Lafcadio Hearn 
Chita: A Memory of Last Island 

Lafcadio Hearn’s ‘Chita: A Memory of Last Island’ is a haunting tale of love, loss, and resilience set against the backdrop of the devastating hurricane that destroyed Last Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. Hearn’s lyrical prose captures the beauty and brutality of the natural world, as well as the complexities of human emotions in the face of tragedy. The narrative unfolds with a sense of inevitability, drawing readers into a world where characters are swept away by the forces of nature and their own desires. Hearn’s blending of realism and romanticism creates a vivid and unforgettable reading experience that explores themes of impermanence and the fragility of life. Written in the late 19th century, ‘Chita’ reflects Hearn’s fascination with the supernatural and his deep connection to the natural world. Drawing upon his own experiences in New Orleans and the Caribbean, Hearn infuses the novel with a sense of place and atmosphere that transports readers to a bygone era. Readers interested in atmospheric storytelling, lyrical prose, and poignant explorations of human nature will find ‘Chita’ a captivating and thought-provoking read.

About the author

Lafcadio Hearn (1850–1904), also known by his Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, was a notable writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, famed for his keen exploration of Japanese culture and folklore. Born on the Greek island of Lefkada, he spent his early years in Ireland and later emigrated to the United States, eventually making his way to Japan, where he found his true calling. Hearn’s work is characterized by a lyrical prose style and an insatiable curiosity for the exotic and the overlooked facets of the societies he explored.

His literary contributions include a profusion of articles, translations, and books, with ‘Chita: A Memory of Last Island’ (1889) being a pivotal work that illustrates his mastery in conveying the spectral charm of doomed locales, in this case, the Gulf island devastated by a hurricane in 1856. Hearn’s narrative weaves a haunting, almost ethereal tale of survival and loss, enveloped in the rich tapestry of Creole life. Other significant works by Hearn include ‘Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things’ (1904), wherein he deftly transports readers into the mystical world of Japanese ghost stories, and ‘Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan’ (1894), which showcases his profound appreciation and understanding of Japanese aesthetics and traditions. Hearn’s prolific output offered Western readers one of the first and richest gateways into a Japan still veiled to the outside world, making his work invaluable to cross-cultural literature and studies in orientalism.