By P. A. Morgan
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sugar Cane - Emma Elizabeth Fry
Set in Mauritius, Sugar Cane evokes all the rich sights and scents of a tropical landscape - a sensuous feast. But what at first seems idyllic, gradually reveals a malignant underside in a series of incidents as the protagonist, Beth, attempts to reveal the truth about her Mauritian father's abrupt departure from the island many years ago.
She is portrayed as confused and distraught, divorcing herself from her life, relatives and friends back in England, following the demise of her father, and his enigmatic deathbed message to her. As she sees it, there is only one road to follow - both to solve the mystery and validate her own sense of self.
Resolving to go to Mauritius, with his ashes, and scatter them in a cane field, she is accompanied by the free-spirited Kitty. A cast of other characters make memorable appearances, like the eccentric at the bus stop.
The final scenes are taught as the resolution unfolds in shocking familial revelations.
The author's knowledge and love for the island and its varied people is palpable - the Creole language (the dictionary at the back was a blessing), the food, the landscape - but above all the cultural tangle of Mauritian society with each strand observing their own customs, while often reluctant to admit the weight of other beliefs. And yet, somehow rubbing along together and absorbing each other's mores.
The societal conflicts are reflected cleverly in Beth's own predicament as she confronts these animosities and the wall of silence surrounding her father's flight to England.
The difficult feat of changing first person points of view between Beth and her dead father is compelling, while the array of characters are so well-drawn that it's difficult not to take sides.
The protagonist, Beth, is complex, at once sympathetic and annoying, exasperating and dogged - just as she should be.
It was a compelling tale, from which we can all understand that families have `secrets and lies'. Happily, the story defies easy categorisation, with entwined elements of a thriller and a love story.
One thing - it could benefit from a spell-check, but the ultimate test is that I'll enjoy re-reading it.
Set in Mauritius, Sugar Cane evokes all the rich sights and scents of a tropical landscape - a sensuous feast. But what at first seems idyllic, gradually reveals a malignant underside in a series of incidents as the protagonist, Beth, attempts to reveal the truth about her Mauritian father's abrupt departure from the island many years ago.
She is portrayed as confused and distraught, divorcing herself from her life, relatives and friends back in England, following the demise of her father, and his enigmatic deathbed message to her. As she sees it, there is only one road to follow - both to solve the mystery and validate her own sense of self.
Resolving to go to Mauritius, with his ashes, and scatter them in a cane field, she is accompanied by the free-spirited Kitty. A cast of other characters make memorable appearances, like the eccentric at the bus stop.
The final scenes are taught as the resolution unfolds in shocking familial revelations.
The author's knowledge and love for the island and its varied people is palpable - the Creole language (the dictionary at the back was a blessing), the food, the landscape - but above all the cultural tangle of Mauritian society with each strand observing their own customs, while often reluctant to admit the weight of other beliefs. And yet, somehow rubbing along together and absorbing each other's mores.
The societal conflicts are reflected cleverly in Beth's own predicament as she confronts these animosities and the wall of silence surrounding her father's flight to England.
The difficult feat of changing first person points of view between Beth and her dead father is compelling, while the array of characters are so well-drawn that it's difficult not to take sides.
The protagonist, Beth, is complex, at once sympathetic and annoying, exasperating and dogged - just as she should be.
It was a compelling tale, from which we can all understand that families have `secrets and lies'. Happily, the story defies easy categorisation, with entwined elements of a thriller and a love story.
One thing - it could benefit from a spell-check, but the ultimate test is that I'll enjoy re-reading it.
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