TO THE ISLANDS

by Randolph Stow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 10, 1959

The moments of doubt, despair and discovery -- which are often moving -- are more often clouded by overhanging symbolism and not definitely achieved realism when Heriot, old, ready to quit his job of running a mission station in Australia at its most primitive, takes flight after he has killed a man -- or so he believes. For the return of Rex, who has been the cause of a girl's death, whom he hates, has roused him to vengeful deed which has taken away all the answers Heriot has known. His long hegira with loyal Justin, his encounters with other lost souls are against a judicial Australian scenery; the mission, saving Rex' life, worried about Heriot and the mission's future, sends out its relief party which, too, has its saga of wandering, and Heriot, sane, mad, sick, weak, defiant and suppliant pursues his via dolorosa....to its end. Blacks and whites, real and unreal, spirit and body, submission and rebellion -- and wisdom and death -- when properly focused have power; without the control and the compulsion, no man's land results.

Pub Date: Sept. 10, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1959

Categories: FICTION