At Play in the Fields of the Lord

By: Peter Matthiessen

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

In a malarial outpost in the South American rain forest, two misplaced gringos converge and clash. Martin Quarrier has come to convert the fearful and elusive Niaruna Indians to his brand of Christianity. Lewis Moon, a stateless mercenary who is himself part Indian, has come to kill them on the behalf of the local comandante. Out of their struggle Peter Matthiessen has created an electrifying moral thriller, a novel of Conradian richness that explores both the varieties of spiritual experience and the politics of cultural genocide.©1956 Peter Matthiessen (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Matthiessen has produced, in expertly crafted and sometimes deeply affecting prose, an entertainment full of glittering color, nose-to-nose conflict and heroic gestures." ( Washington Post Book World)
"Inventive and extremely well-written...incredibly moving and disturbing...a remarkable performance." - ( San Francisco Chronicle)
"Coarse, brutal, and elementally powerful....It revives one's faith in the future of fiction." ( Chicago Tribune)

I'm confused about the award-winning author part

I really loved this story. However I am confused to learn that Peter Matheson is an award-winning author and former CIA spy. lol. Some of the writing in this book is the best I've ever read. And some is quite terrible. There's lots of writing in this book which goes stream of consciousness and the lack of transition and structure does not connect. I know he's trying to be artistic but I kind of think he was doing too many drugs or something when he tried it. Still a worthwhile read, showing both the blessings and curses of poorly done Mission work, and how the ministry that gets noticed and impresses people it's often the ministry that's destructive. Conversely, the person that honestly shows Jesus is often unpopular.

Solid read

I felt the was a bit slow towards the end, but still worth the listen.

Narrator

Very difficult to understand Ruined the book for me. I am disappointed. Refund my point please.

Great book!

I really liked the language used in this book. You could tell it was written in the sixties, and it helped put you into the world of these characters. It felt like one of those old black and white movies you just happen to stumble across on a Sunday afternoon and found yourself totally engrossed in. highly recommend... if your into that sort of thing.

so boring

ive been listening for hours and I seriously have no clue to what is going on. it's so slow.... slow slow