An Island to Oneself

An Island to Oneself is an enthralling South Seas classic that captures the spirit of adventure and solitude one man dared to pursue. Tom Neale's narrative unfolds as he takes the courageous step to abandon modern society and embrace the serenity and challenges of living alone on the remote South Pacific atoll of Suvarov. Through the compelling pages of his autobiography, Neale invites the reader into his odyssey of self-reliance and natural beauty, laced with both hardships and joys.

Neale was an ordinary seafarer and shopkeeper among the Cook Islands before making the life-altering decision to sequester himself on this isolated paradise in his fifties. Armed with little more than a couple of cats, essential tools, and an unwavering resolve, Neale documents his life against the backdrop of this uninhabited coral atoll. His journey is not merely a tale of survival, but a profound exploration of the human spirit and its connection to nature.

The book vividly recounts moments of remarkable fortitude. Neale faces a powerful hurricane, wrestles with a debilitating back injury while stranded in a stormy lagoon, and confronts wild animals—all testament to his rugged determination. Yet, intertwined with these trials are scenes of tranquil beauty and contentment. Neale describes the simple pleasure of constructing a chicken coop, the satisfaction of baking with banana leaves, and the unexpected companionship of a tame wild duck. His occasional indulgence in a sip of brandy offers a glimpse of the small luxuries that punctuate his solitary existence.

As you journey through An Island to Oneself, you will not only witness Neale's survival but also his rediscovery of life's understated joys. His story is a poignant reminder of the small wonders often overlooked in the busyness of our daily lives. This memoir is not just an account of one man's isolation but an invitation to contemplate the balance between solitude and the bonds of human society.