What do you think?
Rate this book
On Fiji Islands
RONALD WRIGHT'S EXPLORATION OF THE FIJI ISLANDS BEGINS IN THE FIJI MUSEUM WHERE A CAPTION IDENTIFIES THE OBJECT DISPLAYED AS THE "FORK USED IN EATING MR BAKER". PERHAPS NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD IS THERE A CULTURE THAT HAS COME THROUGH THE COLONIAL EXPERIENCE WITHOUT BEING DEEPLY SCARRED BY IT:IN ONLY A HUNDRED YEARS SINCE THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY BAKER WAS EATEN BY NATIVES,FIJI HAS BECOME A CIVILIZATION THAT HAS ADAPTED,EVEN EMBRACED the 20TH CENTURY. WRIGHT BELIEVES THAT THIS ABSENCE OF TRAUMA IS IN PART DUE TO THE INSULARITY OF THE MANY COEXISTENT BUT INTROVERTED COMMUNITIES THAT EXIST ON THE ISLANDS IN THE FIJI GROUP - THE SEPARATION ALLOWS A "UNITY" THAT IS HARMONIOUS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER COUNTRIES WITH PARALLEL HISTORIES. WRIGHT WILL EXAMINE THIS THEME AND ITS RELATED TOPIC OF THE INSULARITY OF MODERN TRAVELLERS AGAINST THE HISTORICAL,POLITICAL,AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL BACKDROP OF THE FIJI ISLANDS - SEEMINGLY ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST EXOTIC LOCALES. AS IN THE AUTHOR'S HIGHLY-PRAISED "CUT STONES AND CROSSROADS",WRIGHT WILL DRAW THESE STRAINS TOGETHER SKILLFULLY,ALLOWING THE READER BOTH A VIVID PORTRAIT (18/3/87). OF THE ISLANDS AND A RARE EXPOSURE OF THE NUANCES OF A FOREIGN CULTURE.
- GenresTravelNonfictionHistory
257 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
6 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Wright
47 books158 followersRonald Wright is a Canadian author who has written books of travel, history and fiction. His nonfiction includes the bestseller Stolen Continents, winner of the Gordon Montador Award and chosen as a book of the year by the Independent and the Sunday Times. His first novel, A Scientific Romance, won the 1997 David Higham Prize for Fiction and was chosen a book of the year by the Globe and Mail, the Sunday Times, and the New York Times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 21, 2020
I have read two other books by Ronald Wright and they have been about South America and the Mayan Civilisation, they can come across as rather dry due to Wright being an expert, in fact I would say his book Time Among The Maya is the go to book to learn all you can about their culture. Fiji was new to Wright and whilst thinking of an idea for his next book he got the chance to travel around Fiji with a friend and jumped at the opportunity. What we get in this book is the lighter side of Wright, his sense of humour comes through as he becomes a tourist for a while. He fully immerses himself and takes part in ceremonies, whilst trying his best to follow their very strict rules. This book is a perfect blend of Wright’s experiences and a history of this little group of islands and it’s people.
My knowledge of Fiji was absolutely rubbish…I was way off on it’s location, think I was getting confused with Tasmania…whoops. The more books like this I read the more embarrassed I am for being British, the destruction of other cultures in the name of “The Empire” never fails to shock, in Fiji though there is a bit of hope, amazing what one correct decision can do. One of the first governors of Fiji made the choice to give the locals as many rights as was possible and letting them keep ownership of their land, this allowed the Fijians to survive where other civilisations were destroyed by the British. This start allowed the Fijians time to adapt to the new rules, dodgy dealings and missionaries. Just when things feel hopeful you find out this same Governor made some awful decisions in the future which allowed the destruction of Islands and it’s people, this is covered in great deal in this book and was fascinating to read. If you are interested in cannibalism then this the cook book for you, Wright goes into a lot of detail about this gruesome bit of Fiji’s history.
I found this book very interesting, there is so much to learn here and a sure sign of how good a book is how often I annoy the wife by reading out facts. One of the best travel books I’ve ever read.
Blog Review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2020...
My knowledge of Fiji was absolutely rubbish…I was way off on it’s location, think I was getting confused with Tasmania…whoops. The more books like this I read the more embarrassed I am for being British, the destruction of other cultures in the name of “The Empire” never fails to shock, in Fiji though there is a bit of hope, amazing what one correct decision can do. One of the first governors of Fiji made the choice to give the locals as many rights as was possible and letting them keep ownership of their land, this allowed the Fijians to survive where other civilisations were destroyed by the British. This start allowed the Fijians time to adapt to the new rules, dodgy dealings and missionaries. Just when things feel hopeful you find out this same Governor made some awful decisions in the future which allowed the destruction of Islands and it’s people, this is covered in great deal in this book and was fascinating to read. If you are interested in cannibalism then this the cook book for you, Wright goes into a lot of detail about this gruesome bit of Fiji’s history.
I found this book very interesting, there is so much to learn here and a sure sign of how good a book is how often I annoy the wife by reading out facts. One of the best travel books I’ve ever read.
Blog Review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2020...
December 7, 2020
The islands of Fuji deep in the Pacific were known as the Cannibal Isles. It was a feared place by many, and they were subject to many influxes of Europeans and Indians over the past 150 years. These slavers, traders, missionaries and those with imperial intentions all had planned on what to do with the islands and its people. The Fijians absorbed these people and have emerged out of the other side with their society, language and lands intact and still their own.
In the early 1980s, Ronald Wright arrived there with his companion, Derek. It was much less of a shock that when he had arrived in Lima together. Even at 3 am the airport seems to be organised and refined and this could be seen in the landscape as they headed out to their hotel. After breakfast Derek popped out to get a paper and appeared back with a young Indian called Krishna, he was offering to be their taxi driver for the day. Setting off they arrived at a cultural centre and had guided tour of a village. The houses were arranged in a circle and it was so quiet they could hear the sounds of the waves.
It’s hard to be a Methodist after eating one
They would spend their time there travelling around to the different islands and learning first hand about the history and culture of the islanders, meeting various people and seeing different places. Cannibalism was a ritual that was carried out to both honour and insult a person and Wright recounts details from his visit to the museum. They developed a unique culture, and they have thankfully still had it for the most part (they have stopped eating people now!).
Most Fujian’s believe that rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and economic advance would cost them their cultural identity. They see land as more substantial than capital, subsistence farming more worthwhile than cash crops and they have been able to continue in these ‘old fashioned’ ways by developing a political system that defends them.
Before starting this review I spent a little while looking up some details about the islands of Fuji. All I can say is that it is utterly beautiful with their idyllic beaches and azure blue seas. Reading this, I get that impression from Wright too, that he loved being on these tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific. Even though he is moving around the islands, it doesn’t completely feel like a travel book as there is a mix of history, culture and his take of the people of Fiji. It is an interesting read though and a good starting point for anyone wanting to know a little more about the place.
In the early 1980s, Ronald Wright arrived there with his companion, Derek. It was much less of a shock that when he had arrived in Lima together. Even at 3 am the airport seems to be organised and refined and this could be seen in the landscape as they headed out to their hotel. After breakfast Derek popped out to get a paper and appeared back with a young Indian called Krishna, he was offering to be their taxi driver for the day. Setting off they arrived at a cultural centre and had guided tour of a village. The houses were arranged in a circle and it was so quiet they could hear the sounds of the waves.
It’s hard to be a Methodist after eating one
They would spend their time there travelling around to the different islands and learning first hand about the history and culture of the islanders, meeting various people and seeing different places. Cannibalism was a ritual that was carried out to both honour and insult a person and Wright recounts details from his visit to the museum. They developed a unique culture, and they have thankfully still had it for the most part (they have stopped eating people now!).
Most Fujian’s believe that rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and economic advance would cost them their cultural identity. They see land as more substantial than capital, subsistence farming more worthwhile than cash crops and they have been able to continue in these ‘old fashioned’ ways by developing a political system that defends them.
Before starting this review I spent a little while looking up some details about the islands of Fuji. All I can say is that it is utterly beautiful with their idyllic beaches and azure blue seas. Reading this, I get that impression from Wright too, that he loved being on these tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific. Even though he is moving around the islands, it doesn’t completely feel like a travel book as there is a mix of history, culture and his take of the people of Fiji. It is an interesting read though and a good starting point for anyone wanting to know a little more about the place.
December 24, 2018
Earnest effort earns no encomium
Back in 1986, before the Fiji coups which prevented Indian parties from taking power, Ronald Wright spent a month or so in Fiji and wrote this honest view of what he saw. It is well-written, it is easily-read, and it gives a kind of “one-month-in-Fiji” day by day description of an interesting place. He filled out his travel experience with some decent portions of Fijian history and 20th century politics. Somehow, though, it left this reader feeling a certain lack of depth, probably due to the fact that one month is not long enough to gather enough experience and knowledge to write more convincingly. The most informative and unusual part of the book is the section on Ocean Island or Banaba, a Micronesian island utterly devastated by a British phosphate mining company, whose inhabitants were finally resettled on a Fiji island. However, I fear that bar conversations, a few interviews, a three day walk through interior mountains, imitation of various accents in English, and a description of one’s drinks and meals are not enough. Wright skillfully described virtually every moment of his stay, making the most of every view, every conversation, but……
I’ve got to hand it to the author for giving it a shot in any case. If you ever wanted to know something about Fiji, you could do worse than read his book, but be aware that it’s only an appetizer, not the main meal. And speaking of “main meal”, I thought that he could have left out most of the constant references to former cannibalism, an attempt on his part to “spice up” the book no doubt, but reminiscent of a book on England focusing interminably on fox hunting habits or public hangings.
Back in 1986, before the Fiji coups which prevented Indian parties from taking power, Ronald Wright spent a month or so in Fiji and wrote this honest view of what he saw. It is well-written, it is easily-read, and it gives a kind of “one-month-in-Fiji” day by day description of an interesting place. He filled out his travel experience with some decent portions of Fijian history and 20th century politics. Somehow, though, it left this reader feeling a certain lack of depth, probably due to the fact that one month is not long enough to gather enough experience and knowledge to write more convincingly. The most informative and unusual part of the book is the section on Ocean Island or Banaba, a Micronesian island utterly devastated by a British phosphate mining company, whose inhabitants were finally resettled on a Fiji island. However, I fear that bar conversations, a few interviews, a three day walk through interior mountains, imitation of various accents in English, and a description of one’s drinks and meals are not enough. Wright skillfully described virtually every moment of his stay, making the most of every view, every conversation, but……
I’ve got to hand it to the author for giving it a shot in any case. If you ever wanted to know something about Fiji, you could do worse than read his book, but be aware that it’s only an appetizer, not the main meal. And speaking of “main meal”, I thought that he could have left out most of the constant references to former cannibalism, an attempt on his part to “spice up” the book no doubt, but reminiscent of a book on England focusing interminably on fox hunting habits or public hangings.
January 6, 2023
Yes, it's dated as the author's trip was made 40 years ago. However, I believe Wright captured the feel of the place well through historical background. A bit of a quibble that he didn't give equal attention to South Asians, who make up half the population. One chapter focusing on an "autonomous" small group was interesting for bringing attention to their overlooked concerns, though not really a significant part of the Fijian story.
I'm giving it four stars rounded up from 3 1/2, as the travel narrative aspect itself I found excellent.
I'm giving it four stars rounded up from 3 1/2, as the travel narrative aspect itself I found excellent.
March 3, 2022
I really like this book. A wonderful mix of travel observations with well researched history of different parts of the isles that is much more engaging than the dry history books that we had to study at school!
May 14, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this small travel book, which was both entertaining and informative.
The author, Ronald Wright, who has a background in archaeology and anthropology, does a great job in presenting historical information in between his (sometimes hilarious) observations while travelling through parts of Fiji. He clearly did a lot of research while writing this book.
I learned a lot about Fiji’s pre-colonial and colonial history - something I hadn’t paid much attention to before (Most of what I knew was from social science lessons in primary school and bits and pieces of information I had read elsewhere). It was interesting to read about how the ‘Levuka people’ were originally inhabitants (fishermen) of Bau island who had been exiled to Ovalau after offending the chief. The chapter on the history of the people on Rabi island was also really interesting.
The writing is witty and lively, interspersed with bits of conversation and quotes from colonial-day memoirs and history books.
My rating: 5 stars
The author, Ronald Wright, who has a background in archaeology and anthropology, does a great job in presenting historical information in between his (sometimes hilarious) observations while travelling through parts of Fiji. He clearly did a lot of research while writing this book.
I learned a lot about Fiji’s pre-colonial and colonial history - something I hadn’t paid much attention to before (Most of what I knew was from social science lessons in primary school and bits and pieces of information I had read elsewhere). It was interesting to read about how the ‘Levuka people’ were originally inhabitants (fishermen) of Bau island who had been exiled to Ovalau after offending the chief. The chapter on the history of the people on Rabi island was also really interesting.
The writing is witty and lively, interspersed with bits of conversation and quotes from colonial-day memoirs and history books.
My rating: 5 stars
November 30, 2025
I knew very, very little about Fiji, but as I was going to visit it I tried to immerse myself in the country's history.
There is a frustrating lack of books on the history of Fiji, but in the end I settled on this book, release nearly forty years ago by a Canadian travel writer. Not the most accurate book I could imagine. It's safe to say I came into it slightly sceptical.
It turned out that 'On Fiji Islands' is a brilliant read, delivered with class and care alongside a historical attention to detail that offered a wealth of information about both modern and ancient Fiji.
A well written book that was only affected by my habit of reading when tired. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about a small collection of islands with an industrious and proud people.
There is a frustrating lack of books on the history of Fiji, but in the end I settled on this book, release nearly forty years ago by a Canadian travel writer. Not the most accurate book I could imagine. It's safe to say I came into it slightly sceptical.
It turned out that 'On Fiji Islands' is a brilliant read, delivered with class and care alongside a historical attention to detail that offered a wealth of information about both modern and ancient Fiji.
A well written book that was only affected by my habit of reading when tired. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about a small collection of islands with an industrious and proud people.
November 30, 2023
Gives a good perspective of Fiji.
Around the mid 1980's the author traveled to Fiji. He traveled to the different islands and met small communities and leaders. His perspective gives a good idea as to the current political (Fijian vs Indian vs Muslim) issues on the islands. His meetings with the locals shows how the local Fijians live today. he also gives a brief history of the islands concerning the British Navy, tribal histories, and British governors.
Prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about Fiji except that they used to participate in cannibalism. This book gave me a better perspective about the peoples of the islands as I was about to travel there.
Around the mid 1980's the author traveled to Fiji. He traveled to the different islands and met small communities and leaders. His perspective gives a good idea as to the current political (Fijian vs Indian vs Muslim) issues on the islands. His meetings with the locals shows how the local Fijians live today. he also gives a brief history of the islands concerning the British Navy, tribal histories, and British governors.
Prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about Fiji except that they used to participate in cannibalism. This book gave me a better perspective about the peoples of the islands as I was about to travel there.
April 29, 2015
Excellent mix of travelogue, history, cultural observations and humor. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews