The Plumed Serpent
D.H. Lawrence
1926
Around 460 pages
I was white knuckling it when I opened this book. I didn't expect a 1926 novel about Mexico written by a closeted white guy to be particularly commendable. D.H. Lawrence is a really talented writer, but it's not a perspective that's welcome in a story like this.
Kate Leslie is an Irish tourist in Mexico, visiting after the Mexican Revolution. She is reasonably revolted by a bull fight. As she leaves, she meets Don Cipriano, a Mexican general. Through Don Cipriano, she gets involved in a religious movement to drive out Christianity and replace it with the worship of Quetzalcoatl. Don Cipriano urges Kate to marry him and become a goddess. If I've learned anything from literature and movies, it's that white visitors will always be crowned royalty by natives.
Overall, this is just a messy story. Perhaps it was well-meaning, but it was also decidedly arrogant, as these white savior novels typically are. Kate was a pretty annoying character to follow, she was so indecisive and blah. Once again, I get the impression he doesn't like or understand women.
Because it's Lawrence, the writing is good, but definitely not one of his must reads.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Lawrence wanted the book to be called Quetzalcoatl but the publisher insisted on the name The Plumed Serpent. Lawrence hated it.
Received mostly negative reviews upon its release.
UP NEXT: The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek.
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