Land of Dahori

Olaf Ruhen is an enigmatic sort of character. Born in Dunedin, NZ in 1911, he has written a number of books, but more short stories and articles published in magazines and journals.

In this book, he has collected his previous stories of New Guinea into a collection. The format of the book is such that he writes an introduction piece for each section, followed by a series of stories along the theme of that introduction. There are four sections, titled The Legend, The Impact, The Proconsuls and The Exiles.

It covers stories of tribal legend (the first section), the impact of European presence (the second), the District Officers, and native police (the third) and finally some native people and how they in turn influenced the Europeans (the forth). These are of course, very loose descriptions.

Ruhen originally visited New Guinea as a journalist, then returned to accompany police patrols to the highlands numerous times, where he collected his stories. The writing was very good, and Ruhen presents things from a respectful perspective. His stories (which I have assumed are true - or at least adapted from the true events) are well constructed and all read separately.

I have a number of Ruhen's other books, but this is the first I have read.

5 stars.