R. M. Ballantyne’s "The Island Queen" is a classic Robinsonade adventure that tells the story of a group of castaways who establish their own miniature kingdom. Following a dramatic shipwreck in the Pacific Ocean, a small party of survivors—including the brothers Otto and Dominick Rigonda, their sister Pauline, and a few other sailors—manage to reach a remote, uncharted, and seemingly idyllic island. They must immediately confront the challenges of survival, building shelter, finding food, and protecting themselves from the elements. Their situation becomes more complex when they discover another group of castaways, leading to tensions and the need for governance. In a unique turn of events, the castaways decide to form their own society, and the noble-hearted Pauline is proclaimed the "Island Queen" to rule over their small domain. The narrative follows their efforts to build a just and functioning community, facing internal disputes, threats from mutinous sailors, and eventual dangers from visiting cannibals and pirates. R. M. Ballantyne fills the tale with detailed descriptions of island life, shipbuilding, and skirmishes, celebrating the values of cooperation, Christian morality, and British pluck. It is a story of creating civilization from scratch, where leadership and courage are tested not just against nature, but against the flaws and virtues of human nature itself.

Table of Contents:

• The Island Queen. Part 1

• The Island Queen. Part 2

• The Island Queen. Part 3