THE SOUNDS OF RESCUE, THE SIGNS OF HOPE

by Robert Flynn ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23, 1970

Robert Flynn's singular and harrowing novel about Gregory Wallace, who has landed on an island in the Pacific after shooting down a Japanese plane, opens with the comment that ""hope is the ransom cowards pay."" Before it gutters out altogether, hope becomes the primary factor in making the unendurable endurable, while a faith in God, some ""Rescue God,"" is the last redemptive recourse. Gregory, who records everything in his book--this book--is alone on the island except for one naked and unintelligible native, Kee. Together they exist on fruit and coconuts and insects and rats (if that's what they are). Alternating with his ""survival notes"" for the future are the memories of those back home--not only his family but Bunny whom he had seduced as well as hapless, fat Ruby, and Helen who is waiting for him--untouchably virtuous Helen. The retrospective alternates with the increasingly racking reality; there is an obliterating storm; Kee, whose hand he mangles, dies slowly with a mute appeal for help while Gregory scans the skies for specters which disappear and for some affirmation of Higher intervention. Out of all this Mr. Flynn has subverted the boyish dream of Robinson Crusoe into the meaninglessness of man's fate unattended and unobserved.

Pub Date: Sept. 23, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION