The Tractor

by Vic and Tor Hansen

The Tractor is the story of Morakeewa, an island in the Pacific Ocean changed forever by the arrival of American troops during the Second World War. When they return home, they leave something that will change the lives of the islanders forever: the Tractor. Tommu, a Reader dedicated to understanding the books left behind by the Americans, tells the story. Setting out to write a history of Morakeewa, he finds himself at the centre of a controversy over what should be done with the technology the island inherited from the Americans. Does the Tractor represent the solution to all the problems of the island, or is it an evil Shai-hathan, bringing nothing but decadence and corruption that must be destroyed at all costs? Perhaps the answer lies in finding the will of 'Our Granny' the semi-mythical ruler of the island, if Tommu can work out what that is. The task is more difficult and dangerous than Tommu thought, especially in the middle of a terrorist war between factions that each believe they have exclusive access to the truth and each want Tommu's history to reflect their point of view.

348 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book through LibraryThing Members. I will write a review after I finish reading it.
This book was an entertaining read. It shows what happens when a piece of high tech equipment is left behind for a group of primitive natives.
It reminds me of a movie I saw many years ago called "The Gods Must Be Crazy", only in the movie it was an empty Coca-cola bottle dropped from a passing Piper Cub airplane. It had similar results.
All-in-all, a very good book.