Cannibals and Missionaries

Cannibals and Missionaries presents a hostage crisis when terrorists hijack a plane carrying American art collectors and church workers bound for Iran. A group of Dutch and Arab militants takes control of the aircraft, setting in motion a tense standoff. The novel tracks the complex dynamics between captors and captives, exploring their interactions, power struggles, and shifting alliances. McCarthy details the contrasting worldviews of the wealthy art collectors and religious missionaries as they face their captors. This 1979 thriller examines fundamental questions about morality, cultural values, and the nature of belief systems. The story uses the framework of a hostage situation to probe deeper themes of ideological conflict and human behavior under extreme pressure.

Readers found McCarthy's exploration of moral dilemmas and terrorism thoughtful but struggled with the slow pacing and dense philosophical discussions. Readers appreciated: - Complex moral questions without easy answers - Details about hostage psychology - Character development between idealists and extremists - Intellectual depth of the political debates Common criticisms: - Takes too long to reach main conflict - Excessive dialogue and internal monologues - Characters come across as mouthpieces for ideas - Writing style feels detached and clinical Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (14 reviews) One reader called it "a fascinating study of human nature under pressure" while another said it was "more like reading a philosophical treatise than a thriller." Multiple reviews noted the book rewards patience but requires concentration to follow the complex moral arguments. "The payoff comes late but hits hard," wrote a Goodreads reviewer. "Getting there tests your endurance."

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🔷 The novel was published in 1979, during a period of heightened international terrorism, particularly aircraft hijackings, making it remarkably timely and relevant to contemporary events. 🔷 Mary McCarthy drew inspiration from real events, including the 1977 Dutch train hostage crisis and various Middle Eastern airline hijackings of the 1970s. 🔷 Despite being known primarily as a literary and social critic, McCarthy chose to write this political thriller after spending time in Tehran and becoming fascinated with Iranian politics pre-revolution. 🔷 The title "Cannibals and Missionaries" references a classic logic puzzle about crossing a river, symbolizing the complex moral choices and strategic thinking required in hostage situations. 🔷 The book marked a significant departure from McCarthy's usual style of social satire and academic commentary, for which she was famous through works like "The Group" (1963).