STRONG WIND

by Miguel Angel Asturias ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 24, 1968

A curiously inept novel by the author of the unusual El Senor Presidente, published here in translation in 1964. Asturias now slices up what is probably United Fruit, in this tale of the exploitation by a large American company, Tropical Banana, of a small Caribbean plantation community. In the midst of the oppressed steps one Lester Mead, an American hermit and community Yippee, apparently restored to sanity by his marriage to Leland, former wife of a Banana official. Lester rallies the workers against the ""Green Pope"" (faceless officialdom), sells for them on local markets, urges a tight-fisted ""Indian"" economy. But Lester of the floating hair turns out to be a Lord Greystroke, none other than a major holder in the Company where he hopes some reforms may be accomplished. Alas for progress--Lester and Leland are obliterated by a hurricane. Mr. Asturias cannot bear. silences; in a skillful and brilliant montage of shocking sensual impressions, bright, quick gestures and attitudes, he inserts needless myth-fantasies, high-flown talk and the bewildering materializing and vanishing of characters. A complexity not suited to a doctrinaire subject. Although the author's handling of political matters is soundly motivated, his portrait of the American establishment is naive in the extreme and his Americans talk like Mary Worth baronets. But yes, he knows his bananas.

Pub Date: Jan. 24, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1968

Categories: FICTION