The Trader's Wife by Louis Becke
The Trader's Wife is a novel by Louis Becke, first published in 1895. It tells the story of a young Australian trader, John Gaunt, who marries a native girl, Mere, from the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. John and Mere move to Sydney, Australia, where they face many challenges as they try to make a life for themselves. John struggles to make a living as a trader, while Mere is ostracized by the white community for her race and culture. Despite the difficulties, John and Mere remain devoted to each other and eventually find success. The novel is set in the late 19th century and is a vivid portrait of the colonial experience in the South Pacific. It is a story of love, loyalty, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
By Louis Becke · First published 1901 · Genre: Adventure Fiction, Romance Fiction, Historical Fiction · 4 chapters · 10,042 words
First lines
Brabant's wife was sitting on the shady verandah of her house on the hills overlooking Levuka harbour, and watching a large fore and aft schooner being towed in by two boats, for the wind had died away early in the morning and left the smooth sea to swelter and steam under a sky of brass.
The schooner was named the _Maritana_, and was owned and commanded by Mrs. Brabant's husband, John Brabant, who at that moment was standing on the after-deck looking through his glasses at the house on the hill, and at the white-robed figure of his wife.
What this Textopian page supports
The Trader's Wife 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, Romance Fiction, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
- Length: 10,042 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 355 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trader's Wife 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 Trader's Wife?
- 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
- Miss Sarah Jack Of Spanish Town Jamaica by Anthony Trollope
- John Corwell Sailor And Miner by Louis Becke
- The Flemmings by Louis Becke
- La Beguine by Marcus Clarke
- Lady Kilpatrick by Robert W. Buchanan
- Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton
Genres
- Adventure Fiction — The Trader's Wife follows the story of a young man who embarks on a journey of exploration and adventure in the South Pacific.
- Romance Fiction — The Trader's Wife is a love story between the protagonist and a native woman, and explores themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
- Historical Fiction — The Trader's Wife is set in the late 19th century and is based on the real-life experiences of the author, Louis Becke.
- Realistic Fiction — The Trader's Wife is a realistic portrayal of life in the South Pacific during the late 19th century, and the struggles of the characters to survive and thrive in a harsh environment.
Tags
historical fiction · romance · adventure · trading · marriage · island life · 19th century · ocean · exploration · cultural conflict · love story · survival