AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD

by Peter Matthiessen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 8, 1965

If the author has set out to produce a flaming soul wringer, he has succeeded, in this tale of the striving for the larger human condition by two unlikely acquaintances. Lewis Moon is a restless, culture-bridging American Indian retreating after exclusion from the U.S. into a Brazilian jungle; Quarrier is a failure-nagged, pathetically innocent missionary from North Dakota. They are confused, alienated brothers in the search. Quarrier arrives in the steaming jungle with his psalm-spouting, large-boned wife and excited little son. Timidly expectant and versed in Indian lore, he joins in the mission work of the handsome blowfish Huben and his pale, pretty wife. The fresh, starched banners of the ""God Squad"" wilt almost immediately in the heat, dirt and savagery of the jungle outpost in face of the cruel rule of the white Guzman, the wry, sardonic clucking of the local priest, and the disgust of Moon, who despises homeland and mission hypocrisy. Moon, fearing white degeneracy, longs for the purity of the primitive Indian, joins a jungle tribe and works for an Indian federation, but sees his tribes dispersed by ignorance and Guzman. Quarrier alone, his son dead, dies in dignity. Moon remains the last--and first --man on earth in jungle solitude... A marvelously exciting yarn, savage satire, telling comment, some great moments.

Pub Date: Nov. 8, 1965

ISBN: 0679737413

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1965

Categories: FICTION