Book Review - Tales of the South Pacific

Tales of the South Pacific was the first of JamesSouth Pacific, especially the chapter on Bora Bora.
Mitchner's books I had ever read. After reading it, myHow can one man describe in perfect detail what I
girlfriend told me that I drove her crazy in high schoolhad felt and encountered just by being in Tahiti? But
claiming that I was one day going to Tahiti.he did, and very well.
Twenty-five years later, not having spoken of itSince then I have been to Bora Bora twice. What a
since high school, I call my girlfriend out of the bluewonderful place. Now that my money is not as
and said 'Guess where I'm going?' 'Tahiti', she said.plentiful, I go there vicariously by reading Mitchner's
'How'd you know?', I asked. 'Because you dreamt ofbook again. It is the most dog-eared book I have
going there since high school', she replied. The bookand the only one I re-read over and over again.
made me want to go there.I have progressed to many other Mithchner tales and
So I went to Bora Bora in Tahiti in the South Pacifichave loved them all. The detail he provides is real, the
for two weeks. It was gorgeous there. The colors,feelings he writes about are real, the beauty of the
the water, the fish, the people, everything wasland is real. Read this book, go there. You will enjoy it!
magical. When I returned, I re-read The Tales of the