The Island of Women

The Island of Women

A novel set on a remote island inhabited solely by women, where the protagonist, a man, becomes stranded and must navigate the complex social dynamics of this unusual society.

By Basil Hall Chamberlain · First published 1908 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance · 866 words

First lines

In ancient days, an Aino chieftain of Iwanai went to sea in order to catch sea-lions, taking with him his two sons. They speared a sea-lion, which, however, swam off with the spear sticking in its body. Meanwhile a gale began to blow down from the mountains. The men cut the rope which was fast to the spear. Then their boat floated on. After some time, they reached a beautiful land. When they had reached it, a number of women in fine garments came down from the mountains to the shore. They came bearing a beautiful woman in a litter. Then all the women who had come to the shore returned to the mountains. Only the one in the litter came close to the boat, and spoke thus: "This land is woman-land. It is a land where no men live. It being now spring, and there being something peculiar to this country of mine you shall be taken care of in my house until the autumn; and in the winter you shall become our husbands. The following spring I will send you home. So now do you bear me to my house."

What this Textopian page supports

The Island of Women is listed on Textopian as a short story by Basil Hall Chamberlain, dated 1908 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

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Feminist Literature · Island Setting · Mythology · Greek Mythology · Female Empowerment · Gender Roles · Social Commentary · Fiction · Novel · Romance · Adventure · Escape

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