This book contains twelve stories, all (except one) set in the Orient - mostly in the South Seas. They are colourful, violent, dramatic, and with that subtle twist at the end that shows the author to be a master of his craft.
Three escaped convicts, drifting on a raft under a broiling sun wonder why the despised and imperturbable native with them does not feel thirsty; a driver from a wrecked pearling-ship is revered as a god by the raiding natives who have killed his comrades - but he cannot get out of his helmet and diving suit; a missionary's daughter elopes with a handsome native chief; a cigarette-rolling orangutan in a pleasure-garden helps to save a girl sold into slavery; a penniless young waster salvages from the sea a lump of what he assumes to be valuable ambergris. Of such sort is the material from which these exotic and exciting stories are built.
Russell's work, celebrated for its literary merit, provides a window into a specific time while also examining timeless themes of human behavior.
These stories, carefully curated, offer readers insightful glimpses into the lives of characters navigating the complexities of their social landscapes. This edition presents meticulously prepared fiction, preserving the author's original vision for a new generation of readers interested in the art of the short story. Perfect for those who appreciate general fiction and the nuanced portrayal of human experience, "Where the Pavement Ends" remains a significant contribution to literary fiction.
First published in 1921. This paperback edition published in 1948 by Pan Books. Good condition, Binding intact. Light foxing and tanning.
