The Polished Hoe: An Epic Novel of Confession and Colonial Legacy in Post-WWII Barbados

Austin Clarke's, The Polished Hoe, can be a slow read especially since the entire novel only covers a twenty-four hour period. However, within those 400+ pages, Clarke covers a lot of ground. The book is primarily about the main protagonist's (Mary-Mathilda) confession to a murder but Clarke also works a personal and geographical history into the main plotline. Clarke is able to produce many stories within the main one by incorporating multiple themes and literary techniques layered over each other. The ways in which Clarke does this can at times feel like the narrative is full of tangents but these tangents are where the details of the novel reside. Clarke explores multiple ideas within the novel. Some of the main themes are memory, class, time, nationalism, gender, desire, labor, history, language, race/colorism and of course the lingering effects of colonialism. All in all I feel like the novel is a good (but not easy) read, especially if you enjoy Caribbean literature and history or if you are interested in learning about colonialism and how ruthless plantation life was in Barbados.

Austin Clarke's The Polished Hoe is a novel that reveals the history of "Bimshire," or Barbados, through memories and accounts of Miss Mary Gertrude Matilda Paul, also known as Miss Belfeels, the mistress of plantation owner Mr. Belfeels. Mary Matilda calls the police station asking for the Sergeant, an old friend by the name of Percy, claiming she needs to confess a crime. As the story goes on the reader is also exposed to the love between these two characters and the obstacles that stand in their way. As Mary Matilda recreates her transgression along with every possible detail leading up to the event, she also divulges much of the history of the island they have grown up on. Clarke mirrors Mary Matilda's own story and experiences to the island of Barbados as a whole. The sacrifices she makes are necessary for her own personal freedom. Clarke does an excellent job of revealing the history of the island through her narrative. By choosing to expose the world to the effects of slavery and the sexual brutality existent in Barbados in this particular way, it makes his point more effective and the hardships much more real.

Very interesting book! I purchased this book to take on my cruise and I’m glad it didn’t disappoint.

Slow

Love this book! Definitely worth the price ❤️❤️❤️

I have read books before that I did not want to put down. This one-Can't wait to finish , if I ever do. There is too much back and forth with this story. It is good to have intrigue but this is book is Confusing. To me. it is badly written and repetitious. Anyone wants a better written book along similiar lines to read? I suggest Born In The Briar Patch by Bev Clarke.

Great book!!! Have had 11 others read... great

I really really enjoyed this book and since I was born in the caribbean,made me enjoy it even more. This was a great choice.

Too longwinded for me, I'm afraid

Difficult and annoying use of language which attempts to reproduce authentic reality but is very disruptive. The outcome hardly warrants the telling.

This is not usually the type of book that I would read, but the title and plot intrigued me. Once I started, I could not put it down. Fantastic through and through. Well recommended.

Tough read due to slow pace of story. However, Austin Clark was a very talented writer.

It looks like a good read. I can't find it anywhere