Beyond the Rice Fields

Beyond the Rice Fields

Naivo2017
The first novel from Madagascar ever to be translated into English, Naivo’s magisterial Beyond the Rice Fields delves into the upheavals of the nation’s past as it confronted Christianity and modernity, through the twin narratives of a slave and his master’s daughter. Fara and her father’s slave, Tsito, have been close since her father bought the boy after his forest village was destroyed. Now in Sahasoa, amongst the cattle and rice fields, everything is new for Tsito, and Fara at last has a companion. But as Tsito looks forward to the bright promise of freedom and Fara, backward to a dark, long-denied family history, a rift opens between them just as British Christian missionaries and French industrialists arrive and violence erupts across the country. Love and innocence fall away, and Tsito and Fara’s world becomes enveloped by tyranny, superstition, and fear. With captivating lyricism, propulsive urgency, and two unforgettable characters at the story’s core, Naivo unflinchingly delves into the brutal history of nineteenth-century Madagascar. Beyond the Rice Fields is a tour de force that has much to teach us about human bondage and the stories we tell to face—and hide from—ourselves, each other, our pasts, and our destinies.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of Mirto
Mirto@mirto
4.5 stars
Sep 20, 2022

I picked this up knowing absolutely nothing about Madagascar's History. It's blown my mind. I'd divide the story in two parts, each with its main theme. The first part focuses a lot on slavery, since one of our protagonists is, indeed, a slave. The second part is heavily focused on the prosecution of Christians by Queen Ranavalona I (there's a glossary and chronology to help you with historical context). We follow this family and their friends, who live in the countryside and lead a peaceful life, about to change. We see the arrival of missionaries and how the community reacts to their teachings. We learn about the culture, the rituals, the sayings, the beliefs of Madagascar in the 19th century, in such an interesting way. It takes a long time to reach the peak of the story, which can get a little tedious, but it's very very worth it. It made me feel so many emotions! But, overall, I really recommend Beyond The Rice Fields. I feel like I've learned so much.

Photo of Kaycee
Kaycee@kaycee
4 stars
Oct 12, 2023