About the book: 1892 / The night was ending, but it had not yet dawned when I first saw this island. In the west, the full moon was already setting, but it was shining brightly. And in the east, where dawn was breaking, the morning star sparkled like a diamond. A light breeze blowing from the land into our faces brought with it the pungent aroma of vanilla and lemon. I smelled other smells, but this one was particularly strong, and the wind was cool, and I sneezed. I must say that for many years now I have been living on one of the flat ocean islands, living completely alone, among the natives. But what now appeared before my eyes was new to me, I didn’t even know the language of the local population, and the sight of these forests and mountains and their unusual aroma stirred my blood.