The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux

 The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux

Enticing subject, on the list of Anthony Burgess’ best books but alas, I did not enjoy it

The idea of going to live into the jungle appeals to me and I would say many other readers and I just hope that others love the book.
-          I didn’t
That says more about my idiosyncrasies than about a book that is one of the favorites of a great author.
It was also made into a movie with Harrison ford in the main role, but without much success with the critics.
In way it is odd that I did not fall for this work, which takes a family to the end or the beginning of the earth.
Not only I love the thought of going to a natural paradise, but I sort of did myself, by moving out of the capital.
Not exactly into a pristine, unspoiled environment, but still it felt like Far from the Madding Crowd and Into the Wild.
The main problem in this novel is the hero, as I see it.
He is a genius all right, but a very obnoxious one at that.
That may well be the exact requirement for a real outstanding mind-
-          Astronomical IQ and a complete lack of care for petty things like what the others might think of you, at least in general
To add insult to injury, I would say that Allie Fox, the Superman on the Coast would actually be indicted today, if what he did was not a crime back in the days when the story takes place, some decades ago.
It is also true that he considers himself not just above the rest, society and all those stupid people, but opposition to his plans is taken as confirmation that he is doing the right thing.
Nevertheless, taking your family, kids and all to a very dangerous place is not akin to murder, but it does not mean taking care of them either.
And then the things he does in the process- when he instigates the son that plays the storyteller to climb on a pole on the ship, putting his teenager sibling in danger to die in the sea appears pure madness.
But that is again part of the definition of a genius.
There are instances when the reader may fall in awe for this man who invents an ecological way to make ice, without electricity, just burning something only to bring the cold pieces at the other end, with little pollution.
On the ship that takes them to the edge of the world, a big storm is putting the lives of all on board at risk, when an aggravated circumstance of having to face the ordeal on a ship with multiple problems.
Superman or Batman takes charge in his insolent way and makes the captain agree to changes that he puts in practice and saves the day and the passengers.
In one instance the man is brilliant, only to become so insufferable the next.
I could not stand him though.
And with him there went my possible pleasure in reading about his exploits and the poor family taken to the Mosquito Coast.
There are some interesting questions and issues and I should have probably concentrated on them and the higher meaning.
For instance, a genius would be preferable to anyone else, notwithstanding his outrageous behavior if he improves the lives of a multitude, or just many people.
And our Deadpool does help natives, for whom he has a soft spot and understanding, proving him yet again complex:
-          One shortcoming is (perhaps more than) compensated by a wonderful attribute and quality

I am probably to ordinary and banal to understand, let alone like such a brilliant Batman on the Mosquito Coast.

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