At Play in the Fields of the Lord

Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: The author excels on all levels. His description is not only accurate but lyrical; his characters are finely drawn; the plot is intricate and complex. The intent is clear: the missionaries are portrayed as being self-righteous and hypocritical. Only the child can make the true connection with the natives, and he becomes a sacrificial lamb. Moon emerges as an Adam figure, seeking his destiny and finding it at last by losing himself in the universe. What a magnificent book!

Rating:
Summary: Not so happy ending...
Review: The novel, At Play in the Fields of the Lord is excellent. It deals with the very important issue of brining missionaries into "uncivilized" countries. The novel shows how destructive it can be to interfere with other cultures, especially when it will ultimately hurt the civilization. In the novel, Evangelical missionaries go to South America to spread their religion to the Indians. This proves to not only be a mistake, but it is destructive to both the missionaries and the Indians. Our culture tends to always want happy endings in both stories and movies, but this story is well done because it does not show a happy ending. The missionaries do not come in and convert the Indians. Everyone does not end up living happily ever after. In fact, the opposite happens. Both the Indians and missionaries end up in despair. This book is well done because it exposes the realities of what can happen when people try to interfere with other cultures. The missionaries end up making a huge mistake which leaves the Indians with nothing. The missionaries also realize that they have made a huge mistake by interfering with the lives of the Indians, but by the time they realize what they are doing it is too late. I would recommend this book to anyone, and I also recommend that people watch the movie, which is also very well done. For anyone interested in reading the book,take your time with it, and really consider exactly what the message is, because I believe it is really up for interpretation.

Rating:
Summary: A theological allegory with an anti-hero to beat the devil!
Review: This book carried me WAY beyond the story line, using the questionable character of Lewis Moon as transportation. The well-meaning Quarriers were as lost and out of place in the jungle as the natives would have been if you dropped them off somewhere between 42nd Street and Central Park. And the death of the innocent child is a sacrifice to that ignorance.

The journey of Lewis Moon away from civilization into the native life represents two things--a retreat from the sophistication of a society to which he did not seem to belong, and a search for an ultimate truth. As he penetrates further and further into the jungle, he comes closer and closer to the heart of life itself, and closer ultimately to death. This story is a mystery to which you have to write your own ending, and I dearly loved reading it!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the juxtaposition of humor and tragedy, and the complicated contradictions of the human spirit

Rating:
Summary: BOOK AS GOOD AS ITS FILM VERSION
Review: This book is just as good as the film, directed by Hector Babenco. Hard-to-find, but enjoyable, after three hours you want to see more. Just like in the book. It is hard to put down. The best Mathiessen book ever written.

Rating:
Summary: Missionaries Vs. Mercenaries
Review: This book is the comparison of Missionaries Vs. Mercenaries and is charactered by peopled with ethnic groups who also come from the same sort to conflict: Jews and American Indians in the land of the Amazon. Kind of a "If religion doesn't work, shoot the bastards," and "women like being ravaged by animals." This is not a book for the weak stomached, or the self righteous. This is a book for people who want to tear the face off of reality. This is a great, honest and sad book. It is a requiem for indigenous people around the world, maybe for you

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and Chilling . . . a Spellbinding Classic
Review: This is a book that must be read slowly so that all of the impact can be absorbed mentally. The style of writing doesn't allow a person to speed read this wonderful book. It isn't wonderful because of it's happy ending or remarkable heroes. What makes it so good is that it is like a delectable meal---it should be enjoyed slowly and passionately. It is definately not "fast food" fare. One must savor every bite. The author's skill is in his knowledge of the heart and nature of diverse religious beliefs---catholic, native american indian, evangelical Christian, indigenous Amazonia indian and mysticism. The way he is able to describe the mind and feelings of the characters is truly a gift and talent. Then his descriptions of jungle life and habitat fascinate and charm the reader. If I had to pick out a hero in this story it might be Boronai (you'll just have to read and find out who he is) or Andy Huben the wife of the fanatical and narrowminded, misguided and misdirected evangelical missionary. He becomes such a "scalp hunter", trying to win souls for Jesus, so that he can bost to his supporters back home, that he completely loses sight of the Lord's heart, plan, and purpose. As an evangelical Christian myself this attitude grieves me. These native indians were shrouded in darkness and demonism and needed to know the real and true Jesus Christ. Somehow this just wasn't happening. The lines between savage and civilized becam more blurred as the book moved on. Pick this book up and take your time reading it. I cried when I finished it because I just didn't want it to end. Be patient with it as well and let the authors development of the characters sink in. e-mail me back and let me know how you felt about it! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and Chilling . . . a Spellbinding Classic
Review: This is a book that must be read slowly so that all of the impact can be absorbed mentally. The style of writing doesn't allow a person to speed read this wonderful book. It isn't wonderful because of it's happy ending or remarkable heroes. What makes it so good is that it is like a delectable meal---it should be enjoyed slowly and passionately. It is definately not "fast food" fare. One must savor every bite. The author's skill is in his knowledge of the heart and nature of diverse religious beliefs---catholic, native american indian, evangelical Christian, indigenous Amazonia indian and mysticism. The way he is able to describe the mind and feelings of the characters is truly a gift and talent. Then his descriptions of jungle life and habitat fascinate and charm the reader. If I had to pick out a hero in this story it might be Boronai (you'll just have to read and find out who he is) or Andy Huben the wife of the fanatical and narrowminded, misguided and misdirected evangelical missionary. He becomes such a "scalp hunter", trying to win souls for Jesus, so that he can bost to his supporters back home, that he completely loses sight of the Lord's heart, plan, and purpose. As an evangelical Christian myself this attitude grieves me. These native indians were shrouded in darkness and demonism and needed to know the real and true Jesus Christ. Somehow this just wasn't happening. The lines between savage and civilized becam more blurred as the book moved on. Pick this book up and take your time reading it. I cried when I finished it because I just didn't want it to end. Be patient with it as well and let the authors development of the characters sink in. e-mail me back and let me know how you felt about it! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: complex characters... great story...
Review: This is an amazing story with deep and complex characters. As complex as the characters may be, they are all symbols and representations of greater concepts. For example, the missionaries that want to save the savage Niurana symbolize Western civilization and it's forced influence of many native tribes throughout history. On a deeper level the novel explores the perceptions of good v. evil and how that kind of thinking is limiting when the Catholics and Protestants are bothe seen as evil by the other side. Included into this melting pot is Lewis Moon, a Native American from the US who takes a drug and ends up living with the Niurana.

There is no happy ending in this novel. It shows just how destructive stereotypes and preconceived notions of good and evil can be. But it is an ending that is throught provoking and that makes a statement about contemporary life in a global world.

I would recommend this novel to anyone that would like a new perspective on globalization but it must be taken into account that this novel is not an easy one night read but a thought provoking (although enjoyable) journey to be savored.

Rating:
Summary: So much to offer
Review: This novel is the story about the impact of outsiders on a tribe of Indians in the Amazon. Essentially two facets of the outsiders (read Western Civilisation) that are explored ' the 'sacred' in the form of missionaries, and the 'profane' in the guise of mercenaries. Their stories told in alternating chapters, Lewis Moon and Martin Quarrier both have a purpose in mind - both feel that they can 'save' the locals that are yet to come in full contact with Western Civilisation. Moon is part Native American, and at the beginning of our story he is a mercenary hired to kill the Indians. On a drug induced flight, he crashes into the jungle and ingratiates himself into the 'wild' Indian tribe. His relationship with the tribe is really an extension of his life so far ' he doesn't quite fit in, no matter what he does. Quarrier is an evangelical missionary who has travelled with his wife and child to bring the word of God to Indians. Very early on, however, Quarrier has doubts about his own suitability, and then the broad-spectrum suitability of anyone using trickery to force a belief on the Indians. This brings him into conflict with his co-missionary, who is a stereotype of all that is wrong in the missionary movement ' this character is a man more interested in his own personal reputation and the number of souls he has saved (or it looks like he has saved) than genuine results.

This is a well written exploration of 'missionaries and misfits' on the edges of civilisation. We have comparisons of Catholics and Evangelicals; comparisons between missionaries who are there for the greater glory of God (or the idea of God at least) and for the greater glory of their own name; and the attempts by different outsiders to 'save' a tribe from other outsiders, with more concerns for their own agendas than the welfare of those they are trying to save. Oh, and there is some amazingly insightful writing about interpersonal relationships to boot.

What I liked best about this book was that Matthiessen spared nobody ' unlike some novels of this genre, the Indians are not simple 'noble savages' ' some are cleverer than others; the Indians aren't all environmentally friendly, in-tune with nature good-guys (Moon takes them for task for their wasteful practices, but they don't care)and Matthiessen takes the time to explain the motivations of his characters, something that can be sorely lacking in some novels.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good novel. For those with an interest in the specific topic area (the Amazon, 'Western' culture meets 'natives', missionaries) there is a lot here (if you liked Poisonwood Bible, i you would probably like this). But even if this is not an area you would naturally gravitate to, i would recommend it on the basis of Matthiessen's great writing alone.One point - the first 4 -6 chapters can be hard going, but stick with it - things pick up. It was for these first chapters that i docked a star (would have given it 4.5 stars if possible).

Rating:
Summary: So much to offer
Review: This novel is the story about the impact of outsiders on a tribe of Indians in the Amazon. Essentially two facets of the outsiders (read Western Civilisation) that are explored ??? the ???sacred??? in the form of missionaries, and the ???profane??? in the guise of mercenaries. Their stories told in alternating chapters, Lewis Moon and Martin Quarrier both have a purpose in mind - both feel that they can ???save??? the locals that are yet to come in full contact with Western Civilisation. Moon is part Native American, and at the beginning of our story he is a mercenary hired to kill the Indians. On a drug induced flight, he crashes into the jungle and ingratiates himself into the ???wild??? Indian tribe. His relationship with the tribe is really an extension of his life so far ??? he doesn???t quite fit in, no matter what he does. Quarrier is an evangelical missionary who has travelled with his wife and child to bring the word of God to Indians. Very early on, however, Quarrier has doubts about his own suitability, and then the broad-spectrum suitability of anyone using trickery to force a belief on the Indians. This brings him into conflict with his co-missionary, who is a stereotype of all that is wrong in the missionary movement ??? this character is a man more interested in his own personal reputation and the number of souls he has saved (or it looks like he has saved) than genuine results.

This is a well written exploration of ???missionaries and misfits??? on the edges of civilisation. We have comparisons of Catholics and Evangelicals; comparisons between missionaries who are there for the greater glory of God (or the idea of God at least) and for the greater glory of their own name; and the attempts by different outsiders to ???save??? a tribe from other outsiders, with more concerns for their own agendas than the welfare of those they are trying to save. Oh, and there is some amazingly insightful writing about interpersonal relationships to boot.

What I liked best about this book was that Matthiessen spared nobody ??? unlike some novels of this genre, the Indians are not simple ???noble savages??? ??? some are cleverer than others; the Indians aren???t all environmentally friendly, in-tune with nature good-guys (Moon takes them for task for their wasteful practices, but they don???t care)and Matthiessen takes the time to explain the motivations of his characters, something that can be sorely lacking in some novels.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good novel. For those with an interest in the specific topic area (the Amazon, 'Western' culture meets 'natives', missionaries) there is a lot here (if you liked Poisonwood Bible, i you would probably like this). But even if this is not an area you would naturally gravitate to, i would recommend it on the basis of Matthiessen's great writing alone.One point - the first 4 -6 chapters can be hard going, but stick with it - things pick up. It was for these first chapters that i docked a star (would have given it 4.5 stars if possible).