Martin of Nitendi and the River of Dreams

Name: Martin of Nitendi and the River of Dreams
Author: Louis Becke

The story revolves around a young man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious river that appears to him in dreams. He believes the river holds the key to unlocking his destiny and sets out on a journey to find it. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and characters who aid or hinder his progress. As he navigates the physical world, he begins to realize that the boundaries between reality and dreams are becoming increasingly blurred. His perception of time and space becomes distorted, and he starts to question what is real and what is just a product of his imagination. The narrative explores themes of identity, purpose, and the human condition, raising questions about the nature of reality and the power of the human mind. The story builds towards a climactic confrontation with the river, which holds the key to unlocking the protagonist's true potential.

By Louis Becke · First published 1888 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction · 4 chapters · 11,600 words

First lines

Half-way up the side of the mountain which overlooked the waters of the little land-locked harbour there was a space clear of timber. Huge, jagged rocks, whose surfaces were covered with creepers and grey moss, protruded from the soil, and on the highest of these a man was lying at full length, looking at the gunboat anchored half a mile away. He was clothed in a girdle of _ti_ leaves only; his feet were bare, cut, and bleeding; round his waist was strapped a leather belt with an empty cartridge pouch; his brawny right hand grasped a Snider rifle; his head-covering was a roughly made cap of coconut-nut leaf, with a projecting peak, designed to shield his blood-shot, savage eyes from the sun. Yet he had been a White Man. For nearly an hour he had been watching, ever since the dawn had broken. Far below him, thin, wavering curls of pale blue smoke were arising from the site of the native village, fired by the bluejackets on the previous evening. The ruins of his own house he could discern by the low stone wall surrounding it; as for the native huts which, the day before, had clustered so thickly around his own dwelling, there was now no trace save heaps of grey ashes.

What this Textopian page supports

Martin of Nitendi and the River of Dreams is listed on Textopian as a novel by Louis Becke, dated 1888 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Louis Becke
Date: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance
Length: 11,600 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 126 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Martin of Nitendi and the River of Dreams by Louis Becke
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Martin of Nitendi and the River of Dreams?
How does this novel by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The plot revolves around survival, exploration, and conflict in a remote setting, typical of adventure narratives.
Historical Fiction — The story is set in a specific historical context involving colonialism and the interactions between different cultures.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is descriptive and introspective, focusing on character development and thematic depth.
Drama — The narrative explores intense emotional conflicts and personal struggles, characteristic of dramatic literature.