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15th out of 20 books
—
38 voters
The Polished Hoe
When Mary-Mathilda, one of the most respected women of the island of Bimshire (also known as Barbados) calls the police to confess to a crime, the result is a shattering all-night vigil that brings together elements of the island's African past and the tragic legacy of colonialism in one epic sweep.
Set in the West Indies in the period following World War II, The Polished H...more
Set in the West Indies in the period following World War II, The Polished H...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
May 25th 2004
by Amistad
(first published 2002)
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Austin Clarke presents a captivating tale of murder, mystery, and tyranny. The mistress of Mr. Bellfeels, a powerful landowner in the country of Bimshire, known commonly as Barbados, calls the local police to confess a crime. In her confession, she tells a story of life, love, and subjugation as the unfortunate lover of a sickening man, but no one could be prepared for the horrible truths she unveils.
The novel itself is a difficult read, with current speaker and point of view often becoming ve...more
The novel itself is a difficult read, with current speaker and point of view often becoming ve...more
Feb 17, 2011
Shirley Schwartz
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
prize-winners
Clarke's book is a difficult one to read and is certainly not for those looking for a quick escape with a happy ending. The action of the story takes place over a single night, but it covers years of the life on a small West Indian island that had it's beginnings in slavery. Mary-G is a black woman born to as a fourth generation slave on this island. Like her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother before her she worked in the fields for a white overseer on a sugar cane plantation. She also fo...more
I had this book on my book shelf for at least 4 years before I read it. I had read Austin Clarke before and loved his writing style - and just knew this was a book I wanted to read. But you need time to read this book - and you need to be patient, oh so patient to listen to the side stories, knowing the truth was coming.
I have read the book twice now - the first time too fast because I so wanted to know what the answer was to the question posed - and you wait right to the very, very end for that...more
I have read the book twice now - the first time too fast because I so wanted to know what the answer was to the question posed - and you wait right to the very, very end for that...more
Feb 26, 2011
Fred Anderson
added it
Absolutely stupendous! Austin Clarke and I have been friends for over thirty years and corresponded throughout the writing of the novel. I just recently visited his hometown of Barbados and the setting of the novel. Mary-Mathilda tells of murder both personal and political; hers is the murder of children; slavery and the murder of the middle passage; of African children; of past memories and dreams deferred; of ghosts and visions of a post-colonial Barbados/West Indies.
A story of loyalties and b...more
A story of loyalties and b...more
As the story begins, Mary-Mathilda Paul (also known as Mary-Mathilda Belfeels) is talking to the local Constable on the island of Bimshire (as Clarke tells us, also known as Barbados). In fact, he is there to take down her preliminary statement for some crime that she has committed but the reader does not know what exactly that crime is. As she speaks, she wanders off in her thoughts, reflections of island living. Eventually the Sargent, Percy, arrives to take the statement. Before he and Mary-M...more
You know who did it. Yet, the more you read, the circumstances around the murder become the mystery. You ask for the motive. There were plenty of those. Then, you ask the 'whys' for the location, the weapon, the opportunity, the utter lack of remorse. The culprit is your victim and your hero. You sympathize with both the officer and the lady. You cheer the murderer who you cannot see as a criminal. And you walk away wondering the most important 'why' of them all: Why do I love this book so much?
May 28, 2012
Alison
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those looking for a literary accompaniment to their rum punch.
A poetic, meandering confession, the novel evokes the tropics in nearly every syllable, to the point that I could smell the sea and feel the hot, wet air. For a book that deals explicitly with the violence and brutality of post-slavery plantation life, "The Polished Hoe" is occasionally, oddly, sweet and more than a little dreamy. The more I think about it, the better I think this book was, but it takes a good long while to wander back to the point.
Okay, I don't do this very often but....I am not finishing this book. I got about halfway through and I CAN'T GO ON!! This book won an award so I pushed through hoping that it would get better but I just can't go any further. Story line is WAY too slow and everything is described in too much detail. Time line also jumps all over the place. Just can't seem to get into the story line or even the characters for that matter. Sorry Autin Clarke! Can't recommend this book.
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An interesting, tortuous meander through the two main character's memories as they face a present situation. This book allows us to view how life was for African Americans, particularly women in the West Indies in the first half of the 20th century. While some may find it 100 pages too long, if you relax into island time, the story telling becomes soothing. There's no rush which fits the plot perfectly.
If you ever want to fall asleep fast READ THIS BOOK! Worst book i've ever read this year. The history of Brimshaw was interesting but it wasn't captivating enough to want to speed through the book. I just kept wondering if 1 of 2 things were going to happen...was she gonna do it or was she gonna tell him? It was painful to get to the end, but I made it...thankfully.
The language is what I remember from this book. The most startling revelations coming to us in a dialect most earthy, real, and expressive. The cover art was the first thing that brought this exceptional voice to my attention, but it was not long before I realized this was Literature writ large. I look forward to his latest exploration of race and language.
Jun 14, 2008
Karen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people wanting to learn about Barbados history
Shelves:
fiction
I chose this book because it takes place in Barbados where I was going to visit. It took me a really long time to read and I can't quite figure out why. The bulk of it is dialog, which usually makes for a fast read, but this dialog was written in the Bajan dialect which slowed me down.
The story itself takes place in 24 hours, but it is the story of someone telling a story, so it really is the story of her life. And a lot of history of plantations in Barbados. Not a good life, especially for the...more
The story itself takes place in 24 hours, but it is the story of someone telling a story, so it really is the story of her life. And a lot of history of plantations in Barbados. Not a good life, especially for the...more
What an amazing look at violence, race, and sexuality in the British West Indies. I loved the use of language, the slowly-opening story, the setting, and the truly intriguing characters. It takes a little while to get into it, but stick with it: it's worth it.
Over the space of one night a woman gives her confession to the policeman she’s known from childhood. Slowly the history of the island sugarcane plantation, slavery and intertwined, incestuous, ambiguous relationships come to light.
Aug 04, 2009
Nancy
added it
Wow, what a powerful book! About men and women, parents and children and sex and human slavery/bondage and so much more. Exotic setting that does not detract from the universality of the message. Loved it.
This novel has a very distinctive narrative style, which demands the reader's full attention. Austin does a great job of using organic storytelling as a means of revealing characters, their thoughts, actions, and experiences.
I loved this book the main character and her dialogue were amazing, I kept picturing Calypso from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Highly reccomend this one to anyone. I am a Sci FI, Fantasy & Horror lover, but I still really loved this one. Very well worth the $2 I paid at an Op shop!!!Bargain
Loved The Polished Hoe. Austin Clarke wove a story that kept my face glued to the pages of the book. It is a story woven in the tradition of the storytellers of old.
The narrative is absolutely fabulous. The story of Mary Mathilda Gertrude Bellfeels is spellbinding. One of the most captivating books I read. A real page turner.
It was confusing and mesmerizing at the same time. A bit of a 'round and round we go' kind of feeling, but it kept me intrigued until the end. Surprising ending too.
It is a rare occurrence when I don't finish a book and this was one of those instances. I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll try again some other time...
I will always finish a book, not matter what. This book though was tough to finish, mainly because it is is written in old slave dialect. Ugh!
I can't finish this book. The detail is too much and the story is dragging on. I tried a few times to finish it but I just can't do it...painful!
the language was so hard to read and understand. I did not finish it. I am glad to read that it is a rather good book. I just could not do it.
Though this is fiction, you need to read it as you would a history. Don't rush the plot. Soak up the facts, and the legacy of colonialism.
I had the hardest time reading this book. It reminded me of La Sagouine, but written in English. No action, lots of monologues.
Definately not a book for a quick read but a wonderfully told tale of Barbadian social oppression, of race and gender, of wealth and poverty, all through a single spectacular voice, in a single night, about a single life.
Dec 10, 2009
Evelyn
is currently reading it
only a few pages in and so far it seems to be another depressing slave story... i put it aside for now as it was killing my good mood. ;-)
I did not love this book. I found it very repetative. A small twist to the story, but much to long for the content
I can't rate this with stars because at this time I just can't get into it. I'll keep it on the list of "to read", just not right now.
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Austin Ardinel Chesterfield Clarke is a Canadian novelist, essayist and short story writer who lives in Toronto, Ontario. He has been called "Canada's first multicultural writer".
Clarke had his early education in Barbados and taught at a rural school for three years. In 1955 he moved to Canada to attend the University of Toronto but after two years turned his hand to journalism and broadcasting. H...more
More about Austin Clarke...
Clarke had his early education in Barbados and taught at a rural school for three years. In 1955 he moved to Canada to attend the University of Toronto but after two years turned his hand to journalism and broadcasting. H...more
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