HERE

by Maryann Forrest ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 26, 1969

This British author tells a nasty tale about the gradual isolation and slaughter of a former tourist colony by natives of what seems to be vaguely an Aegean isle. Cannibalism, crucifixions, live burials, human sacrifices and other grisly jollities highlight the decimation of harassed ""aliens."" The narrator, a middle-aged female, cowering in the shade of her personal shelf of rock, remembers how it all began. There was the Day of the Dusting, when, presumably equalizing, grey dust fell on easy-living foreigners and less favored townsfolk alike. Then the vision was seen and a kind of bloody pagan ritual attached itself to the Church--all boats, communications, mail ceased, and the auslanders became ""the enemy."" Restriction of food, demands for tribute, raids for nubile girls, and the tourist colony is finally driven to caves by the sea to be kept for religious and sportive pursuits by the locals. At the close the remnants commit suicide, while the Town happily plans for the Easter influx of new tourists. The timid traveller may decide to see America first after reading this, but with all the activity, this is really neither Here nor there.

Pub Date: Feb. 26, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Coward-McCann

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1969

Categories: FICTION