From
1966 to 1998 France conducted 193 nuclear tests in the Polynesian islands. The
impact of this action continues to be revealed today. The nuclear tests were
brought to an end because of the fierce protests of the local people, who ended
up suffering the disastrous consequences of the fallout.
The Great Quiet is a novel that sheds light on the ways political decisions are enmeshed with the health and personal lives of people.
Manu
is a widower whose fourteen-year-old daughter, Ari, is diagnosed with multiple
myeloma, a condition that tends to happen in older adults. Her best friend,
Natua, will be inspired to do what it takes to support her through this ordeal.
The plot of the story centers on the struggles and challenges the two teenagers
navigate as they try to support each other.
Angela, Natua’s single mother, works to keep her family afloat while she
contends with irreversible health issues. The family secrets she keeps away from
her son are revealed at the end of the novel.
The
Great Quiet is about resilience, family bonds, friendship and how the dynamics
of relationships can change and grow over time. The novel uncovers the effects
of corruption and exposes the deep interconnection between human health and the
environment. The story transports us to the wondrous landscapes of a Polynesian
island, sharing insights into its wildlife and plants. As the plot unfolds, the
reader can appreciate how the setting blends with the characters’ emotions,
motivations and experiences.
Natua and Ari try to practice a dance that seems
to symbolize their desire to hold onto their culture and celebrate it.
Ari makes a trip to Paris to seek treatment,
so some events take place there. The Great Quiet by Bekkah Frisch motivated me
to learn about the nuclear tests performed by France and the ongoing
consequences of the subterfuge. To learn more about nuclear tests and their effects,
feel free to check the links at the end of this post.
I thank the author for kindly sharing the book
with me for My Writing Life: awareness, reflection, inspiration.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56340159
https://www.equaltimes.org/beyond-radioactivity-how-french?lang=en
