Conversations With the Cannibals: The End of the Old South Pacific

by Michael Krieger

In this captivating work of nonfiction, Mike Krieger succeeds brilliantly in his "attempt to capture the essence of this dying age, of this disappearing way of life and of the South Pacific's cultures, subcultures, and extraordinary people who all reflect an epoch on the verge of extinction." He takes readers on a wonderful fantasy-expedition from old tramp freighters to dugout canoes, over erupting volcanoes and through remote tropical rainforests to reach his isolated subjects. His openness as a traveller and journalistic skills combine to create a detailed collage of true stories, memorable for their vivid historical and natural contexts. Warmly accommodating a wide variety of island customs and mores, Krieger grounds every fact in vital human experience. He explores two Melanesian and two Polynesian countries where islanders still live according to old traditions. Krieger is the only living person to interview members of different cannibal tribes and to discuss with them the subject of cannibalism. He tells of a tribe whose name in translation means "I Will Kill You, " and of a powerful ex-minister whose tyrannical control of a remote island evokes images from Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. In beautifully clear prose, Krieger describes missionaries, cannibals, sorcerers, politicians, and princes - all with wonder and enthusiasm. With painterly discipline and design he chooses moments from his boat rides, jungle treks, and adventures with the people of the South Sea Islands, presenting a picture as intriguing in its particulars as in its overall effect.

Genres: Nonfiction

291 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1994

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

In most of the South Seas the old cultures have been forgotten. The video parlor has replaced the meeting house; Pepsi, tinned corned beef, and white rice have displaced freshly caught fish and taro. Many countries suffer from grinding poverty, extreme social injustice, and the violence associated with pervasive hopelessness. In any case, this book is not a catalog of traditional life in the South Pacific. Rather, is a collection of the most fascinating examples I could find from parts of two Melanesian and two Polynesian countries where the old ways have yet to be extinguished.

[Jeanne Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I savored it. it's exactly what the title indicates: white guy shows up on various remote islands (a few not so remote, but...) and talks to people, many of whom he forms warm relationships with. Having been to Fiji, only once, decades ago, I could picture some of what he was observing. I appreciated his effort to be judgement-free, questioning but not skeptical. Only occasionally did he slip into a sort of nostalgia for the "old" South Pacific, its beauty and simplicity, careful about not being sentimental in the face of so many lacks the inhabitants face. Despite being taxpayers, they sorely need better education opportunities, health care, and sources of income. Krieger is good at scoping out the "good and bad" of the islands' isolation; their own leaders, a few prone to corruption; the longtime influence of missionaries, still there and providing much more than faith teachings; and the submersion of ancient ways into contemporary culture. Not academic, but thoughtful and readable.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

My fascination with macabre topics led me to pick up this book. Some gruesome descriptions of cannibalism were sprinkled in there, but most of this book described the inane dealings, town gossip, and history of islands in the South Pacific. This read a bit like an amateur anthropologist's notes or traveler's journal of their trips to the Third World South Pacific. Most of the dialog with natives was boring and long, but the last third of the book was surprisingly interesting. I'd give this a 2.5 but willing to round to 3 because of the unexpectedly interesting ending.

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading the book called Irland erzählt which was not found in this application, this book is from the same author Michael Krieger and contains several short stories from the life of different people. I am really enjoying reading this book and recommend it to all who wish to improve their understanding in German language.