Loti est séduit par la beauté de la jeune Rarahu, et l'«idylle polynésienne» se poursuit dans les îles, décor enchanteur, mais aussi peuplé de fantômes. Loti fréquente la reine Pomaré, vieillissante et dont la descendance est rongée d'un mal héréditaire. Il cherche aussi à rencontrer Taïmaha, qui fut la maîtresse de son frère George, venu là treize ans plus tôt, et dont elle eut des enfants. La quête est décevante, Loti découvre que les deux garçons qu'on lui présente ne sont pas de George...

Portrait

Pierre Loti was a French naval officer and novelist, born on January 14, 1850, in Rochefort, France. He is best known for his exotic novels and short stories, which often reflected his travels and experiences in distant lands. Loti's works gained recognition for their vivid, romantic depictions of foreign cultures and their emotional depth. He served in the French Navy, and his voyages provided rich material for his writing, influencing the themes of many of his novels. Loti's works were often praised for their lyrical prose and exploration of complex emotional landscapes. In 1886, he married Jeanne Am lie Blanche Franc de Ferri re, and together they had several children. Loti's literary contributions, particularly his introspective and descriptive storytelling, made him a prominent figure in 19th and early 20th-century French literature. He passed away on June 10, 1923, in Hendaye, France, at the age of 73. His parents were Th odore Viaud and Nadine Texier-Viaud.