The Tapu Of Banderah by Louis Becke
The Tapu of Banderah is a novel by Louis Becke, first published in 1898. It tells the story of a young man, John Banderah, who is sent to the South Pacific island of Banderah to take up a post as a trader. He soon discovers that the island is under the control of a powerful chief, who has imposed a strict tapu, or taboo, on the islanders. Banderah must learn to navigate the complex social and political landscape of the island, while also dealing with his own inner struggles. Along the way, he discovers the beauty and mystery of the island and its people, and learns to appreciate the power of the tapu.
By Louis Becke · First published 1901 · Genre: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance · 5 chapters · 10,035 words
First lines
As the rising sun had just begun to pierce the misty tropic haze of early dawn, a small, white-painted schooner of ninety or a hundred tons burden was bearing down upon the low, densely-wooded island of Mayou, which lies between the coast of south-east New Guinea and the murderous Solomon Group--the grave of the white man in Melanesia.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tapu Of Banderah 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, Mystery
- Length: 10,035 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 321 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tapu Of Banderah 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 The Tapu Of Banderah?
- 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
- Missing A Story Of The South Pacific by John Arthur Barry
- Old Mary by Louis Becke
- Yorke The Adventurer by Louis Becke
- Flash Harry Of Savai by Louis Becke
- The Story Of The Discovery Of Scheyichbi by Frank R. Stockton
- The River Of Dreams by Louis Becke
Genres
- Adventure Fiction — The Tapu of Banderah follows the adventures of a group of sailors as they explore the South Pacific islands and encounter the native inhabitants.
- Historical Fiction — The Tapu of Banderah is set in the late 19th century and is based on the real-life experiences of the author, Louis Becke.
- Romance — The Tapu of Banderah features a romantic subplot between two of the main characters, and their relationship is a major theme of the book.
- Mystery — The Tapu of Banderah contains a mystery element as the characters attempt to uncover the truth behind the mysterious tapu of Banderah.
Tags
adventure · mystery · island · exploration · treasure · ocean · culture · colonialism · Pacific · narrative · historical · fiction
Contents
- Chapter 1: The "starlight"
- Chapter 2: A Difference of Opinion
- Chapter 3: Banderah
- Chapter 4: "death to Them Both!"
- Chapter 5: The Tapu of Banderah