The Navigator - by Morris West. Not new. Has a good story along with a few implied lessons about handling yourself and others. Set in the context of a sea voyage from Hawaii, to find a remote, uncharted island where ancient Polynesian navigators go to die. Is a bit like "Robinson Crusoe" or "The Swiss Family Robinson", after they find the island, with some masala (to use an Indian term) thrown in :-)

Masala:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masala

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masala_(film_genre)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56966.The_Navigator

http://www.amazon.com/The-Navigator-Morris-L-West/dp/0688030...