regshoe

I haven't been on DW that much, so I'm pleased I popped in here and saw that you'd read South Sea Tales! I'm glad you enjoyed it -- it's been some time since I read it, but I remember that complexity you describe, and the negativity Stevenson holds towards European colonisers. That what he witnessed on Samoa changed his earlier beliefs, and made him explore the treatment of Native peoples in his work, demonstrates his range as a writer and his empathy as a person, I think. Treasure Island is A LOT of fun, but it's a much simpler book.

Mansfield Park is also my favourite Austen! I love Fanny.