Law of the Jungle by Christina Hoag
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great adventure involving scientific research, jungle survival and vengeance. In Christina Hoag’s ‘Law of the Jungle’ British scientist Rowena Aldus has been hiding away in the Venezuelan jungle studying spiders whose venom can help with – wait for it – erectile dysfunction. Rowena is running out of money and Venezuela’s socialist government isn’t keen on having her stay in the country. Because of a chequered past, going back to Britain isn’t an option. Then, out of the blue, an American called Guy comes along offering to invest in her research.
Rowena is a fascinating protagonist, dealt a bad hand in life having an abusive mother and mousy looks, she is capable of cruelty and violence. Her knowledge of the jungle and the properties of its flora and fauna make her a formidable enemy.
Through her struggles, Rowena comes to see human society as a reflection of the law of the jungle. As she exploits the spiders, those up the line – her mother, Guy, the government, the guerrillas – exploit her, and this makes her bitter. However, Rowena and the jungle have another side. As well as venomous spiders, frogs and other dangers, the jungle contains plants to cure all kinds of diseases and wounds. Rowena begins to utilise these to become a healer.
The settings of an indigenous village, a narco-guerrilla camp, and the upmarket neighbourhoods of Miami are vividly portrayed by the author who has lived in many places and knows her stuff. I would have been interested to read more on the politics and society of the Venezuelan setting and the life of Rowena’s lawyer there, Carlota. As well as being a well-plotted and researched thriller, The Law of the Jungle has a few good laughs – how could it not with its setup of ED-curing spider venom!
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