuto una parte importante nella vita e nelle opere dell’autore, in queste tre novelle e nell’ultima parte della sua produzione trova un ruolo da protagonista. In effetti le isole polinesiane sono poco più che dei puntini nella immensa vastità dell’oceano, che solo la vena affabulatoria del narratore riesce a eguagliare. Ed è proprio questa inesauribile sorgente di storie che sgorgava dalla mente di Stevenson, rinnovata e arricchita dalla forza dei paesaggi nuovi e insieme primordiali, che trova nelle ‘Notti sull’isola' libero sfogo al suo corso, soprattutto grazie all’abile costruzione dell’ambientazione nei mari del Sud e trascina quasi di peso il lettore dentro un quadro di Paul Gauguin o di Henry Rousseau, dai colori squillanti e dai tratti marcati, insieme antichi e incontaminati.
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Ed è anche vero che rispetto alla connotazione fortemente ombrosa e goticheggiante dei suoi romanzi più noti, come ‘L’isola del tesoro’, ‘Lo strano caso del dottor Jekyll e del signor Hyde’ o ancora ‘Rapito’ o ‘Il signore di Ballantrae’, questi tre racconti riprendono il filone dell’esotico e del fiabesco che aveva sempre fatto parte dell’immaginario stevensoniano e che però, nei suoi ultimi anni di vita, dopo che ragioni editoriali e personali insieme, lo avevano spinto a trasferirsi stabilmente nelle isole di Samoa.
Se il mare ha quasi sempre avuto una parte importante nella vita e nelle opere dell’autore, in queste tre novelle e nell’ultima parte della sua produzione trova un ruolo da protagonista. In effetti le isole polinesiane sono poco più che dei puntini nella immensa vastità dell’oceano, che solo la vena affabulatoria del narratore riesce a eguagliare. Ed è proprio questa inesauribile sorgente di storie che sgorgava dalla mente di Stevenson, rinnovata e arricchita dalla forza dei paesaggi nuovi e insieme primordiali, che trova nelle ‘Notti sull’isola' libero sfogo al suo corso, soprattutto grazie all’abile costruzione dell’ambientazione nei mari del Sud e trascina quasi di peso il lettore dentro un quadro di Paul Gauguin o di Henry Rousseau, dai colori squillanti e dai tratti marcati, insieme antichi e incontaminati.
Continua su:
http://www.lastambergadeilettori.com/...
August 21, 2016
"It was all bare in the strong sun; there was no sign of man, only the beach was trodden, and all about him as he went, the voices talked and whispered, and the little fires sprang up and burned down. All tongues of the earth were spoken there; the French, the Dutch, the Russian, the Tamil, the Chinese. Whatever land knew sorcery, there were some of its people whispering in Keola’s ear. That beach was thick as a cried fair, yet no man seen; and as he walked he saw the shells vanish before him, and no man to pick them up. I think the devil would have been afraid to be alone in such a company; but Keola was past fear and courted death. When the fires sprang up, he charged for them like a bull. Bodiless voices called to and fro; unseen hands poured sand upon the flames; and they were gone from the beach before he reached them.
'It is plain Kalamake is not here,' he thought, 'or I must have been killed long since.'
With that he sat him down in the margin of the wood, for he was tired, and put his chin upon his hands. The business before his eyes continued: the beach babbled with voices, and the fires sprang up and sank, and the shells vanished and were renewed again even while he looked.
'It was a by-day when I was here before,' he thought, 'for it was nothing to this.'
And his head was dizzy with the thought of these millions and millions of dollars, and all these hundreds and hundreds of persons culling them upon the beach and flying in the air higher and swifter than eagles.
'And to think how they have fooled me with their talk of mints,' says he, 'and that money was made there, when it is clear that all the new coin in all the world is gathered on these sands! But I will know better the next time!' said he.
And at last, he knew not very well how or when, sleep feel on Keola, and he forgot the island and all his sorrows."
'It is plain Kalamake is not here,' he thought, 'or I must have been killed long since.'
With that he sat him down in the margin of the wood, for he was tired, and put his chin upon his hands. The business before his eyes continued: the beach babbled with voices, and the fires sprang up and sank, and the shells vanished and were renewed again even while he looked.
'It was a by-day when I was here before,' he thought, 'for it was nothing to this.'
And his head was dizzy with the thought of these millions and millions of dollars, and all these hundreds and hundreds of persons culling them upon the beach and flying in the air higher and swifter than eagles.
'And to think how they have fooled me with their talk of mints,' says he, 'and that money was made there, when it is clear that all the new coin in all the world is gathered on these sands! But I will know better the next time!' said he.
And at last, he knew not very well how or when, sleep feel on Keola, and he forgot the island and all his sorrows."
January 20, 2022
Primeros relatos que leo de Stevenson, y creo que empiezo a entender por qué es un autor tan distinguido.
En estos cuentos, Stevenson nos regala la posibilidad de leer historias que pueden ser catalogadas como "cuentos para niños" pero que si se lee en edades más maduras tienen una significación más profunda. "El diablo en la botella" es una nueva forma de visualizar a los pecados y el arrepentimiento, "La isla de las voces" es una exposición de la venganza no fundamentada, y "La costa de Falesá" puede verse quizás como el engaño de un colono.
Creo que Stevenson logra una literatura atrapante, donde se juega con el misterio y la aventura, de tal forma su literatura es apta para todo lector, y nos invita a releer en distintas etapas de la vida.
Recomiendo su lectura, no sé si estos serán sus títulos más destacados, pero creo que es recomendable todo lo que el autor haya hecho.
En estos cuentos, Stevenson nos regala la posibilidad de leer historias que pueden ser catalogadas como "cuentos para niños" pero que si se lee en edades más maduras tienen una significación más profunda. "El diablo en la botella" es una nueva forma de visualizar a los pecados y el arrepentimiento, "La isla de las voces" es una exposición de la venganza no fundamentada, y "La costa de Falesá" puede verse quizás como el engaño de un colono.
Creo que Stevenson logra una literatura atrapante, donde se juega con el misterio y la aventura, de tal forma su literatura es apta para todo lector, y nos invita a releer en distintas etapas de la vida.
Recomiendo su lectura, no sé si estos serán sus títulos más destacados, pero creo que es recomendable todo lo que el autor haya hecho.
June 5, 2017
This little book sadly does not get the love it deserves when compared to Stevenson's more famous works. But for me I love these stories. They are very enchanting, mysterious and sweet. The Beach of Falesa is a novella about a trader who finds himself in a battle with another trader. The Isle of Voices is a magical tale about a lazy son-in-law who unfortunately picks a fight with his sorcerer father-in-law. But my favorite is The Bottle Imp. This short story is about a very ancient bottle with a demon trapped inside. Did I mention that it grants wishes??? Of course it does! But be careful: if you don't sell it for less than you bought it, it will remain with you forever, and you really don't want that. A very imaginative story that blends magic, devotion, with a touch of fairy tale.
June 4, 2013
This book consisted of one novella and two longish short stories of which the novella was the best. The two short stories are mythical stories with native Hawaiian protagonists. One is very similar to the story of the Monkey's Paw, and the other involves sorcery and reminds me of a Murakami story. The novella is a story about a trader who comes to an island to trade copra and goes up against a rival trader who dominates the island's trade through dirty tricks. The narrative voice is convincing, but the characterization is some what lacking and the action fairly limited. All in all, if you are looking for South-sea tales, there are better choices.
December 6, 2016
Lamentablemente no es de las mejores obras de Stevenson pero de los tres cuentos, incluidos en este libro, sólo rescato uno: El diablo en la botella. En este están encerrados los recuerdos de haberlo leído durante la clase de Lengua en la escuela primaria, y hasta el día de hoy sigue teniendo la misma magia que me transmitió cuando saboree las páginas por primera vez. Pero esa magia se desvanece, lamentablemente, con el comienzo de los dos cuentos restantes que le prosiguen, así que penosamente no disfruté de la lectura tanto como quería.
June 16, 2020
Me gustó bastante la narrativa del autor, en cierta forma cada historia sonaba algo coloquial para la época pero a su vez tenía un encanto que te llevaba a emocionarte cuando se acercaba el final.
Son historias novedosas que sin duda disfrute bastante con cada uno de sus personajes singulares.
💗💗💗💗😍😊😊😊😊💗💗💗💗
Son historias novedosas que sin duda disfrute bastante con cada uno de sus personajes singulares.
💗💗💗💗😍😊😊😊😊💗💗💗💗
July 17, 2020
En cuento de los mares del sur, Stevenson nos ofrece tres historias cortas, llenas de intriga y de suspenso. El diablo en la botella, La isla de las voces y La costa de Falesá. Los tres relatos transcurren en hermosas islas del Pacífico, rodeados de vegetación y de misterio. Sus temas en común, además de su ubicación, son el karma y el matrimonio. De ágil lectura, atrapantes y muy satisfactorios.
January 8, 2009
When you buy a Sony reader, you get 100 free classics. This was one--99 more to go. INE is a trilogy of Stevenson short stories all set in the South Pacific--Tahiti and Hawaii. I was surprised at the paranormal theme.
October 3, 2022
Incluye tres cuentos de misterio y fantasía:
La Isla de las Voces de Robert Louis Stevenson ☆☆☆☆
La playa de Falesá de Robert Louis Stevenson ☆☆☆☆
El Diablo Embotellado de Robert Louis Stevenson ☆☆☆☆
La Isla de las Voces de Robert Louis Stevenson ☆☆☆☆
La playa de Falesá de Robert Louis Stevenson ☆☆☆☆
El Diablo Embotellado de Robert Louis Stevenson ☆☆☆☆
March 9, 2010
Contains "The Bottle Imp". Also "The Idle of Voices", a supernatural tale, and "The Beach At Falesa", a non-supernatural story.
April 20, 2015
This book contained 3 short novellas.
November 25, 2018
A Ilha das Vozes - 3*
A Praia de Falesá - 4*
O diabrete da garrafa - 5*
A Praia de Falesá - 4*
O diabrete da garrafa - 5*
July 30, 2020
Entretenido. Óptimo para la playa.
November 26, 2020
Hat eigentlich keinen Stern verdient. Nicht das Beste, was Stevenson hervorgebracht hat. Schade.
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