from Stbalbach

Although written in 1965 (when Matthiessen was 38) the novel still remains vibrant and relevant, its staying power attested by its transition to film almost 30 years later in 1992. Even though it would seem almost un-filmable, the director did a good job, carried in part by the beautiful photogra...

from hayesstw

Two American Protestant missionaries and two mercenaries try to change the life of an Indian tribe in the Amazon jungle, and are changed themselves in the process. An administrator tries to use them for his own purposes.

from NicholasPayne

Matthiessen writes intelligently, but never quite captures me, but never would I say he isn't worth a read.

from alexandriaginni

After 50 pages, I'd had enough.

from kambrogi

I chose this for a book/movie club because I liked the movie so much, but as the film turned out to be 3+ hours long, we chose The Mission to view. Both are typical missionary-mercenary stories, where people tamper with primitive cultures for different - usually selfish -- reasons (example: Poiso...