Gillespie, an Irishman, goes to the Congo in 1959 in pursuit of his beautiful lover Inès, a passionate Italian journalist. Unlike her, Gillespie has no interest in the deepening independence crisis, nor in the charismatic leader, Patrice Lumumba. He has other business: this is his last chance to make love work for him.
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Amazon Review
Ronan Bennett writes screenplays for television and film as well as novels. His third book, The Catastrophist, set in the Belgian Congo during the decolonisation struggles of 1959 to 1960, imprints a cinematic vision on the reader's eye, rendering images of indolent colonials blinded by the African sun to the realities of African decolonisation and the momentum of the Congolese independence movement led by the resolute Patrice Lumumba.
James Gillespie, Irish by origin, arrives in Léopoldsville in the hope of saving his relationship with Inès Sabiani, an Italian journalist increasingly involved in central African nationalist politics. James, "the trained observer", watches dispassionately from the wings, mystified by the politics of commitment to a political cause, but desperate for personal love and commitment from Inès. She, however, is lost to him, but found to the cause of the overthrow of the colonial occupation of the Belgian Congo. The impasse at the heart of their love affair hinges upon the dilemma between the politics of belief and the role of art in society. This is summed up by the fact that while Inès uses her journalistic skills as an instrument of political struggle, James believes writing is the art of disbelief. As In&eobtuse;s remarks: "Politics of that sort demands conviction, fiction demands doubt."
The Catastrophist, justly shortlisted for the 1998 Whitbread Novel Award, is an insightful and patient study of masculine self-delusion that--even better--shows the good sense to keep it's distance from overplaying it's narrative claims to insight into In&eobtuse;s' psychology. In fact, this novel derives much of its psychological realism precisely from its depiction of the pain and confusion of a man who cannot understand why a woman can say "I am still loving you", but not be able to give up her life for him. --Rachel Holmes
Review
'A mighty achievement... vision, imagination and gravitas' (Times)
'A writer to watch, a genuine and gifted novelist' (Cole Moreton, Independent)
'As lush and sensual as ripe mangoes' (Financial Times)
'I have not read such a good thriller in years' (Ian Thomson, Evening Standard)
'Compelling... the power of this fine novel lies in its detached subtlety.... a memorable book with a ring of deeply felt authenticity' (Hugo Hamilton, Sunday Tribune)
'A writer to watch, a genuine and gifted novelist' (Cole Moreton, Independent)
'As lush and sensual as ripe mangoes' (Financial Times)
'I have not read such a good thriller in years' (Ian Thomson, Evening Standard)
'Compelling... the power of this fine novel lies in its detached subtlety.... a memorable book with a ring of deeply felt authenticity' (Hugo Hamilton, Sunday Tribune)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Bob Carroll
Format:Paperback
...the book is about a apathetic, stranger's trip to Africa in the middle of upheaval. If the book lacks nuances of African culture it is because it is about an alien looking disinterestedly into this radically, different world. The book may be dense but is a cracking read that not only entertains but also makes you consider the selfishness behind caring, intelligent people's actions when lust, trust or situation cloud their judgement. It's well worth a pick up. I haven't recommended it to one person who hasn't thanked me for it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A story of colonial mismanagenment and a true love story, beautifully written and terrifyingly real - all the characters are still with me. I was acutally involved in the evacuation of the Belgians from the Congo, acting as an interpreter for them in what was Salisbury, Rhodesia. I well rememhber the utter astonishment of the evacuees who could not believe what was happening to them, and I also remember following the disintegration of the Congo, the failure of the leaders etc, all of which is foreshadowed in this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book carefully interweaves its three elements, thriller, love story and tradgey and its central themes love, commitment (political and personal) and betrayal (political and personal). Its is commited but not preaching. Its prose is lyrical and evocative and its plot convincing. The historical period is a fascintating one and is brought to life. The role of the CIA in the killing of Patrice Lummumba Congolose nationalist leader is not as well known as it should be but although this is one focus of the book the centre piece is the love affair between James Giiispie and Ines Sabani and this is brough to life with insight and raw emotion. I took this book on holiday and had to finish it in one sitting. It throughly deserved the praise and awards. My only criticism would relate to the African characters who are well described but their inner thoughts are not adressed and the main perspective is of the Europeans. Having said that the racism of colonial rule and european attitudes is brilllantly crystallised I can also recommend Ronan Bennets other book The Second Prison the best fictional account of the war in Northern Ireland i have ever read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love and Revolution
The novel is set in the Congo in 1959-60. It recounts the rise and fall of Patrice Lumumba, portrayed as a genuine liberationist whose doom was perhaps inevitable in such a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by gerardpeter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding Novel
Clearly the overtones of Conrad and Graham Greene are very pertinent, but personally I am surprized more reviewers did not perceive the tensions of the Northern Ireland conflict. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. G. Lee
3.0 out of 5 stars
not overly impressed
I picked this book up expecting great things, and in terms of the descriptive passages, was not disappointed. However I found the charactes somewhat boring. Read more
Published on 22 May 2011 by kublakat
2.0 out of 5 stars
self-obsession
This book needs a good ediitor because it doesn't come alive until half way through. The "hero" is utterly self-obsessed and humourless and engaged in a dysfuncrional love afffair... Read more
Published on 4 April 2010 by Barrie J. Clement
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful, passionate, intense
This is a book which very successfully merges the story of an intensely erotic love affair with events in The Congo when Belgian colonialism came to an end. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2009 by Eileen Shaw
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overly introspective
Despite its fascinating setting - both geographical and historical - The Catastrophist manages to be tediously introspective, wallowing in the boring lovesickness of its lacklustre... Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by BookWorm
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Catastrophist
Ronan Bennett writes in a very fast moving style, creating his characters with clarity, grit and conviction. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by Jac Aranda
3.0 out of 5 stars
slightly disappointing
This is an OK book, with some nice (but not brilliant) writing, but ultimately its a disappointment. Read more
Published on 1 May 2009 by David
4.0 out of 5 stars
"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of...
On June 30, 1960, the Congo was emancipated from Belgium. African nationalist leader Patrice Emery Lumumba became the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo... Read more
Published on 1 May 2006 by Jana L. Perskie
5.0 out of 5 stars
A flawed novel...so much the better!
I picked this up having enjoyed the marvellous 'Havoc in its Third Year' and was not disappointed. This novel has flaws and they are part of what makes its success. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2005
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