Most helpful customer reviews
|
|
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another wonderful tale of the Far East from M.M. Kaye, Sep 22 2007
This is the story of Hero Athena Hollis, an extremely independent woman of the 19th century, vehemently opposed to slavery and all of society's injustices and determined to use her wealth to stamp them out. After Hero's father dies, she is invited to join her family in Zanzibar where her uncle is serving as the American Counsel. Hero's family always expected that she would marry her aunt's son by a first marriage, even though she is not sure she's in love with him.
While on voyage to Zanzibar during a huge storm, Hero is washed off the boat deck and presumed dead. However, another ship captained by the infamous slave trader Rory Frost pulls up their rigging out of the sea and finds a half drowned, bruised and battered Hero. Since Hero is such a bruised mess from her ordeal, Rory has no idea what a beauty she is until sometime after she has been returned to her family. To say more of the story than this would be revealing the entire plot, which I don't like to do.
M.M. Kaye's knowledge of the Far East shines through, as it does in all her books. She stays as historically accurate as she can, and pulls no punches when describing the customs of the Island, the slave trade, the cholera epidemic and more. And once again, Kaye is able through her books to remind us that the west and east are two different and completely disparate cultures and will never see eye to eye. One other lesson brought to home in this story is when Hero's eyes are opened to the fact that for all her good intentions, going barging in to another culture you know nothing about and trying to change them "for the better" to the more "civilized culture" is inherently wrong, and one should look to correct what is one own's back yard first before trying to change the world.
This was a wonderful tale and I had a hard time putting it down. Out of print, but readily available at my county library.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sophisticated, Superb Historical Fiction, May 29 2004
M. M. Kaye, the author of two of my favorite historical novels, "The Far Pavilions" and "Shadow of the Moon," does not disappoint with "Trade Wind." Unlike her other books, which are set in India, this tale is told against the languid, sensuous, often savage beauty of 19th century Zanzibar - a lawless island paradise off the coast of East Africa.Hero Athena Hollis, a lovely Boston bluestocking with a long list of good intentions and a self-appointed mission to abolish slavery, visits her diplomat uncle and his family who are stationed in Zanzibar. In transit, there is a violent storm at sea and the unfortunate Hero is swept overboard only to be rescued by Captain Rory Frost, disreputable scoundrel, privateer, slave trader, etc.. She is eventually returned to the bosom of her family, unscathed, but with a tremendous dislike of the Captain and his chosen profession. This epic romance is chock-full of adventure and excitement - international politics, the slave trade, Arabian sultans and princesses, revolution, pirates, natural disasters, espionage and intrigue. Ms. Kaye's research, as always, is impeccable. Her characters are subtly developed, three dimensional and very believable. The love story is quite unique - outwardly the couple does not seem to be a "match made in heaven." However, the chemistry does work and the romance provides some unusual twists to the plot. There is a rape scene, as some reviewers have mentioned, but I don't think rape has been romanticized here. There is violence in the novel, as this is a historically accurate piece, about a place that has a violent history. The rape is not gratuitous nor is it graphic. The episode adds rather than detracts from the plot. I was captivated by "Trade Wind" and apart from the spellbinding saga, I learned much about the history of the strange, lovely island called Zanzibar. Highly recommended.
JANA
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful historical novel with romance too!, Jun 18 2003
I don't think anyone does a better job of painting a lush setting than MM Kaye. Her novels set throughout the British Empires holdings are impressive and breathtaking for the armchair travel and history as much as they are for the characters and stories she writes.From Back of Book: M.M Kaye's impassioned new novel sweeps us off to another time, another place. In a time of violence we enter Zanzibar, a dangerous land drenched in languid sensuous beauty. Into this lawless paradise comes Hero Athena Hollis, a young , proud Boson bluestocking, whose noble mission is to reform the savage. But she is vulnerable to passion- and the insistent courtship of slave trader Captain Rory Frost sets her afire. now she faces the heartbreaking chouce between duty and love. A few precious novels arouse us, hold us in their spell long after the last page is reluctantly turned. Such a breath-taking epic adventure is Trade Wind.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most recent customer reviews
|
