The Polished Hoe [Paperback]

‘An unqualified masterpiece’ --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

'There is a mesmerising stillness to Austin Clarke's latest novel ... Out of a single act of retribution [he] has spun an entire history, one in which freedom, love and even languor all have their place' New York Times 'The beauty of THE POLISHED HOE lies in the poetry of its telling and the marvellous voice of Mary-Mathilda. The value of the novel lies in its patient exploration of the sacrifices that are made for the sake of survival' The Washington Post 'A richly crafted novel which eludes, defies categories; it is variously wistful and agonising, ironic and sensual; a tragic tale, relentlessly wrought' Commonwealth Prize Jury Citation A magnificent, breathtaking plunge into the secret depths of human relations ... a wonder-filled gem' Ottawa Citizen 'Austin Clarke has transcended the earlier achievements of his already illustrious career with The Polished Hoe by composing a Faulknerian evocation of the Caribbean voice, recounting a somnolent, nocturnal dialogue between a black murderess and a black constable, both of whom confront the racist horror of their own past as they divulge the secrets of both their love and their loss.' Christian Bok, Jan Geddes and Lesley Kruger, jurors for the Trillium Book Award --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

THE POLISHED HOE is an epic symphony of Caribbean life. Layers of disturbing history slowly unfold through one woman's intimate, murderous confession. Mary-Mathilda - the fair-skinned mistress of a cruel plantation manager - tells her story in an exquisite, dancing vernacular and it is the story of a life, a culture, a time gone by. But its meditation on love, loss and sacrifice, and its explorations of lives distorted by the horrors of racism are utterly contemporary. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

‘The beauty of THE POLISHED HOE lies in the poetry of its telling and the marvellous voice of Mary-Mathilda. The value of the novel lies in its patient exploration of the sacrifices that are made for the sake of survival’
The Washington Post

‘There is a mesmerising stillness to Austin Clarke’s latest novel . . . Out of a single act of retribution [he] has spun an entire history, one in which freedom, love and even languor all have their place’
New York Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Austin Clarke's novel THE POLISHED HOE is the winner of the 2003 Commonwealth Prize; the 2002 Giller Prize - Canada's most prestigious literary award; and Ontario's 2002 Trillium Book Award. Austin Clarke is also the winner of the 1999 W.O. Mitchell Prize, awarded each year to a Canadian writer who has produced an outstanding body of work and served as a mentor to other writers. Born in Barbados, Austin Clarke now lives in Toronto, and is the author of six short-story collections and ten novels. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.