The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux - first published in the UK in 1981
Allie Fox is a brilliant inventor but he is also paranoid and self obsessed. He suddenly uproots his wife and 4 children from a comfortable, if unconventional, life in rural America and without consulting them decides they are emigrating to the Honduran jungle. They settle in a remote place called Jeronimo and at first things go well. They build a house, plant crops and Allie constructs an ice making factory. Then unwittingly Allie invites some guests to stay who threaten their security. Things spiral downhill for the family after this. The story is narrated by Allie's oldest son Charlie. The book is well written but I vaguely remembered seeing the 1986 film starring Harrison Ford and so couldn't fully enjoy the story knowing that something awful was going to happen. Allie isn't a likeable character, as he never considers the needs, safety, health or opinions of his wife or children. 7/10
16th May 2012
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