Return to the Islands

''Return to the Islands'' by Sir Arthur Grimble serves as the sequel to his bestseller, A Pattern of Islands. It recounts his return to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (modern-day Kiribati and Tuvalu) during the early 20th century to continue his work as a British colonial administrator.

Unlike his first book, Grimble returns to the islands alone, without his family. He details his increased responsibilities as a Resident Commissioner and Magistrate, including handling riots between Gilbertese and Chinese labourers on Banaba (Ocean Island) and performing single-handed arrests.

Having learned the Gilbertese language, Grimble provides deep insights into the myths, oral traditions, and "pagan ways" of the islanders. He specifically describes the composition of oral poems as a "divine spark of inspiration".

The narrative highlights his enduring friendship with the local people, including his "adopted daughter," Movement of Clouds, who instructs him in traditional etiquette.

Reviewers describe the work as "magical" and "beautifully written," capturing a "vanished world" with humor and self-deprecation. It explores the "guest mat" stories of the locals, touching on their beliefs, social tragedies like the outlawing of polygamy, and legends like the "curse of Nakaa".

The book remains a classic of South Seas literature for its empathetic portrayal of Pacific islanders.