Kirjahaku

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Everyone has heard of St Helena, but nobody knows much about it. This suits most of its inhabitants just fine. Unfortunately it does not suit its remote rulers in London, who think it costs too much and ideally should be made to earn money for them. It is still a mini-colony in the time when these stories are set, complete with a Governor with feathers on his hat. The locals just want to get on with their lives. But money is short and many of them are forced to leave, sometimes forever. These stories are mostly a light-hearted look at life on this tiny island. They have an airport now, but these are tales of life in earlier times that will soon seem very remote, a peep into a way of life that will soon be forgotten. There are some marvellous local characters with all their problems and peccadilloes, the good and not-so-good officials sent out from London to try and run the place. There is also the unwanted official visitor when it is sensed that the remote control from afar is not as effective as it might be. And the assorted mercenaries, missionaries and misfits who briefly appear in their lives. As in all small places there are endless opportunities to scheme and manoeuvre to achieve their respective ends.

In a companion volume to his earlier books, Geoffrey Martin returns to St Helena, a small island made famous by Napoleon but largely unknown ever since. Here are more stories about the islanders and the other characters who have ended up here, whether sent by the United Kingdom to try and administer the island or just by fate. The islanders remain as keen as ever to maintain their own way of life and independence, and avoid the interference of their technical masters overseas. These are gentle and light hearted stories about the island and its inhabitants whether human or a giant tortoise named Jonathan. The author captures both the spirit and atmosphere of the place. Like revisiting an old friend this new collection will once again take you back to a very small island in the middle of a very large ocean.

A snapshot of life in a small Caribbean island, an unwanted remnant of empire that Britain would like to but cannot ignore. In the hope that it might pay for itself it has been encouraged to become a tax haven with all the usual (and unusual) associated activities – and a luxury holiday destination. People who belong there adjust as best they can to the bombardment of new ways, ideas and businesses. Some try to ignore it, some are bemused, some adapt, and the sharper ones take full advantage. There are new visitors - tourists, idealists, escapers and businessmen of varying degrees of honesty. And there is one feisty lady who only wants to care for animals but who inadvertently gets caught up in matters that she knows nothing about.