Anthony Heald delivers all the zest and passion in Matthiessen’s well-known novel about the hypocrisy, condescension, and self-delusion in the white man’s efforts to “civilize” the indigenous peoples of the South American jungle. Heald’s characterizations are as lively and vivid as they are varied. From South American despots to American mercenaries to self-righteous missionaries, Heald’s characters are fully realized, full of complexity and contradiction. Even if the characters are not remotely sympathetic, in Heald’s narration they’re always recognizable. And though the novel is unmistakably tragic, Heald also renders the comedy uproariously. His rendition of Wolfie—the American Jewish soldier of fortune who is a force of nature—is a marvel.”
Kim Stanley Robinson’s books are often recognized for their scientific rigor (anyone looking for a guide to terraforming an alien world would do well to read the Mars trilogy back-to-back-to-back), but it’s not often an SF author gets to be called prescient in his lifetime. Yet that’s exactly the right word to describe his Science […]