The Blue Lagoon (novel)

The Blue Lagoon is a romance and adventure novel written by Henry De Vere Stacpoole and first published in 1908. The story follows two young cousins, Dick and Emmeline Lestrange, who are shipwrecked on a tropical island in the South Pacific. Initially accompanied by a ship's cook, Paddy Button, they are eventually left to their own devices after Paddy dies from alcohol poisoning.

Growing up in isolation, Dick and Emmeline learn to survive by their own ingenuity and the bounty of the island. As they mature, their relationship evolves from familial to romantic. They develop their own moral code and understanding of the world, largely based on their observations of nature and instinct. They are fearful of entering a particular part of the lagoon, convinced it is haunted by an evil presence.

The novel explores themes of innocence, nature versus nurture, sexuality, and the origins of civilization. While the characters have no formal education or religious instruction, they develop their own sense of right and wrong, love, and spirituality. Their idyllic existence is threatened by the arrival of natives from a neighboring island who practice cannibalism.

The Blue Lagoon has been adapted into several films, most notably the 1980 version starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, which significantly increased the book's popularity and solidified its place in popular culture. The novel has often been the subject of controversy due to its depictions of adolescent sexuality and its portrayal of indigenous cultures. The various film adaptations have also faced similar criticisms. Despite the controversies, the story remains a popular exploration of the complexities of human nature and the power of isolation.