Drums of Mer

A fictional story from Ion Idriess, set in the Torres Straits Islands, at the end of the era for the bloodthirsty natives, as they battle the modernity that contact with the white man will soon bring.

Idriess commented in a prologue (in a copy more padded out than mine) that while it is totally a work of fiction, the locations are real (Mer, Erub etc are in the Eastern Islands),and the events of the book were based on true events - although they have been embellished and put to a fictional narrative.

The events in time - the increase of pearl diving ships in the Strait, the white men making more regular contact with the natives, the introduction of firearms and metal tools to the natives via trade and salvage - are all in context. Similarly the tribal way of life, the ceremonies the culture and their interactions and trade with other tribes is all portrayed accurately and in detail, which suggests Idriess spent time researching before he write this.

The story is well explained in the short blurb: All the magic stillness of a primitive people's fear are in the pages of this novel by Ion L. Idreiss. As an authentic picture of life among the head-hunting warriors of the Torres Strait Islands it is probably unsurpassed. At its centre is a story of a white man and two lovely white girls, brought up native fashion, and their struggle to escape from primitive savagery to civilised life.

There is much to like in this book - there is a deep level of description, there is plenty of bloodthirsty fighting and battle, and there are interesting characters, but ultimately I have enjoyed Idriess's biographical works best, of what I have read. Nevertheless, one of the better fiction books I have read lately. 4 stars.