Scan barcode
A review by mochagirl
Prospero's Daughter by Elizabeth Nunez
5.0
n Elizabeth Nunez's Prospero's Daughter, the exploits of its key characters (Dr. Peter Gardner, Carlos, Virginia, and Ariana) are intrinsically linked to key characters (Prospero, Caliban, Miranda, and Ariel respectively) and themes inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. Both works occur on an island, both explore the principles of freedom, forgiveness and rebirth but Nunez modernizes the classic tale by adding contemporary flavors of racism, classism, colorism and domination - legacies of European colonial rule.
Staged in the 1960's, Prospero's Daughter opens with an investigation of an attempted rape of Virginia Gardner, reported by her father, Dr. Peter Gardner. As the investigation progresses, the police uncover a repulsive secret that exposes the truth behind the alleged rape and ironically parallels the historical sins of the colonizers and social unrest of the day (Trinidad's quest for independence from British rule). Nunez also folds in the rich history of Trinidad and its inhabitants when retracing the deteriorating relationship between the colonizers and the colonized. She cleverly divides the book into three sections to allow the reader to gain altering views and perspectives from Peter, Carlos, and Virginia on the series of events lea! ding up to the alleged rape.
Paralleling the play, Peter's arrival on Carlo's island home in the aftermath of a deadly storm is symbolic that a dark and destructive force has arrived. Peter steals the house by outwardly lying and squatting on the property Carlos inherited from his parents. He spews insults upon Carlos's deceased parents memory (an unmarried interracial couple), administers punishments as self-imposed `master' of the manor and batters young Carlos and Ariana's self-esteem, innocence and dignity by subtly administering psychological, physical and verbal attacks reinforcing negative stereotypes surrounding their mental inferiority, lower socia! l class and their "natural/savage" behavior. Dr. Gardner relents a bit when he decides to experiment on using his rationale - to "civilize" - Carlos (it is his duty as an Englishman to attempt to do so), but his warped thinking only exacerbates Carlo's fury over the years. Dr. Gardner's self-imposed exile on the island also fails miserably and leads to unforgivable lasciviousness and an unexpected, clandestined love affair.
This novel is filled with so many pedagogical and cultural facets that this reviewer can not do the book justice. Although it started a bit slow, the writing was such that I was pulled in deeper - constantly highlighting passages and scribbling in the margins along the way. It caused me to pause and give thought to many of the themes and the masterful handling of parallels to the original work, to modern day events and historical and current social attitudes. I was thoroughly entertained, educated, angered and appalled. This was my first time reading Ms. Nunez and I will definitely read her other works. I highly recommend it to those who can appreciate "literary" pieces steeped in history and culture. It is well done and well written!
Staged in the 1960's, Prospero's Daughter opens with an investigation of an attempted rape of Virginia Gardner, reported by her father, Dr. Peter Gardner. As the investigation progresses, the police uncover a repulsive secret that exposes the truth behind the alleged rape and ironically parallels the historical sins of the colonizers and social unrest of the day (Trinidad's quest for independence from British rule). Nunez also folds in the rich history of Trinidad and its inhabitants when retracing the deteriorating relationship between the colonizers and the colonized. She cleverly divides the book into three sections to allow the reader to gain altering views and perspectives from Peter, Carlos, and Virginia on the series of events lea! ding up to the alleged rape.
Paralleling the play, Peter's arrival on Carlo's island home in the aftermath of a deadly storm is symbolic that a dark and destructive force has arrived. Peter steals the house by outwardly lying and squatting on the property Carlos inherited from his parents. He spews insults upon Carlos's deceased parents memory (an unmarried interracial couple), administers punishments as self-imposed `master' of the manor and batters young Carlos and Ariana's self-esteem, innocence and dignity by subtly administering psychological, physical and verbal attacks reinforcing negative stereotypes surrounding their mental inferiority, lower socia! l class and their "natural/savage" behavior. Dr. Gardner relents a bit when he decides to experiment on using his rationale - to "civilize" - Carlos (it is his duty as an Englishman to attempt to do so), but his warped thinking only exacerbates Carlo's fury over the years. Dr. Gardner's self-imposed exile on the island also fails miserably and leads to unforgivable lasciviousness and an unexpected, clandestined love affair.
This novel is filled with so many pedagogical and cultural facets that this reviewer can not do the book justice. Although it started a bit slow, the writing was such that I was pulled in deeper - constantly highlighting passages and scribbling in the margins along the way. It caused me to pause and give thought to many of the themes and the masterful handling of parallels to the original work, to modern day events and historical and current social attitudes. I was thoroughly entertained, educated, angered and appalled. This was my first time reading Ms. Nunez and I will definitely read her other works. I highly recommend it to those who can appreciate "literary" pieces steeped in history and culture. It is well done and well written!