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Far Tortuga is a novel by American author Peter Matthiessen, first published in 1975. Known for its experimental style and evocative prose, the novel follows the story of a group of Caribbean turtle fishermen as they sail the waters of the Cayman Islands aboard the schooner Lillias Eden. The novel combines elements of adventure, realism, and environmental concern.

Plot

The novel tells the story of a crew of turtle fishermen who venture out to sea in search of green turtles. Led by Captain Raib Avers, a veteran seaman, the crew struggles against internal tensions, the harshness of the environment, and the decline of traditional fishing ways. Matthiessen explores themes of isolation, survival, and humanity's fraught relationship with nature as the crew encounters increasingly ominous challenges on their doomed voyage.

Style and themes

Far Tortuga is distinguished by its unconventional narrative style. Matthiessen employs minimal punctuation, fragmented dialogue, and extensive use of white space on the page to convey the isolation and expansiveness of life at sea. The novel also incorporates local dialects and vernacular speech to capture the voices of its Caymanian and Caribbean characters authentically.

Thematically, the novel examines the consequences of environmental exploitation, the erosion of traditional ways of life, and existential questions of mortality and fate. The dwindling population of green turtles serves as both a literal and symbolic backdrop to the characters' struggles.

Reception

Far Tortuga received positive reviews upon its release. Critics praised Matthiessen's mastery of language and his ability to evoke the beauty and brutality of the Caribbean seascape. In his 1975 review, literary critic John Updike called the novel a "beautiful, risky book," and commended its "dazzling descriptive passages." However, some readers found the experimental style challenging.

The novel has since been recognized as one of Matthiessen's most ambitious works, cementing his reputation as a major figure in American literature.

References

1. Updike, John (1975). "Review of Far Tortuga". The New Yorker.

External links

• Peter Matthiessen at The Paris Review

• 1975 novels