Review, 'The Navigator'

Characters

Kaloni Kienga; Gunnar’s grandfather (alive and then deceased on island prior to arrival of the Frigate Bird).

Characters identified as officers of the Frigate Bird

Carl Magnusson, captain, in an open marriage arrangement initially with Sally Anderton before joining Molly Kaapu in a hut together.

Gunnar Thorkild; mate, Professor at the University of Hawaii, appointed island chief.

Lieutenant Peter Andre Lorillard, communications, US Navy, formed love interest with Martha on-board The Frigate Bird. Married with wife and children in San Diego. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Sally Anderton, medical, boarded the Frigate Bird as love interest to Carl and then hopped beds to be with Gunnar.

Martha Gilman, writer to the captain, formed love interest with Peter on-board the Frigate Bird, voted for Peter as chief. Falls pregnant during the journey. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Charles Kamakau, bosun, also referred to as Charlie, age 40, splits from his wife Barbara and takes to clearing the terrace area. Returns to beach village in ambush of Barbara. Wounds Barbara, also Tioto and Simon Cohen (who come to Barbara’s aid). Exiled on canoe and direct NE.

--/--

Characters identified as passengers of the Frigate Bird who did not make landfall

Malo (male) and Monica (female) (alive as passengers on the Frigate Bird, died in tsunami).

Characters identified as passengers of the Frigate Bird (male)

Franz Harsanyi, linguist, settles into relationship with Ellen.

Simon Cohen, musician, nominated Peter as chief, voted for Peter as chief. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass).

Hernan Castillo, the Filipino, voted for Peter as chief.

Adam Briggs, settles into relationship with Jenny.

Tioto, partner of Malo

Mark Gilham, Martha’s son, a child. Calls Gunnar by nickname Uncle Gunsmoke

Willy Kuhio, married to Eva. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Characters identified as passengers of the Frigate Bird (female)

Barbara Kamakau, Charlie’s wife

Molly Kaapu, cook, settles into relationship with Carl.

Jenny, pregnant (still-born child on island), student of Gunnar, nominated Gunnar as chief, settles into relationship with Adam.

Eva Kuhio, married to Willy. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Ellen Ching, botanist, settles into relationship with Franz

Yoko Nagamuma, nutritionist, voted for Peter as chief. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass).

Other characters - Hawaii

James Neal Anderson, Dean of Oceanic Studies at the University of Hawaii, Gunnar’s supervisor

Michael Aloysius Flanagan S.J., Priest (marmoset?). Wheelchair-bound.

References:

Bounty: Gunnar warns islanders that they should not suffer a similar fate.

Discussion

The count of islanders, prior to Charlie’s exile, is thrice specifically put as eighteen. Once in terms of the lives on the island, then in terms of reconciling the fifteen eligible to cast a vote and then identified to ten men and eight women. However, there are nineteen on the island. Eight women is the correct count, however there are eleven men. On page 153-154 there is an accounting of all nineteen islanders (nine pairs and one single) to newly built accommodation huts (with Charlie temporarily living apart).

While Martha Gilman commenced a love interest with Lieutenant Peter Andre Lorillard, I find it a plot-hole for her to vote for Peter as chief. Martha was friends with Gunnar long before she met Peter. Martha would have been swayed to voting for Gunnar based on Gunnar’s knowledge and skills.

Shalom,

Ozhamada

Note: I located this novel at a Street Library within a cafe; Nibu, in Lane Cove and dropped it into a Street Library within Sydney Town Hall.

[634 words] #book #reading #read #readAustralian