The Sheriff of Kona by Jack London
The story revolves around a young man who returns to his native Hawaiian island after years abroad and becomes embroiled in the local politics and culture. He takes on the role of sheriff and must navigate the complexities of the island's social hierarchy, including the tensions between the native Hawaiians and the American settlers.
By Jack London · First published 1909 · Genre: Adventure, Drama, Historical Fiction · 6,590 words
First lines
"You cannot escape liking the climate," Cudworth said, in reply to my panegyric on the Kona coast. "I was a young fellow, just out of college, when I came here eighteen years ago. I never went back, except, of course, to visit. And I warn you, if you have some spot dear to you on earth, not to linger here too long, else you will find this dearer."
We had finished dinner, which had been served on the big _lanai_, the one with a northerly _exposure_, though exposure is indeed a misnomer in so delectable a climate.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sheriff of Kona is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jack London, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Jack London
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 6,590 words
- Structure: 1 section, 94 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sheriff of Kona by Jack London
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Sheriff of Kona?
- How does this novel by Jack London fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative involves daring escapades, including a rescue mission from a leper colony, and the protagonist's adventurous past.
- Drama — The story explores deep emotional themes such as friendship, sacrifice, and the impact of disease on personal relationships.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects the social and medical attitudes of the time towards leprosy and the Hawaiian setting.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's internal struggle with his diagnosis and the fear of losing his life in Kona adds a psychological depth to the narrative.
Tags
Western · Adventure · Fiction · Novel · Historical Fiction · American Literature · Classic Novel · Pulp Fiction · Action · Thriller · Mystery · Detective Story