The ten sketches comprising The Encantadas, or Enchanted Isles are based largely on author Herman Melvilles experience in the Galapagos Islands, combined with the recorded history of the islands, local folklore, and sailors stories.The earlier sketches present a daunting description of the islands and their fauna. Belying their tropical location, there is nothing of paradise in these volcanic remnantshome to large numbers of lizards, snakes, and giant spidersand the Galapagos Islands are isolated, desolate, and uninhabitable. However, they are not without their idiosyncratic charm for Melville, and the later sketches tell the stories of some of those inhabitantsbuccaneers, the dog-king of Charless Island, the Chola widow, and Oberlus, the hermit.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.