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Beyond the Rice Fields
The first novel from Madagascar ever to be translated into English, Naivo’s magisterial Beyond the Rice Fields delves into the upheavals of the nation’s past as it confronted Christianity and modernity, through the twin narratives of a slave and his master’s daughter.
Fara and her father’s slave, Tsito, have been close since her father bought the boy after his forest village was destroyed. Now in Sahasoa, amongst the cattle and rice fields, everything is new for Tsito, and Fara at last has a companion. But as Tsito looks forward to the bright promise of freedom and Fara, backward to a dark, long-denied family history, a rift opens between them just as British Christian missionaries and French industrialists arrive and violence erupts across the country. Love and innocence fall away, and Tsito and Fara’s world becomes enveloped by tyranny, superstition, and fear.
With captivating lyricism, propulsive urgency, and two unforgettable characters at the story’s core, Naivo unflinchingly delves into the brutal history of nineteenth-century Madagascar. Beyond the Rice Fields is a tour de force that has much to teach us about human bondage and the stories we tell to face—and hide from—ourselves, each other, our pasts, and our destinies.
Fara and her father’s slave, Tsito, have been close since her father bought the boy after his forest village was destroyed. Now in Sahasoa, amongst the cattle and rice fields, everything is new for Tsito, and Fara at last has a companion. But as Tsito looks forward to the bright promise of freedom and Fara, backward to a dark, long-denied family history, a rift opens between them just as British Christian missionaries and French industrialists arrive and violence erupts across the country. Love and innocence fall away, and Tsito and Fara’s world becomes enveloped by tyranny, superstition, and fear.
With captivating lyricism, propulsive urgency, and two unforgettable characters at the story’s core, Naivo unflinchingly delves into the brutal history of nineteenth-century Madagascar. Beyond the Rice Fields is a tour de force that has much to teach us about human bondage and the stories we tell to face—and hide from—ourselves, each other, our pasts, and our destinies.
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First published November 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
February 11, 2018
Full review here. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
The most important detail about this book is it's the first book from Madagascar to be translated into English. Just think about that for a moment. The first book from Madagascar to be translated into English. I find it unlikely it's the first book to ever be published in Madagascar, so it's strange to me that in 2017 English readers are only now getting to read a Malagasy novel.
This powerful novel follows the lives of Fara and Tsito, her father's slave, from their childhood through their adult lives. It's the 19th century in Madagascar, during a time of political terror and violence as Christian missionaries from Britain and French industrialists arrive. The bond Fara and Tsito formed as children is broken as their lives are taken down different paths, yet they remain connected spiritually, never forgetting each other.
There's room here for a lot of wonderfully written passages, but I found most of them mostly devoid of emotion or connection. The period of Queen Ranavalona's reign appears, historically, to be an intense time, and yet except for some occasions near the end of the book, I felt much of the discussion was superficial at best. Or perhaps the politics and history is too complex, and my knowledge of the events too minimal to fully grasp Naivo's writing.
This is Naivo's first novel and I do look forward to reading more by him. This is by far more skillfully written than many debut novels.
The most important detail about this book is it's the first book from Madagascar to be translated into English. Just think about that for a moment. The first book from Madagascar to be translated into English. I find it unlikely it's the first book to ever be published in Madagascar, so it's strange to me that in 2017 English readers are only now getting to read a Malagasy novel.
This powerful novel follows the lives of Fara and Tsito, her father's slave, from their childhood through their adult lives. It's the 19th century in Madagascar, during a time of political terror and violence as Christian missionaries from Britain and French industrialists arrive. The bond Fara and Tsito formed as children is broken as their lives are taken down different paths, yet they remain connected spiritually, never forgetting each other.
There's room here for a lot of wonderfully written passages, but I found most of them mostly devoid of emotion or connection. The period of Queen Ranavalona's reign appears, historically, to be an intense time, and yet except for some occasions near the end of the book, I felt much of the discussion was superficial at best. Or perhaps the politics and history is too complex, and my knowledge of the events too minimal to fully grasp Naivo's writing.
This is Naivo's first novel and I do look forward to reading more by him. This is by far more skillfully written than many debut novels.
January 15, 2018
This story is so original and that, in and of itself, is very refreshing. I found the two narratives of Fara and Tsito compelling and their perspectives unusual and innovative. They struggle through life's obstacles but I felt the storytelling about their lives was new and pushed my expectations and experiences beyond what I have read in other books. I was truly invigorated by this author and how he crafted this book.
There is intrigue and a few mysteries that are confronted and uncovered. But wow -- with an intricate plotting and many "new" elements or new approaches to story elements, this book took me to a different time and a different place. I was engrossed by these characters and what they went though. This read was so immersive.
This book is touted as the first from Madagascar to be translated into English from the original French; the author is a Madagascar native and writes in French. I believe Naivo is a ethnocultural and linguistic native to Madagascar and thus provides an insider's touch. And because he writes in French (and English), he has already helped bridge some of the linguistic gaps.
Here's a link to an interview with the translator: https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2017/a...
There is intrigue and a few mysteries that are confronted and uncovered. But wow -- with an intricate plotting and many "new" elements or new approaches to story elements, this book took me to a different time and a different place. I was engrossed by these characters and what they went though. This read was so immersive.
This book is touted as the first from Madagascar to be translated into English from the original French; the author is a Madagascar native and writes in French. I believe Naivo is a ethnocultural and linguistic native to Madagascar and thus provides an insider's touch. And because he writes in French (and English), he has already helped bridge some of the linguistic gaps.
Here's a link to an interview with the translator: https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2017/a...
April 3, 2018
Madagascar, early to mid 1800s. The traditional ways are being challenged by European ways and Christianity. There is confusion as to which way the wind will blow and many lose their lives to purges.
The story is narrated alternately by Fara and her childhood companion Tsito who was a slave. Their voices are quite captivating and unique. Their relationship is mostly a backdrop to the culture, power plays, "trials" and deaths occurring. There is a love story here but this is not what makes the book. Rather it is the depiction of the actions of the Queen in trying to maintain her godlike control, the fear of the new religion and the changes coming from Western technology and education. It is an unusual and quite fascinating tale.
One highlight. I've not come across the system of trials they used before. The "trials" of suspected Christians or rebels consisted of swallowing three pieces of bird skin, taking a poison followed by a rice brew. If you regurgitate the three skins without vomiting, having tremors or dying from the poison then you are innocent.
The story is narrated alternately by Fara and her childhood companion Tsito who was a slave. Their voices are quite captivating and unique. Their relationship is mostly a backdrop to the culture, power plays, "trials" and deaths occurring. There is a love story here but this is not what makes the book. Rather it is the depiction of the actions of the Queen in trying to maintain her godlike control, the fear of the new religion and the changes coming from Western technology and education. It is an unusual and quite fascinating tale.
One highlight. I've not come across the system of trials they used before. The "trials" of suspected Christians or rebels consisted of swallowing three pieces of bird skin, taking a poison followed by a rice brew. If you regurgitate the three skins without vomiting, having tremors or dying from the poison then you are innocent.
April 22, 2019
3.5 stars
This book is celebrated for being the first novel from Madagascar translated into English (though it was written in French originally, not a large or unusual gap to jump). It is also the author’s first novel, and I would be interested to see what he does next, though I wasn’t thrilled with this one.
Beyond the Rice Fields is, ultimately, a novel about the mass purges and killings carried out by the Imerina queen in Madagascar in the mid-19th century, though it takes a long time to get there. First we follow our two protagonists – Tsito, a boy who is sold as a slave at a young age, and Fara, a girl whose family buys him for household help – through their childhoods and much of their adult lives. We read about their childhood games, their schooling, Tsito’s career as a craftsman, Fara’s triumph as a dancer and anticlimactic life afterwards, their local lord and his downfall, and their interactions with various other people around them, all of which goes on without much plot for more than half the book. It’s only in the last third – a point at which many readers are likely to have given up – that it becomes intense. And suddenly it’s a page-turner, albeit a dark and tragic one. If it had handled all the setup more quickly, my rating would be a solid 4 stars.
But then, plotting issues often aren’t entirely about plot, and here I suspect someone from the culture would have a much better experience with the book. Tsito’s and Fara’s personalities don’t quite seem compelling to me, but I don’t know the cultural background behind them. And their narrative voices actually are somewhat distinct, which is impressive, especially in translation. The book certainly feels textured and authentic in a way that an outsider can’t entirely appreciate. You can tell it was written for a native audience, though it’s still comprehensible to an outsider (and I love the Malagasy names and words sprinkled throughout. Speaking of which, the translator and publishers did a fantastic job with not only a glossary of both words and names, but a quick chronology of relevant monarchs). And looking back, I can see how some things were set up, but I also no doubt missed a lot by not knowing how this history was treated before.
At any rate, this is a decent book, a great choice if you are interested in Madagascar, but not one I’m likely to recommend to a casual reader.
This book is celebrated for being the first novel from Madagascar translated into English (though it was written in French originally, not a large or unusual gap to jump). It is also the author’s first novel, and I would be interested to see what he does next, though I wasn’t thrilled with this one.
Beyond the Rice Fields is, ultimately, a novel about the mass purges and killings carried out by the Imerina queen in Madagascar in the mid-19th century, though it takes a long time to get there. First we follow our two protagonists – Tsito, a boy who is sold as a slave at a young age, and Fara, a girl whose family buys him for household help – through their childhoods and much of their adult lives. We read about their childhood games, their schooling, Tsito’s career as a craftsman, Fara’s triumph as a dancer and anticlimactic life afterwards, their local lord and his downfall, and their interactions with various other people around them, all of which goes on without much plot for more than half the book. It’s only in the last third – a point at which many readers are likely to have given up – that it becomes intense. And suddenly it’s a page-turner, albeit a dark and tragic one. If it had handled all the setup more quickly, my rating would be a solid 4 stars.
But then, plotting issues often aren’t entirely about plot, and here I suspect someone from the culture would have a much better experience with the book. Tsito’s and Fara’s personalities don’t quite seem compelling to me, but I don’t know the cultural background behind them. And their narrative voices actually are somewhat distinct, which is impressive, especially in translation. The book certainly feels textured and authentic in a way that an outsider can’t entirely appreciate. You can tell it was written for a native audience, though it’s still comprehensible to an outsider (and I love the Malagasy names and words sprinkled throughout. Speaking of which, the translator and publishers did a fantastic job with not only a glossary of both words and names, but a quick chronology of relevant monarchs). And looking back, I can see how some things were set up, but I also no doubt missed a lot by not knowing how this history was treated before.
At any rate, this is a decent book, a great choice if you are interested in Madagascar, but not one I’m likely to recommend to a casual reader.
July 9, 2022
I remember when I first joined GR in 2012, I tried to find a book similar to Isabel Allende’s Island Beneath the Sea (historical fiction) set in Madagascar. Nothing. I wanted to read something about Madagascar because it's a fascinating island, but all I found back then were non-fiction travel books.
So, you can imagine how glad I was to find out about this book! Many people have noted that this is the first Madagascar book translated into English. However, the original novel was written in French and the native language of Madagascar is Malagasy (French is just an official language, a colonial legacy). I know I sound nitpicky. The writing of the novel wasn't great and the story was quite predictable but I was just happy to read a story set in Madagascar.
This novel revolves around the lives of Tsito and Fara in the first half of the 19th century (everything takes place before French colonization). Tsito is a slave boy, who was bought by Fara's father and given to Fara, her mom and her grandmother as a "gift". They grow up together in the country side but Fara has dreams of living in the City of Thousands (Antananarivo). Tsito falls in love with Fara but is unable to express his feelings to her because he is a slave. Instead, he works hard to learn different skills and hopes to buy his freedom one day. In the meantime, the island is undergoing a lot of change. The British missionaries have spread the idea of Christianity which challenges traditional beliefs in the ancestors. The missionaries also teach reading and writing. Queen Ranavalona I has taken over the throne after her husband died of alcohol abuse and a reign of terror is about to begin.
I have to say I really enjoyed the cultural elements mentioned in this book. The characters use a lot of proverbs when speaking to each other and you can tell that they harbor a deep respect for the ancestors. Unfortunately, I didn't really quite understand why they came to revere royalty so much. When I saw a photo of Queen Ranavalona I, I couldn't help but think that she looks so westernized in Western clothing, even though she wasn't a fan of Christianity. There was a purge of enemies to the royal house and it included Christians but also many innocent civilians. To decide whether one was loyal to the Queen or not, one had to undergo a tangena ordeal which is one of the strangest things I’ve ever heard of. The purge sounded so insane, it kind of reminded me of China's Cultural Revolution.
Other than that, I was also surprised to read about the gender relations in this book. Women were really free to have romantic relationships with different men, or was Fara's mum the exception? The characters slept around without getting married, which I guess made the missionaries view them as sinful. There was a lot of political talk in this novel, especially in Tsito's chapters. Even before French colonization, the societal and political structure in Madagascar was already quite intricate and full of conspiracy to gain power over others. In the end, the real hero of the novel was the commoner ("Yet Voahangy had not abandoned all hope. This washwoman was like our people's very soul: tenacious, big-hearted and merciful."). I also enjoyed the legend of the volcano called Tritriva.
"Yet Voahangy had not abandoned all hope. This washwoman was like our people's very soul: tenacious, big-hearted and merciful."
I also enjoyed the legend of the volcano called Tritriva.
So, you can imagine how glad I was to find out about this book! Many people have noted that this is the first Madagascar book translated into English. However, the original novel was written in French and the native language of Madagascar is Malagasy (French is just an official language, a colonial legacy). I know I sound nitpicky. The writing of the novel wasn't great and the story was quite predictable but I was just happy to read a story set in Madagascar.
This novel revolves around the lives of Tsito and Fara in the first half of the 19th century (everything takes place before French colonization). Tsito is a slave boy, who was bought by Fara's father and given to Fara, her mom and her grandmother as a "gift". They grow up together in the country side but Fara has dreams of living in the City of Thousands (Antananarivo). Tsito falls in love with Fara but is unable to express his feelings to her because he is a slave. Instead, he works hard to learn different skills and hopes to buy his freedom one day. In the meantime, the island is undergoing a lot of change. The British missionaries have spread the idea of Christianity which challenges traditional beliefs in the ancestors. The missionaries also teach reading and writing. Queen Ranavalona I has taken over the throne after her husband died of alcohol abuse and a reign of terror is about to begin.
I have to say I really enjoyed the cultural elements mentioned in this book. The characters use a lot of proverbs when speaking to each other and you can tell that they harbor a deep respect for the ancestors. Unfortunately, I didn't really quite understand why they came to revere royalty so much. When I saw a photo of Queen Ranavalona I, I couldn't help but think that she looks so westernized in Western clothing, even though she wasn't a fan of Christianity. There was a purge of enemies to the royal house and it included Christians but also many innocent civilians. To decide whether one was loyal to the Queen or not, one had to undergo a tangena ordeal which is one of the strangest things I’ve ever heard of. The purge sounded so insane, it kind of reminded me of China's Cultural Revolution.
Other than that, I was also surprised to read about the gender relations in this book. Women were really free to have romantic relationships with different men, or was Fara's mum the exception? The characters slept around without getting married, which I guess made the missionaries view them as sinful. There was a lot of political talk in this novel, especially in Tsito's chapters. Even before French colonization, the societal and political structure in Madagascar was already quite intricate and full of conspiracy to gain power over others. In the end, the real hero of the novel was the commoner ("Yet Voahangy had not abandoned all hope. This washwoman was like our people's very soul: tenacious, big-hearted and merciful."). I also enjoyed the legend of the volcano called Tritriva.
"Yet Voahangy had not abandoned all hope. This washwoman was like our people's very soul: tenacious, big-hearted and merciful."
I also enjoyed the legend of the volcano called Tritriva.
August 2, 2023
Beyond the Rice Fields by Naivo is the first novel from Madagascar translated into English. It takes place in 19th century Madagascar, a place that has intrigued and fascinated me for years. Reading this beautiful but terrifying story that was at once a coming of age story, top notch historical fiction, and a love story set against the backdrop of endless conflict was deeply satisfying. This is the story of clan vs. clan, where the winners take the spoils, including the unfortunate defeated as slaves. It is the story of the rise to power of Queen Ranavalona I and her conflict with the white Christian missionaries and their devoted converts. She delivers “justice” to her subjects in the form of the tangena, a practice which is neither fair nor just and can only be compared to the Salem witch trials in an attempt to understand. One of the most memorable scenes was when the sovereign queen beheads a group of white Christian missionaries and displays their heads on pikes facing the ocean as a warning for anyone who dares to cross her in the future. This book is impossible to classify, as it was many things, but the story that kept me going was the love story between Fara and Tsito, the slave who falls hard for Fara and the love that grows between them from their childhood and throughout the rest of their lives. The world Naivo paints for us is sublime, where one small mistake or error in judgment can mean sure and sudden death. Are Fara and Tsito star-crossed lovers in this world fraught with endless war, conflict, torture, and death, and can their love survive it? Read and find out. I highly recommend this one.
June 3, 2023
Trigger warnings: death, slavery, war, religious persecution, violence, death of a child, vomit
3.5 stars
I picked this one up on audio purely for my Read Around the World challenge - it's set in Madagascar - and I left feeling like I need to do a lot more reading on Madagascar's history. It's essentially an examination of the way that colonisation and Christianisation impacted Madagascar through the eyes of two children through to their adulthood.
It's definitely not an easy read, and there were probably a few chapters where I zoned out a little more than I should have because the jump from child to adult seemed a tad abrupt at times. But I really liked the characters, and the last 20% was utterly gripping and extremely tense.
3.5 stars
I picked this one up on audio purely for my Read Around the World challenge - it's set in Madagascar - and I left feeling like I need to do a lot more reading on Madagascar's history. It's essentially an examination of the way that colonisation and Christianisation impacted Madagascar through the eyes of two children through to their adulthood.
It's definitely not an easy read, and there were probably a few chapters where I zoned out a little more than I should have because the jump from child to adult seemed a tad abrupt at times. But I really liked the characters, and the last 20% was utterly gripping and extremely tense.
July 26, 2024
Read Around the World: Madagascar
August 31, 2024
Naivo’s Beyond the Rice Fields (translated by Allison M. Charette) took me to a place I’ve never been before in fiction: nineteenth-century Madagascar. The novel follows the trials and tribulations of Tsito, a slave turned craftsman, and Fara, a villager who always wanted to be rich, as they get caught up against Queen Ranavalona I‘s attempts to restore pre-encounter traditions and beliefs...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for review consideration.
April 28, 2022
If you are reading your way around the world or Africa, this is an exceptional choice for Madagascar. But it's a difficult book to read. The subject matter is pretty dark and there is a large cast of characters to follow and remember. I read the book slowly over a couple of months (very different from my usual reading style) because it was more brainwork than a typical novel, for me.
January 1, 2021
My relationship with Tsito, both old and new, became as strong as the bond between water and rice: inseparable in the fields and companions in the city. I felt as if life had extended its arms out to me again, and I was grateful to Tsito for it. His presence renewed my strength and reminded me of the security of my childhood.
July 3, 2024
Devastatingly and brutally beautiful.
August 16, 2018
I knew from the start of this book that it would be a page-turner. I could not put it down. The entire book was absolutely fascinating. The story is set in 19th century Madagascar, a country totally unfamiliar to me. Through the story and characters, one gets a feeling for the culture. But what I liked most was the historical narrative – which is apparently true. The queen of Madagascar at that time, Ranavalona, is infamous for her paranoia and persecution of her people. I read separately that almost half the population perished in her purges. The book has everything – primitive culture, enslavement of one’s own people, Inquisition-like ordeals, Salem witch trials, feudalism, colonialism, Christian missionaries. There is even a Butch-Cassidy-like showdown (Rado, trapped in a hamlet, surrounding by columns of troops). There were perhaps a few too many coincidences at the book’s climax, but the story was so enthralling that I didn’t care. It was both a great read and an education.
February 20, 2020
This is the first novel from Madagascar to be translated into English, which sounded like a potentially interesting read. Really interesting historical and cultural stuff about a setting I knew very little about (early 19th-century Madagascar), but the plotting and characterization were pretty uneven, I thought. The book demands a lot of the reader, and I wasn't always able to give it. (In particular, there are numerous minor characters with similar names who vanish for a hundred pages or more and then reappear without context clues to help me remember which one they are.) Some aspects of this were really compelling, other pieces just didn't quite land.
June 21, 2021
This book is a fascinating source of information about a country and a time period that was previously unknown to me. And part 5 was very exciting. However, I can’t give this book four stars, because it’s badly flawed. It’s too long, Fara and Tsito are uninteresting characters, the author fails to convince me that they love each other, and the plot doesn’t get interesting until near the end.
March 6, 2019
This story is mainly about two people - Fara and her father's slave, Tsito. They have been close ever since they were children. Tsito came to the family when his village was destroyed. Fara is glad to have a companion and Tsito feels he must always protect her. There lives entertwine, even after Tsito leaves her father's service and Fara grows up and falls in love with another. They always find their way back to each other - drawn by familiarity and then love.
However, their lives are torn apart by tyranny, and superstition. Fara's mother is brought to trial for being a witch. All people in the area who claim themselves to be Chrisitan are sentenced to renoucne their religion, or die. While Fara and Tsito are not Christians, they find themselves caught up in the fear and superstition of the reigning family and are not sure they can escape death.
This was an interesting read. I say that because I think the Kindle translation was poor. I have ordered the book to add to my Read The World shelf, and I am interested to see the differences. I am sure for the most part it will be accurate, but the Kindle addition kept calling Christ "Kristy". So it had some errors.
The story is wild, with many twists and turns. Fara and Tsito grow up in this book - quickly in the 360 pages. It is not an easy read - it took a lot of concentration to get through it, but it was worth it. There are many, MANY characters - a lot of them with very long, very similar names, so you need to been on your game to keep it all straight.
I am glad I read it. There is one really great quote in the book that I think is worth sharing:
"Love is like rice, when you transplant it, it grows, but never in the same way. It retains a bittersweet memory of its first soils. Every time it’s uprooted it dies a little; every time it’s replanted, it loses a piece of its soil. But it also bears fruit"
However, their lives are torn apart by tyranny, and superstition. Fara's mother is brought to trial for being a witch. All people in the area who claim themselves to be Chrisitan are sentenced to renoucne their religion, or die. While Fara and Tsito are not Christians, they find themselves caught up in the fear and superstition of the reigning family and are not sure they can escape death.
This was an interesting read. I say that because I think the Kindle translation was poor. I have ordered the book to add to my Read The World shelf, and I am interested to see the differences. I am sure for the most part it will be accurate, but the Kindle addition kept calling Christ "Kristy". So it had some errors.
The story is wild, with many twists and turns. Fara and Tsito grow up in this book - quickly in the 360 pages. It is not an easy read - it took a lot of concentration to get through it, but it was worth it. There are many, MANY characters - a lot of them with very long, very similar names, so you need to been on your game to keep it all straight.
I am glad I read it. There is one really great quote in the book that I think is worth sharing:
"Love is like rice, when you transplant it, it grows, but never in the same way. It retains a bittersweet memory of its first soils. Every time it’s uprooted it dies a little; every time it’s replanted, it loses a piece of its soil. But it also bears fruit"
November 10, 2025
I don’t really know how to explain this book. I am utterly devastated by it. My heart is broken. I didn’t finish this book, it finished me. I’m speechless.
It’s very well written, if quite dense. It does require a lot from the reader with so much Malagasy history and culture that doesn’t pander to an English speaking audience, though there is a glossary which was helpful. Not to mention two thirds of the character names started with the same four letters. But once I took a Wikipedia deep dive on Madagascar in general and the reign of Ranavalona I more specifically, I was a lot more prepared in understanding the context.
They say the past is a foreign country, well layer on top of that a real foreign-to-me country’s past history and this book felt like fantasy, but in the best possible way. I’m ashamed to admit that my only knowledge of Madagascar came from a PBS kids show and an animated movie of the same name, which is what comes up first when you search Madagascar in google. So when I tell you this culture felt so completely foreign to me, I mean I honestly didn’t know anything about it. For all my brain knew, I really could have been reading a fantasy novel. But it’s all real, and it is so utterly beautiful and unique. The naming traditions and the religion and the descriptions of the rice terraces and their language and their folklore, their poetry and their industry. Naivo had me in awe.
And then add on top of that the story he gave us, and this book was just incredible. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year for sure. It’s one of the best depictions of the devastating effects of colonialism in real time that I’ve ever read.
It’s very well written, if quite dense. It does require a lot from the reader with so much Malagasy history and culture that doesn’t pander to an English speaking audience, though there is a glossary which was helpful. Not to mention two thirds of the character names started with the same four letters. But once I took a Wikipedia deep dive on Madagascar in general and the reign of Ranavalona I more specifically, I was a lot more prepared in understanding the context.
They say the past is a foreign country, well layer on top of that a real foreign-to-me country’s past history and this book felt like fantasy, but in the best possible way. I’m ashamed to admit that my only knowledge of Madagascar came from a PBS kids show and an animated movie of the same name, which is what comes up first when you search Madagascar in google. So when I tell you this culture felt so completely foreign to me, I mean I honestly didn’t know anything about it. For all my brain knew, I really could have been reading a fantasy novel. But it’s all real, and it is so utterly beautiful and unique. The naming traditions and the religion and the descriptions of the rice terraces and their language and their folklore, their poetry and their industry. Naivo had me in awe.
And then add on top of that the story he gave us, and this book was just incredible. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year for sure. It’s one of the best depictions of the devastating effects of colonialism in real time that I’ve ever read.
May 21, 2023
#ReadAroundTheWorld. #Madagascar
"Love is like rice, when you transplant it, it grows, but never in the same way. It retains a bittersweet memory of its first soils. Every time it’s uprooted it dies a little; every time it’s replanted, it loses a piece of its soil. But it also bears fruit"
Beyond the Rice Fields is the first book from Madagascar to be translated into English, although this is from French, not the native Malagasy, so I’m not sure why this took so long. The story is set in the village of Sahasoa and the City of Thousands (Antananarivo), in Madagascar, in the early to mid 19th century before French colonization, during the reign of Queen Ranavalona I (1828-1861). The Queen defended her empire against foreign influence and protected the traditional ways. She also persecuted those of the Malagasy that had converted to Christianity with widespread trials by poisoning, the “tangena ordeal,” in which the accused had to swallow three pieces of bird skin and the tangena poison, if they did not vomit up the three pieces or died, they were considered guilty. During her reign, due to the mass purges and killings, warfare and disease, the population of Madagascar was reduced from 5 million in 1833 to 2.5 million in 1839.
The story is about Tsito whose village is destroyed and becomes a slave to a zebu hunter Rama. Tsito falls in love with Fara, Rama’s only daughter, but she believes she is above him as he is a slave. The story takes us through tales of colonialism, the battles between Christianity and the old religion, witchcraft, drama and romance. My favourite character was Fara’s feisty grandmother Bebe.
Despite the interesting cultural and historical background, it was not an easy read. Much of the first two thirds of the book seem to drag along and lack direction. The last third became much more gripping and intense. 3 stars for me.
"Love is like rice, when you transplant it, it grows, but never in the same way. It retains a bittersweet memory of its first soils. Every time it’s uprooted it dies a little; every time it’s replanted, it loses a piece of its soil. But it also bears fruit"
Beyond the Rice Fields is the first book from Madagascar to be translated into English, although this is from French, not the native Malagasy, so I’m not sure why this took so long. The story is set in the village of Sahasoa and the City of Thousands (Antananarivo), in Madagascar, in the early to mid 19th century before French colonization, during the reign of Queen Ranavalona I (1828-1861). The Queen defended her empire against foreign influence and protected the traditional ways. She also persecuted those of the Malagasy that had converted to Christianity with widespread trials by poisoning, the “tangena ordeal,” in which the accused had to swallow three pieces of bird skin and the tangena poison, if they did not vomit up the three pieces or died, they were considered guilty. During her reign, due to the mass purges and killings, warfare and disease, the population of Madagascar was reduced from 5 million in 1833 to 2.5 million in 1839.
The story is about Tsito whose village is destroyed and becomes a slave to a zebu hunter Rama. Tsito falls in love with Fara, Rama’s only daughter, but she believes she is above him as he is a slave. The story takes us through tales of colonialism, the battles between Christianity and the old religion, witchcraft, drama and romance. My favourite character was Fara’s feisty grandmother Bebe.
Despite the interesting cultural and historical background, it was not an easy read. Much of the first two thirds of the book seem to drag along and lack direction. The last third became much more gripping and intense. 3 stars for me.
June 26, 2022
This was an excellent book! Said to be the first book from a Malagasy author to be translated into English (apparently translated mostly from French), I honestly didn't know what to expect from it. It's historical fiction set primarily from the point-of-view of a recently enslaved boy on the outskirts of Madagascar's central highlands province during one of the most volatile times in Madagascar's recorded history. It starts off very pastoral in focus, with a similarly narrow consideration and context of the world. But as the story progresses and the boy grows older and experiences more of Madagascar and the world, so too does the viewpoint and understanding of context grow and the plot becomes increasingly dynamic. Overall the tone is one of tragedy, but with so many moments of beauty and hope interspersed between.
I believe this is a must read for any English-speaking person who desires to spend time living and working in Madagascar and interacting with Malagasy people. This book can provide invaluable insight into the traditional Malagasy worldview and the historical forces that have formed the nation as it is today. And it does it all through a beautifully poignant story that will keep you at the edge of your seat rooting for the main characters.
One of the most effective aspects of the book is viewing "vazaha" (white foreigners) from the local perspective, whether they're Christians, or politicians, or even one random crazy guy. Being able to see ourselves from outside ourselves (particularly within a cross-cultural context) is a rare gift, one that should both humble and inform us, making our efforts and our relationships more nuanced and effective.
Another thing I found fascinating was how so much of the book's plot and action revolves around responses to Christianity, all while the main characters are not Christians nor ever seriously consider Christianity. The author does an incredible job of walking that thin edge of the knife - both showing how Christianity is a foreign and disturbing influence in traditional Malagasy life, so volatile as to lead to intense violence for adherents and those near to them; while also describing Christian characters who sincerely and self-sacrificially live out their faith and influence at least some positive change within their strictly traditional broader culture. Taking the distant viewpoint on this is much to the advantage of the author, because he's able to show the massively varied responses to Christianity that Malagasy people have, while also showing the majority take the traditional Malagasy highlander approach of preferring to simply watch passively from a distance and not upset the status quo, without regard to internal conviction. I've rarely seen Christian influence in foreign countries handled with such nuance and (as it appears to me) objective representation. Whereas most of our Western authors either love Christianity or despise it, Naivo tremendously succeeds in simply showing it as it is and has been, within its greater cultural and social contexts - all thanks to his narrative viewpoint being that of an authentic low-class native person rather than a power-wielding Westerner.
As mentioned above, the overall tone of this book is tragic. The plot takes numerous twists and turns that keep it fascinating, many moments leaving the reader thinking the main character's hopes and dreams are about to be so satisfyingly fulfilled, only to introduce some new obstacle that further delays or distances us from our hopes, and then to slowly draw them nearer again, and to repeat this cycle. In short, there are a lot of emotional ups and downs and it made me dig ever deeper into this book and to root all the more strongly for its main characters.
But the tragic nature maintained through to the end, passing through some moments of misery that I never could've expected from the beginning. The author seems to have portrayed Malagasy tradition and worldview as facilitating moments of intense brutality that probably most people would rather have pushed down in their national conscience. It really left me wondering what the author's overall perception of Malagasy traditional culture is. The pastoral scenes were beautiful and some other characters even make statements as such. This too is Malagasy. But the way the people passively and fatalistically accepted the brutality of their sovereigns, and even joined these power plays in ways that destroyed SO MANY lives of their own people - it was just heartbreaking.
Considering this all happened in the context of relatively new Western world influence (and what we know of the history that followed), I felt like Naivo was making a statement (consciously or subconsciously): that Malagasy traditional culture is self-destructively proud, and lacking the stability necessary to remain whole in the face of external influences of political power and new religious ideology and practice. And maybe that's how Naivo truly feels, but as a Malagasy person, maybe it also feels like a grand tragedy. Which is what the tone and plot of the book was. If so, it was incredibly well done, as I always love a book whose plot and tone fits the underlying message being conveyed - one grand work of art with a cohesive conveyance of a primary idea, but one too complex and nuanced to be summarized as simply as I tried to do above, and yet still shining through beautifully in this beautifully tragic narrative.
This is an excellent piece of literature. And as the first Malagasy book chosen to be translated into English, I hope it sets the stage for plenty more books to come - hopefully those to follow will continue to share in this book's incredible qualities. I encourage anyone to read it! And if you've ever been to Madagascar and know some (or a lot) of Malagasy language and current Malagasy cultural worldview, then you'll enjoy this all the more. (As a final note, some of the Malagasy words that remain untranslated in the book might be a challenge for readers who are completely unfamiliar with them - though there is a nice glossary in the back that you can refer to regularly to help you understand what's being said.)
I believe this is a must read for any English-speaking person who desires to spend time living and working in Madagascar and interacting with Malagasy people. This book can provide invaluable insight into the traditional Malagasy worldview and the historical forces that have formed the nation as it is today. And it does it all through a beautifully poignant story that will keep you at the edge of your seat rooting for the main characters.
One of the most effective aspects of the book is viewing "vazaha" (white foreigners) from the local perspective, whether they're Christians, or politicians, or even one random crazy guy. Being able to see ourselves from outside ourselves (particularly within a cross-cultural context) is a rare gift, one that should both humble and inform us, making our efforts and our relationships more nuanced and effective.
Another thing I found fascinating was how so much of the book's plot and action revolves around responses to Christianity, all while the main characters are not Christians nor ever seriously consider Christianity. The author does an incredible job of walking that thin edge of the knife - both showing how Christianity is a foreign and disturbing influence in traditional Malagasy life, so volatile as to lead to intense violence for adherents and those near to them; while also describing Christian characters who sincerely and self-sacrificially live out their faith and influence at least some positive change within their strictly traditional broader culture. Taking the distant viewpoint on this is much to the advantage of the author, because he's able to show the massively varied responses to Christianity that Malagasy people have, while also showing the majority take the traditional Malagasy highlander approach of preferring to simply watch passively from a distance and not upset the status quo, without regard to internal conviction. I've rarely seen Christian influence in foreign countries handled with such nuance and (as it appears to me) objective representation. Whereas most of our Western authors either love Christianity or despise it, Naivo tremendously succeeds in simply showing it as it is and has been, within its greater cultural and social contexts - all thanks to his narrative viewpoint being that of an authentic low-class native person rather than a power-wielding Westerner.
As mentioned above, the overall tone of this book is tragic. The plot takes numerous twists and turns that keep it fascinating, many moments leaving the reader thinking the main character's hopes and dreams are about to be so satisfyingly fulfilled, only to introduce some new obstacle that further delays or distances us from our hopes, and then to slowly draw them nearer again, and to repeat this cycle. In short, there are a lot of emotional ups and downs and it made me dig ever deeper into this book and to root all the more strongly for its main characters.
But the tragic nature maintained through to the end, passing through some moments of misery that I never could've expected from the beginning. The author seems to have portrayed Malagasy tradition and worldview as facilitating moments of intense brutality that probably most people would rather have pushed down in their national conscience. It really left me wondering what the author's overall perception of Malagasy traditional culture is. The pastoral scenes were beautiful and some other characters even make statements as such. This too is Malagasy. But the way the people passively and fatalistically accepted the brutality of their sovereigns, and even joined these power plays in ways that destroyed SO MANY lives of their own people - it was just heartbreaking.
Considering this all happened in the context of relatively new Western world influence (and what we know of the history that followed), I felt like Naivo was making a statement (consciously or subconsciously): that Malagasy traditional culture is self-destructively proud, and lacking the stability necessary to remain whole in the face of external influences of political power and new religious ideology and practice. And maybe that's how Naivo truly feels, but as a Malagasy person, maybe it also feels like a grand tragedy. Which is what the tone and plot of the book was. If so, it was incredibly well done, as I always love a book whose plot and tone fits the underlying message being conveyed - one grand work of art with a cohesive conveyance of a primary idea, but one too complex and nuanced to be summarized as simply as I tried to do above, and yet still shining through beautifully in this beautifully tragic narrative.
This is an excellent piece of literature. And as the first Malagasy book chosen to be translated into English, I hope it sets the stage for plenty more books to come - hopefully those to follow will continue to share in this book's incredible qualities. I encourage anyone to read it! And if you've ever been to Madagascar and know some (or a lot) of Malagasy language and current Malagasy cultural worldview, then you'll enjoy this all the more. (As a final note, some of the Malagasy words that remain untranslated in the book might be a challenge for readers who are completely unfamiliar with them - though there is a nice glossary in the back that you can refer to regularly to help you understand what's being said.)
November 25, 2017
Beyond the Rice Fields is the first novel from Madagascar ever to be translated into English, and for that reason alone, it is a worthy and fascinating read. We are transported to a 19th-century Malagasy village where slaves, zebu hunters, missionaries and locals are woven into a story that is told through the eyes of the slave Tsito and the girl Fara.
When Tsito’s forest village is destroyed, he is captured and sold as a slave to the zebu hunter, Rama. We follow his story, his aspirations, his fears, as he grows and falls in love with the only child of the family, Fara. We also follow Fara’s story as she discovers Antananarivo, the ‘City of Thousands,’ and becomes involved with the missionaries.
Written by Naivo and translated from the French by Allison M. Charette, this novel will surprise and inform. Some Malagasy language has been preserved in the narrative which gives the book a rich flavour. We read about unusual traditions and superstitions and what must be an important record of the oral tradition of storytelling in Madagascar. At times, this novel feels over-ambitious and the main characters’ stories are lost among the dense historical, political and cultural detail.
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.
When Tsito’s forest village is destroyed, he is captured and sold as a slave to the zebu hunter, Rama. We follow his story, his aspirations, his fears, as he grows and falls in love with the only child of the family, Fara. We also follow Fara’s story as she discovers Antananarivo, the ‘City of Thousands,’ and becomes involved with the missionaries.
Written by Naivo and translated from the French by Allison M. Charette, this novel will surprise and inform. Some Malagasy language has been preserved in the narrative which gives the book a rich flavour. We read about unusual traditions and superstitions and what must be an important record of the oral tradition of storytelling in Madagascar. At times, this novel feels over-ambitious and the main characters’ stories are lost among the dense historical, political and cultural detail.
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.
November 26, 2021
Beautifully written novel of nineteenth century Madagascar which led to much searching on Wikipedia to see how much of it was true and how much fiction - particularly the ceremony of trial by poison -unfortunately very real. Although I was engaged in the story of Fara and Tstito there is a sense of distance from the characters and as the story gets bleaker it is hard to remain deeply attached but still, so much fascinating information about the royal family, dance competitions, colonial interference and life in general that I enjoyed the novel overall.
April 10, 2024
Around the World Reading Challenge: MADAGASCAR
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Really fascinating novel that takes place right around when British Christian missionaries and French industrialists started really gaining prominence in Madagascar, and the resulting upheaval. It takes place over the course of about 15 years, with a lot of events happening off screen. I enjoyed the characters, and it was interesting to learn more about this period of history, but the pacing sometimes felt a bit off for me. The story gets quite dark, and though I didn't feel it got too graphic or depressing, the ending was not what I would call a happy one. I enjoyed reading it, but I didn't love it.
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Really fascinating novel that takes place right around when British Christian missionaries and French industrialists started really gaining prominence in Madagascar, and the resulting upheaval. It takes place over the course of about 15 years, with a lot of events happening off screen. I enjoyed the characters, and it was interesting to learn more about this period of history, but the pacing sometimes felt a bit off for me. The story gets quite dark, and though I didn't feel it got too graphic or depressing, the ending was not what I would call a happy one. I enjoyed reading it, but I didn't love it.
August 14, 2025
I enjoyed this one much more than Return to the Enchanted Isle largely because I was more invested in the characters. Harrowing but beautiful depiction of a wonderful country ripped apart by different factions.
December 13, 2022
3.5 rounded up
January 31, 2021
Naivo provides an interesting look into the traditional culture and beliefs in Madagascar. He vividly depicts the various stages and experiences of life from the eyes of a boy who is enslaved in his youth. In Beyond the Rice Fields, Naivo addresses colonial influences, Christian campaigns to convert the indigenous Malagasy, and witchcraft.
August 20, 2025
The delivery is a bit dry in places, but the over story is fascinating. Following two people as they grow into adulthood during the beginnings of European colonialism in Madagascar. As the monarch and tribal leaders try to drive out the white man's influence they end up ruining the lives of their people and make it easier for the English to take control. Heart break is a huge theme in this story.
January 16, 2024
First book written in the native language of Madagascar to be translated into English. Fascinating look at the native population when Christian missionaries have started converting people to Christianity and its repercussions
May 13, 2023
To start, I read this in an attempt to get up to speed on the culture and history of Madagascar before traveling there for work, and I'm extremely glad I did. This work of historical fiction, which is also the first novel written by a Malagasy author to be translated into English, follows two characters: one is an enslaved boy, the other his master's daughter. The impressive feat of this book is that it manages to weave together the two character's lives (switching between their points of view) from childhood to adulthood with Malagasy traditions and mythologies, beautiful descriptions of the rural Madagascar landscape, the rise to prominence of British colonialism via Christian missionaries, and the subsequent persecution of Christians by Queen Ranavalona in the 1800s. Heartbreaking, rich, deeply human, and unflinchingly honest about the violence present during this period of Malagasy history, I highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about Madagascar and the moral grayness of interfering in a foreign culture
January 8, 2018
Took me awhile to finish this but I blazed through the last hundred pages. The action really picks up at the end after building these characters and really setting the scene of early and mid 1800's Madagascar as the country first embraced, then rejected, Europeans and Christianity. I learned a lot about a country I wasn't as familiar with and I came to care about Fara and Tsito and their family. Brutal but beautiful.
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