120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Celebrate NZ Bookshop Day 📚 We’re open 8:30–5pm this weekend!

Visitants

By Randolph Stow
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.01 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 106 ratings, 18 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Visitants by Randolph Stow is a compelling novel that explores cultural clashes and personal discovery through the narrative of an Australian patrol officer stationed in New Guinea. The story delves into the complexities of colonialism and the impact of Western influence on indigenous cultures, set against a backdrop of tense and vibrant interactions during a UFO sighting. Through intricate storytelling, Stow illuminates themes of belonging, identity, and connection amidst an unfamiliar landscape.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1799
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate immersive stories with a mysterious and atmospheric setting. Set in Papua New Guinea, it provides a unique exploration of cultural encounters and personal introspection, intricately weaving themes of tension and the unknown. The evocative writing style and rich character development offer a deep, reflective read that captures the complexities of human experience.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

An investigation into a Patrol Officer's suicide in New Guinea leads to revelations about his secret past.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When Patrol Officer Alistair Cawdor commits suicide on a small island off New Guinea a colonial inquest is launched. Five witnesses are called to give testimony: the government interpreter, the territory's cadet officer, a planter who claims ownership of the island, one of his servants and the son of the local chief. Each has a disturbing story to tell.

Cawdor's secret past will eventually be put together, piece by damning piece. But what of the ominous newcomer Metusela, and the unidentified visitant that has inspired a cargo cult?

Visitants by Randolph Stow deftly explores these complex narrative strands, weaving a tapestry of tension and mystery on this remote island.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Visitants by Randolph Stow is highly praised for its evocative writing and vivid depiction of the Trobriand Islands setting. Critics commend it as a brilliant and ambitious novel that showcases Stow's talent in storytelling and his ability to capture the intricacies of human connections and the natural environment. The work is celebrated as an extraordinary example of Australian literature, reflecting the author's exceptional poetic prose and insightful examination of characters.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925240276

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 August 2015

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Drusilla Modjeska

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 201g

Pages: 272

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Randolph Stow

About the Author

Authors Bio, not available

Also by Randolph Stow

View all
  • The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea: Popular Penguins
    In 1941, Rob Coram is six. The war feels far removed from Geraldton in Western Australia. But when his favourite older cousin Rick leaves to join the army, the war takes a step closer. When Rick returns several years later, he has changed and the old merry-go-round that represents Rob's dream of utopia begins to disintegrate before his eyes. The...
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Girl Green As Elderflower
    Crispin Clare returns to his ancestral home in Suffolk to recover from a tropical disease he contracted while working in the Pacific. His life is now one of quiet mornings and peaceful afternoons spent in the garden. Suffering physically and psychologically, Clare turns to writing as a source of therapy. Intrigued by the local folklore, he re-examines his life and...
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Suburbs Of Hell
    In the quiet seafaring town of Tornwich, little goes unnoticed. Neighbourhood gossip spreads like wildfire, leaving few skeletons in closets. But late one night, a man is shot dead in his home. A short time later, another body is discovered. The town is gripped by fear. The finger of blame is pointed in all directions. False accusations and outlandish charges...
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • To the Islands
    Exhausted and losing faith, an Anglican minister flees his mission in Australia's northwest for the vast emptiness of the outback. In the soul country of the desert, the old man searches for the islands of the Aboriginal dead, reflecting on past transgressions and on his life's work. A Lear-like tale of madness and destruction, published when Randolph Stow was only...
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Tourmaline
    Once prosperous, the town of Tourmaline in outback Western Australia is dying. The mines are drying up, and the land is riddled by drought. Those townspeople left have little to do but while away the hours with drink. Salvation of sorts arrives in the form of Michael Random, a mysterious water diviner who emerges from the desert. As the town's...
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Midnite
    Midnite is a not-so-wild and not-too-bright colonial boy. When he becomes an orphan, his animal friends decide he should be a bushranger. But bushranging isn't easy either. An hilarious, classic Australian novel.
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Land's Meaning
    In The Land's Meaning, John Kinsella brings together selected works of one of Australia's finest modernist poets. Including previously uncollected pieces, the volume's wide-ranging introduction provides a rich context for the work of this extraordinary and important poet in the most comprehensive collection of Stow's work to date. Alternately prolific and silent, Randolph Stow won the Miles Franklin Literary Award...
    By Randolph Stow
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from General Fiction

View all
  • Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Yesteryear
    A BOLD AND BITING SATIRE. WILL HAVE YOU GASPING TO THE FINAL PAGE — Nita Prose WICKEDLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FRIGHTENINGLY PERCEPTIVE — Abigail Dean INVENTIVE, ADDICTIVE, A WILD RIDE — Ashley Audrain SHOT THROUGH WITH HUMOUR AND LACED WITH DARKNESS — Clare Mackintosh The Stepford Wives meets The Handmaid's Tale — Hannah Deitch My name was Natalie Heller...
    By Caro Claire Burke
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dylan's Pick Dylan's Pick
    Theo of Golden
    THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON'For anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. Nothing is what it's supposed to be if love is not at the core.' One morning, a stranger arrives in the town of Golden. No one knows who he is or where he came from…His name is Theo and he's arrived there by chance –...
    By Allen Levi
    Paperback
    $2899
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    (6)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Wedding People
    'BEST READ OF THE YEAR SO FAR' THE TIMES 'BOOKS AS FUN AS THIS ONE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN' GUARDIAN Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel in Rhode Island wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes. Immediately she is mistaken for one of the wedding people — but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall...
    By Alison Espach
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)
    All five of the Court of Thorns and Roses paperbacks packaged together in a gorgeous box set. "Passionate, violent, sexy and daring." —USA TODAY on A Court of Thorns and Roses Feyre is a huntress. The skin of a wolf would bring enough gold to feed her sisters for a month. But the life of a magical creature comes at...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Set
    $9999
    Elsewhere:
    $12495
    (4)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Threshing Day
    New Release
    Threshing Day
    Please note: We have run out of stock of our first delivery for release day however we have more stock coming which is due in a weeks time.   The next book in the blockbuster Empyrean series, Threshing Day, contains thirteen stories starring your favourite characters and their dragons. The deluxe first edition includes sixteen beautiful original full-colour illustrations by artist...
    By Rebecca Yarros
    Hardback
    $4999
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Mist and Fury
    A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas continues Feyre Archeron's epic journey in the world of the High Fae. Having survived the brutal trials under the Mountain, Feyre returns to the Spring Court. Though she now possesses the immortal powers of the High Fae, the traumatic experiences have left scars on her human heart. Haunted by the...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Wings and Ruin
    The third instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. In A Court of Wings and Ruin, the gripping third book of the ACOTAR series, Feyre Archeron faces the ultimate battle for her world. Having returned to the Spring Court, she is determined to gather...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses
    The first instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON and TikTok sensation, from multi-million selling and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan – Time Harry Potter magic, Taylor Swift sass, Fifty Shades-level athleticism – The Sunday Times With bits of Buffy, Game of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Frost and Starlight
    In A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, readers are invited to revisit the enchanting world of Prythian in a heartwarming and introspective narrative. Set against the backdrop of the Winter Solstice, Feyre Archeron and her mate Rhysand return to centre stage as they strive to restore the Night Court after the devastating conflicts of A Court...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Silver Flames - Night Court Edition
    Limited Edition
    A Court of Silver Flames - Night Court Edition
    The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Frost and Starlight - Night Court Edition
    Limited Edition
    A Court of Frost and Starlight - Night Court Edition
    The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. An unmissable companion tale to the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Silver Flames
    The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan - Time Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James – Telegraph Spiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

General Fiction lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all