
A weary bishop, newly returned from his remote African diocese, finds himself battling relentless seasickness aboard a cramped liner. Proud of his efficiency and disdainful of weakness, he is forced to confront his own frailty while watching the suffering of passengers around him—especially a grieving mother clutching her infant. The discomfort sharpens his inner conflict between duty and the yearning for a quieter, perhaps more humane, purpose back home.
The ship drifts toward a mist‑shrouded speck on the horizon, an island called Nepenthe, its outline barely visible through a veil of fog. As the south wind stirs the Mediterranean, a lone, rotund priest—Don Francesco—offers a gentle gesture to a weary peasant girl, sparking a brief, tender exchange. Their quiet interaction hints at the subtle, human connections that may unfold amid the island’s mysterious atmosphere, inviting listeners to wonder how the bishop’s rigid worldview will be tested in this remote haven.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (778K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2003-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1868–1952
Best known for vivid travel writing and quietly provocative fiction, this Scottish-born author turned Mediterranean landscapes and offbeat personalities into books that still feel sharply alive. His work mixes elegance, curiosity, and a dry, unmistakable wit.
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