Better than the movie, but watch the racism.

For a book published in 1986 and set in the 1960s-70s Deep South of America, the racism could be a lot worse. But the nation of New Guinea is slandered horribly.

The main character (Forrest, match) is stranded with his companions in the wilds of New Guinea. They're captured by a Cannibal Chief, and forced to grow cotton under threat of being eaten. If they try to escape the Head-hunter Pygmies will get them.

I can see it's meant to be a satirical comment on slavery in America. I also understand it's described through the eyes of a man who grew up in the Jim Crow South and has an intellectual disability. Also the book is from 1986 and this part is set in the 1970s. A childlike, naively racist description of the people of New Guinea practicing cannibalism and headhuntering would be reasonable.

But no! They're portrayed as cartoon "savages". They're waving spears and keeping huge bubbling cauldrons just waiting for unlucky victims. Human flesh is a casual part of their diet with no more significance than yams, and white people are a particular delicacy. The chief is literally described as "...lookin' at the cookin' pot and lickin' his chops". I automatically picture a topknot, grass skirt and a bone through the nose like a 1950s Mickey Mouse cartoon.

This is stereotyped garbage of tribal people, not anything Forrest would have seen in ACTUAL New Guinea. Some tribes did practice cannibalism and headhunting, but only for ritual purposes. They were NEVER "Ooo yum yum, a white person, light the fire and break out the huge iron cauldron". That's a pretty serious slur to put on an entire country, and lazy storytelling to boot.

If you can push through that; it's a great book. Biting satire. Great writing. Preposterous events presented so calmly they almost seem plausible. Graham's deadpan, heavily accented narration is perfect.

If not for the racism I'd give it 5 stars. As it is, 3 stars.

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