Susâni by Louis Becke (1901)
Susâni is a novel by Louis Becke, first published in 1895. It tells the story of a young man named Susâni, who is born into a family of Polynesian chiefs. He is raised in a traditional Polynesian lifestyle, but his father is determined to give him a Western education. Susâni is sent to a missionary school, where he excels in his studies and is eventually accepted into a prestigious university in England. At university, Susâni is exposed to a world of new ideas and experiences, and he begins to question the traditional beliefs of his people. He also falls in love with a young English woman, and the two of them plan to marry. However, Susâni's father disapproves of the union and insists that Susâni return home. Back in his homeland, Susâni is torn between his loyalty to his family and his desire to be with the woman he loves. He must also confront the prejudices of the Westerners who have come to his island, and the traditional beliefs of his people. In the end, Susâni must decide whether to stay true to his roots or to embrace the new world he has discovered.
By Louis Becke · First published 1901 · Genre: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance · 3,511 words
First lines
A few weeks ago I was reading a charmingly written book by a lady (the wife of a distinguished savant) who had spent three months on Funafuti, one of the lagoon islands of the Ellice Group. Now the place and the brown people of whom she wrote were once very familiar to me, and her warm and generous sympathy for a dying race stirred me greatly, and when I came across the name "Funâfala, " old, forgotten memories awoke once more, and I heard the sough of the trade wind through the palms and the lapping of the lagoon waters upon the lonely beaches of Funâfala, as Senior, the mate of the _Venus_, and myself watched the last sleep of Susâni.
What this Textopian page supports
Susâni is listed on Textopian as a novel by Louis Becke, dated 1901 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: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Regional Fiction
- Length: 3,511 words
- Structure: 1 section, 107 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Susâni 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 Susâni?
- How does this novel by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Adventure Fiction — The book follows the adventures of a young man, Susâni, as he navigates the South Pacific islands and the people he meets along the way.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the late 19th century and is based on the real-life experiences of Louis Becke, who was a trader in the South Pacific during this time period.
- Romance — The book follows Susâni's romantic relationships with the women he meets on his travels, and the story culminates in a romantic reunion.
- Regional Fiction — The book is set in the South Pacific and focuses on the culture and customs of the region.
Tags
adventure · romance · island · exploration · ocean · cultural clash · survival · love story · colonialism · nature · friendship · mystery