An entertaining dip into Hawaiian mythology is reserved for readers of “Legends of Gods and Ghosts,” whose author is W. D. Westervelt. The tales are collected from native tongues and put into English with no apparent sacrifice of their interest and charm. The Hawaiians have developed some beautiful nature-myths, which are well worth preservation as companion pieces with the better known fairy stories that come to us from Europe and Asia. Tales of fisher folks, of mountain habitants, of magic fishhooks and of creatures who could take on the form of man or of sea monster at will—such are the legends handed down from generation to generation among these mid-Pacific people. They are worth reading.—Boston: The George H. Ellis Co. Press.—Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mar. 25, 1916.
Gods and Goddesses tower in the place allotted to fairies in Europe and to genii in Asia and the book is of the greatest interest to the student of stories.—Bookseller, London, Aug. 10, 1915.
Just as their music is weirdly sweet so the legends of the Hawaiians have a fascinating beauty about them. Not only to the anthropologist but to the general reader all the myths have their appeal.—Springfield Republican, 1916.
Mr. Westervelt includes among his legends “Ghosts and Ghost-gods” something about homeless and desolate ghosts, ancestor ghosts, and dragon ghost-gods. He has illustrated [[289]]with twelve pictures of Hawaiian scenery and fish plates in color.… So out of this rich material Mr. Westervelt makes an interesting book. Most persons never outgrow fairy tales and these have a novelty and glamour that we associate with far-off tropical Polynesia.—Transcript, Boston, 1916.
The note of the story does not often rise above the carnal but now and then a higher note is struck of friendship, marital love and loyalty, courage for high ends. As a contribution to aboriginal folk-lore Mr. Westervelt’s book takes a distinct place.—Herald, Boston, Mass., Jan. 29, 1916.
Greek Mythology, red Indian Folk-lore and Andersen’s Fairy Tales are made of one stuff and kin to them all are these South Sea Island Stories told by Mr. W. D. Westervelt.—New York Sun, Jan. 23, 1916.
These legends reveal an extraordinary understanding of Nature’s ways and moods and unveil early history with a mythological setting.—San Francisco, Feb., 1916.
The author purposes to bring out during 1917:
LIFE OF KAMEHAMEHA.
[LEGENDS OF MAUI].
[HISTORICAL LEGENDS].