Withers, Pam First
Descent
Tundra Books 2011 265p 19.99 978-1-77049-257-8
ms/hs E-BN Conflict
Rex
hopes to make a first descent while kayaking an infamous river in Columbia. As
he sets out to prove himself to his grandfather, he finds himself caught up in
the conflict between guerrillas, paramilitary and indigenous people who live
along the river. Gr. 7+.
Written in such
a way that the intense art of kayaking in Class III to Class V rapids grips the
reader from the start and then quickly evolves into a tension filled escape of
Rex and two indigenous people from the guerrilla and paramilitary forces that
hunt them. The presentation of the
struggles of indigenous peoples in South America and the intrusion by paramilitary
forces who wish to take their land to grow cocoa plants for drug production is
an integral plot device. The reader comes to understand the perils of kayaking
as well as the struggles of a native people who just want to live their lives
in peace. After reading this book many readers will want to learn more about
the plight of indigenous people in South America who live in remote jungles.
The imagery of isolation, peril from nature, and fear are palpable and will
linger with the reader. Rex learns that his grandfather had a connection to
these indigenous people and he feels an attraction to a young woman who he
comes to learn is his cousin. Rex grows as a young man as he struggles to come
to terms with his image of the man who is his grandfather who unsuccessfully
kayaked the same river. Outstanding action adventure with plenty of tension
from page one to the end of the book. Kayaking
and Indigenous Peoples Lois McNicol
