["Fatu-Hiva"] indefatigably records the details of [Liv and Thor Heyerdahl's] semi-informed leap into another way of life. The account is buoyed by the author's persistent enthusiasm for the project, despite obvious privations, bouts with disease, and incidents of danger.
The journey itself, and not surprisingly the book about it, carries an undertone of hippie-like defiance of modern-day conveniences and customary ways of looking at life and purpose. The reader races ahead to the conclusion that, yes, it is possible to "tear ourselves away from our artificial life," but to what end? Most people do not need to go through such a grueling experience to arrive at such simple knowledge that "we have nowhere to retreat to, no choice but to help one another to build a durable civilization in harmony with whatever natural environment we have left."
This is a free excerpt of 136 words. There are 211 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Heyerdahl, Thor 1914–: Critical Essay by Frederick H. Guidry Access Pass.
