Loti/Harry Grant was actually Julien Viaud). The plot correctly follows known facts about Loti's life and generally corresponds with his diaries. Many of the details such as dialog and specific events were embellished for dramatic effect. The Marriage of Loti was first published in 1880 under the title Rarahu and later editions under the new title. It was received with wide acclaim from both critics and the public. Le Figaro described it as "one of the most charming works to have appeared for a long time," and Le Temps found it "charming, new without extravagance, original without affection." The public found its exotic and lyric prose a sharp and welcome contrast from the in-vogue French realist school that included such authors as Émile Zola. The novel reflected prevailing imperialistic attitudes towards the colonies, seeing the natives as innocent and wild children of the forest exposed to the fearsome and old paternal European culture. This was during a period (1880s to 1900s) when European imperialism had reached its height and the genre of "romantic exoticism", of which this work is one of the finest examples, struck a popular chord. In a post-colonial perspective it is largely seen as racist and imperialistic. As biographer Lesley Blanch says, "Loti's works helps to sustain [the] gratifying image of cultural superiority among his European readers. To enjoy reading Loti is to enjoy the personal and cultural complacency of which the colonial venture thrived." However Loti's lyrical prose and hauntingly vivid descriptions of the Polynesian islands are artistically satisfying, and the tragic ending, as Loti recognizes his failure through a broken heart, adds a more human and universal dimension to the strictly colonial interpretation. Notes References Kaori O'Connor (Introduction), Clara Bell (Translator). Tahiti: The Marriage of Loti. Kegan Paul, 2002. - this is an out of copyright translation (1920s?) by Clara Bell in a facsimile reprint. The Introduction by O'Connor is recent. Eleanor Frierson (Translator), Wright Frierson (Translator). Marriage of Loti. University of Hawaii Press, 1976. - recent translation. Lesley Blanch. Pierre Loti: The Legendary Romantic. 1982–83. Chapter 4. Edward B. D'Auvergne. Romance of a Great Writer. ca. 1920s. Chapter IV "Isle of Desire". 1880 French novels French autobiographical novels Novels adapted into operas Novels by Pierre Loti