The youthful Thor Heyerdahl spent the year 1936 with his bride, Liv, on Fatu-Hiva in the Marquesas Islands. The Heyerdahl's wanted to escape civili...
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reviews
Oct 01, 2011
Rebecca
rated it: 
Thor Heyerdahl is obviously brave and adventurous (no matter how many times he assures us he is not). I read the book while traveling in the south Pacific and at least three times his observations about plants were interesting and relevant. His endless, beat-you-over-the-head personal lectures about civilization and progress were never interesting or relevant. Oh, progress doesn't mean machines? Yawn. And why do you keep calling Liv, your "bride"? The book was expanded and transl
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Dec 30, 2009
Steve
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One of Heyerdahl's lesser known works. This is another one that I read so long ago that my review is necessarily of the impressions that remain. The most incredible thing about the book is the story of how he somehow convinced his new bride to go tramping through the jungles of Fatu Hiva without the benefit of much of anything to protect them from the elements, particularly the insects. If you've been to Fatu Hiva (I have) you know what a rugged, savage, unforgiving place it is. It's an asto
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Nov 14, 2008
Andrea
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This is the story of the author's first experience of fieldwork, when he lived with his wife for a year on a remote Polynesian island where they wanted to get "back to nature." The author begins to develop the theory that would dominate his career and research, that Polynesia was first settled by Native Americans. The two have some wonderful experiences, but while H. continually writes about how he finds his Polynesian neighbors on the island to be intelligent and in every way like
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Jul 23, 2010
Esther
rated it:
I can't be the only one who finds Thor Heyerdahl one of the most incredible real-life adventurers. This guy is crazy! Packing off to a little island with the intent to stay? Forever? "Thus it happened that, in a biting wind on a Christmas morning, we left for Fatu-Hiva on our honeymoon." Mr. and Mrs. Blue Sky, as the natives called them, only 22 and 20 years old.
Wow. That's what I thought every time I turned a page. Is it just me, or are the Norwegians the most insane peopl More...
Wow. That's what I thought every time I turned a page. Is it just me, or are the Norwegians the most insane peopl More...
Feb 20, 2011
Will
rated it:
The writing is sparse & spartan, there is little in the matter of reflection, and the author never comes to a definite conclusion about the nature of progress and mankind, but the actual events, reported as they were, unfold fascinatingly. The idea at the core of the novel is a captivating one, and it makes the book worth reading.
Mar 31, 2011
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6296...
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4418...
I just loved this. Esp. after a few dissapointing novels, it was a lovely change of pace. I liked it so much I ordered a copy of Kon-Tiki from Powells. Heyerdahl and his wife Liv spent about a year living 'back to nature' on the island of Fatu-Hiva in the Marqueseas Islands. It was both wonderful and terrible for them and set Heyetdahl on his future path of discovering the origions of the people More...
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4418...
I just loved this. Esp. after a few dissapointing novels, it was a lovely change of pace. I liked it so much I ordered a copy of Kon-Tiki from Powells. Heyerdahl and his wife Liv spent about a year living 'back to nature' on the island of Fatu-Hiva in the Marqueseas Islands. It was both wonderful and terrible for them and set Heyetdahl on his future path of discovering the origions of the people More...
Sep 17, 2009
Dan
rated it:
Another fascinating glimpse into the disappearing native culture of the south Pacific islands written between the two World Wars. (cf. "Head Hunting in the Solomon Islands" by Caroline Mytinger.) Although Heyerdahl wrote it after "Kon Tiki", it describes events and discoveries that led to the later voyage. I'm glad I read both books in the same order he wrote them.
Nov 05, 2008
Debbie
rated it:
A thoroughly enjoyable (if occasionally preachy) book about how Norwegians Thor and Liv Heyerdahl lived on the Polynesian island of Fatu-Hiva, as close to "nature" as they could get.
Thor Heyerdahl revels in the easy and pleasant living on the island, but doesn't shy away from the downsides, either, although he's a little vague about exactly why he and Liv had to go into hiding before they left the island.
An eco-book from long before eco became fashionable.
Thor Heyerdahl revels in the easy and pleasant living on the island, but doesn't shy away from the downsides, either, although he's a little vague about exactly why he and Liv had to go into hiding before they left the island.
An eco-book from long before eco became fashionable.
Dec 17, 2009
Auralia
rated it:
Back to nature and giving up all that technology has to offer is the theme of this book. I enjoyed reading this book, it made me think about all that technology has given to society and all that it has taken away. It makes me think about my life and how I can change my lifestyle to help me to connect with nature. It also had me thinking about global warming and what I can do to help...
Jun 13, 2011
Jenna
rated it:
The library called back this book that it took me forever to get via the hold system. Now I have a giant fine, so who knows when I'll finish it. This is the account of Thor and his wife Liv's experiment in living entirely off the land. In the 1930s. They planned to do this for the rest of their lives. Then World War II happened.
Aug 24, 2008
Cory
rated it:
Good adventure story, but too flowery of language for my tastes. It bogged down the reading pace. I was expecting more of an independent nature to Thor and Liv's experience, but a lot involved interactions with the islanders.
Nov 16, 2008
Baddabadda
rated it:
1/08, true life adventure, this man was amazing back in golden years of exploring, he planned to recreate the adventure of Adam and Eve in this book, paradise, cannibals, boils, bananas...
Aug 08, 2010
Candace
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Loved this book, was ahead of its time. A tale of adventure, I expected it to be quite dated but was surprised to find how relevant it is to our times. Recommend this!
Apr 16, 2008
Delia
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It really kind of helps you to reconnect to nature if you feel like you've been losing touch during this rat race we call life.
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