The Polished Hoe

By: Austin Clarke

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Winner of both the Giller Prize and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, The Polished Hoe is acclaimed author Austin Clarke's masterpiece.

On a Caribbean island in the 1950s, elderly Mary Gertrude Mathilda commits murder. As she explains herself to police, her story exposes the ugly underbelly of life on Caribbean plantations, with its slavery and brutality.

When Mary-Mathilda, one of the most respected women of the island of Bimshire (also known as Barbados) calls the police to confess to the crime, the result is a shattering all-night vigil that brings together elements of the island's African past and the tragic legacy of colonialism in one epic sweep.

Set in the West Indies in the period following World War II, The Polished Hoe - an Essence best seller and a Washington Post Book World Most Worthy Book of 2003 - unravels over the course of 24 hours but spans the collective experience of a society characterized by slavery.

©2003 Austin Clarke (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Brilliantly written dialogue, a rich, dancing patois that fills out the dimensions of the island's painful history and its complex caste system." (Publishers Weekly)

Moves to slow

Couldn't get into it, way to much detail and jumps around alot. Not a good choice.

So So

This story had such potential. I liked the story being told but the back and forth of it became so annoying that at one point I wanted just wanted it to end. This did not need to be this long.

A dull Hoe

The plot of this story was good. However, It was too descriptive and gave too many minute details about the scenery. It ended stupid and left so much to the imagination regarding her transgressions.

I gave up too...

I chose this book because it was read by Robin Miles, one of my favorite narrators and because it was set in the Caribbean but like the two previous reviewers, I had to give up. The story kept dragging and dragging - no climax, no form. Not enjoyable at all. Sorry.

A difficult book to read

I slugged through the entire book that lead me on an English history journey. I am trying to wrap my head around it.