The Tiger

by Lisa St. Aubin de Terán

Its protagonist, a German family scion born in 1911 and known simply as Lucien, grows up under the tutelage of his grandmother, Misia Schmutter, a despot who rules her Venezuelan estate as if she were a spider who spins a web not so much for killing (although she does this too) but for the fascination of power. She molds Lucien to her will, and after dying becomes a supernatural presence clinging to his back like the predatory tiger the boy once killed. But while her creed seems vaguely fascist, it is transmuted by Lucien's somewhat gentler spirit into a kind of existential obsession with pure action. This is, in fact, a story of Misia's for order and the will; Lucien's for architecture, gardens and gambling, and those of other characters, whose feelings range from love to bitterness.(

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Lisa St. Aubin de Terán was born Lisa Rynveld in South London. She attended the James Allen's Girls' School. She married a Venezuelan landowner, Jaime Terán in 1971, at the age of 17, and became a farmer of sugar cane, avocados, pears, and sheep from 1972-1978.

Her second husband was the Scottish poet and novelist George MacBeth. After the marriage failed, she married painter Robbie Duff Scott and moved to Umbria, Italy.

In 1982, St. Aubin de Terán published her first novel, Keepers of the House. This novel was the recipient of the Somerset Maugham Award. Her second novel, The Slow Train to Milan, won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. She received the Eric Gregory for Poetry in 1983. Her work includes novels, memoirs, poetry, and short-story collections.

St. Aubin de Terán has three children, including a daughter by her first husband, Iseult Teran, who is also a novelist.

She currently lives in Amsterdam with her partner Mees Van Deth, where she runs a film company and has set up the Terán Foundation in Mozambique.

Reviews

[Steph Newham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just been prompted to do one of those post a book a day and nominate someone...I rarely do anything like this, but immediately I was nominated two books popped into my mind - one of which was The Tiger. I must have read or rather consumed this book in the mid 80's. Drawn in by Terans' extraordinary sense of place, the decaying house, the impossible harshness of the tundra, and the cowed inhabitants of Los LLanos, the homestead where Lucien's the MC's cruel vindictive grandmother, Misia Schmutter wields her brutal power. I don't remember details, but what stays with me is how Misia Schmutter rode Lucien's back long after her death. I have to re-read this book, I'm sure it reveal more after this passage of time.

[Sharif Nakhuda]

Good

[Sofie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vlot geschreven. Het verhaal illustreert wat een invloed zijn omgeving (en vooral sommige personen) op iemand kunnen hebben maar ik miste soms wat diepgang. Het verhaal kabbelde voort zonder dat er echt iets gebeurde.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly bizarre.

[Jennifer Gascoigne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite