Novel set in the New Hebrides 1950s (that’s Vanuatu today)

2nd May 2018

Things Bright and Beautiful by Anbara Salam, novel set in the New Hebrides, now Vanuatu.

The reader peers through the damp fronds of the jungle, vision clouded by insects and heat vapour, the cacophony of birds assaults the ears – the steaming, dripping moisture is ever present. We, as readers, are invited in to this cloying, sensuous and yet hostile environment to witness the unfolding story….

Max and Bea have arrived in the New Hebrides, just a few years after the end of WW2. They are far away from their home in America, their accommodation is not much more than a shack. Their possessions have not arrived and food is limited. Max has followed his calling as a missionary and has brought his wife. They have hardly moved in when Marietta, the former missionary, bustles in and settles her objectionable rump into their confined living accommodation, upsetting the marital equilibrium.

Gradually they become aware of rumblings of unrest, forces at work in the jungle and a visceral feel starts to envelop the community – plantation workers are escaping, devil chasers are crawling out of the decaying woodwork and Max is struggling to keep his sanity. Bea however finds solace at times in the taxing environment, “the treacly mildew of the jungle” is like a siren, and syphons her resolve; she acquiesces to its clarion call.

The author, who has a PhD in Theology (specialising in apocalyptic death cults) spent six months living on a small South Pacific island – and her experience vividly comes through in the descriptions and feel of the setting in the book. The pervading visceral sense of the jungle environment almost takes over the storyline, mirroring the plight of the missionary couple, and this forms a very atmospheric and experiential book. It is always suggested that authors write about what they know and it is clear that Anbara Salam is extremely familiar with the tropical locale. The story does, however, get a little engulfed at times by the pervasive setting – which in terms of TripFiction I never thought I would ever flag – and which on occasion can make it a little heavy going. For me, the balance of story and setting wasn’t quite right. It is a strong debut, the writing is very good and I do look forward to seeing what this author writes next.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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