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About The Book

A girl from a forgotten island. A kingdom on the brink of transformation. And a voyage that will change the Pacific forever.

From Pulitzer Prize–winning author Adam Johnson, acclaimed author of The Orphan Master's Son, comes an epic historical adventure inspired by the legends, cultures, and seafaring traditions of Polynesia.

On a remote island so isolated its people have forgotten the word for stranger, young Korero has never imagined another life beyond the horizon.

But when a mysterious outsider arrives bearing promises of hope, abundance, and a future beyond anything her people have known, Korero must make an impossible choice: remain with her starving community or risk everything on a journey into the unknown.

Guided only by the stars and the stranger's vision of a powerful kingdom rising across the Pacific, Korero embarks on an extraordinary voyage that will carry her across vast oceans, into the heart of the Kingdom of Tonga, and toward a destiny greater than she could ever imagine.

Rich with adventure, myth, political intrigue, love, loss, and survival, The Wayfinder is a sweeping historical epic about courage, identity, leadership, and the stories that shape nations.

Brought vividly to life by narrators Waikamania Seve and Caleb Teaupa, whose performances capture the rhythms, voices, and spirit of the Pacific Islands, this immersive listening experience transports listeners into a world of voyaging canoes, ancient traditions, powerful chiefs, and unforgettable heroes.

Perfect for listeners who loved Shogun, Wolf Hall, and epic historical fiction that combines breathtaking storytelling with rich cultural history.

A masterpiece of imagination, history, and humanity from one of the world's most celebrated storytellers.

About The Author

Photograph © Brice Portolano

ADAM JOHNSON is the author of the short-story collection Fortune Smiles, which won the US National Book Award and the Story Prize, and The Orphan Master’s Son, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His previous books include the short-story collection Emporium and the novel Parasites Like Us. Johnson was born in South Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Stanford University.

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Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia (May 25, 2026)
  • Runtime: 11 hours and 21 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781761826030

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