Thom reviewed The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux
Review of 'The Mosquito Coast' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
While describing his own invention, Allie Fox says, "He's full of poison and flammable gas... those are his vital juices!" He looked at his finger stump and added, "But there's danger in all great inventions."
Charlie, his son and the narrator of this story, compares that invention to his own father's head, and that comparison rings true in this and many other ways. Allie is psychotic, and his madness drives him forward. This was not a pleasant story to read, and I find myself glad to have escaped the darkest jungle. While the descriptions and imagery were rich, the characters were fairly flat - only Charlie really grows.
I am sure I saw parts of the 1986 movie, but it didn't stick with me. I shall brave the Mosquito Coast one more time to see it, now in context.