The Polished Hoe by Austin Clarke
The Polished Hoe is an epic symphony of Caribbean life. Layers of disturbing history slowly unfold through one woman's intimate, murderous confession. In this meditation on love, loss and sacrifice Mary-Mathilda - mistress of a cruel plantation manager - tells her story in an exquisite, dancing vernacular. 'There is a mesmerising stillness to Austin Clarke's latest novel . . . Out of a single act of retribution [he] has spun an entire history, one in which freedom, love and even languor all have their place' - New York Times 'The beauty of The Polished Hoe lies in the poetry of its telling and the marvellous voice of Mary-Mathilda. The value of the novel lies in its patient exploration of the sacrifices that are made for the sake of survival' - Washington Post
Respect to Tindal Street Press for bringing to the UK this soaring and sorrowful novel of Caribbean life. . The novel's language proves as lush, seductive - and dangerous - as its landscape * Independent *
An extraordinary tale of lust and oppression . . . a beautiful light-skinned "black" woman [is] forced by the ambition of her mother and the sexual appetite of her colonial master to live a dangerous double life as beneficiary and plaything of a society steeped in racial cruelty * The Times *
A richly crafted novel which eludes, defies categories; it is variously wistful and agonising, ironic and sensual; a tragic tale, relentlessly wrought * 2003 Commonwealth Writers' Prize Jury Citation *
An extraordinary tale of lust and oppression . . . a beautiful light-skinned "black" woman [is] forced by the ambition of her mother and the sexual appetite of her colonial master to live a dangerous double life as beneficiary and plaything of a society steeped in racial cruelty * The Times *
A richly crafted novel which eludes, defies categories; it is variously wistful and agonising, ironic and sensual; a tragic tale, relentlessly wrought * 2003 Commonwealth Writers' Prize Jury Citation *
Born in Barbados, Austin Clarke is a Canadian novelist, essayist and short story writer who lives in Toronto. He has won a number of prizes include the Giller Prize in 2002 for The Polished Hoe, and the 2003 Commonwealth Writers' Prize, awarded for a body of work.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780954130381 |
| ISBN 10 | 0954130383 |
| Title | The Polished Hoe |
| Author | Austin Clarke |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Profile Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2004-03-01 |
| Number of pages | 544 |
| Prizes | Winner of The Commonwealth Writers Prize 2003 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |