Green Mansions

“Green Mansions” by W. H. Hudson tells the story of Abel, a young wealthy Venezuelan who flees Caracas for political reasons and soon finds himself in the uncharted forests of the Guyana jungle. There Abel meets the mysterious Rima the Bird Girl. As Abel chases after his secret admirer, she leads him further and further into her invisible trap of love. Then the secret begins to unfold. The language of “Green Mansions” is exquisite, and the book will be especially intriguing to anyone with an interest in nature, for it is not only a wonderful love story, but also a vivid description of the Venezuelan rain forest and its indigenous people. Readers who have read Rand Johnson’s “Arcadia Falls – A Fable” will find interesting parallels here, as Hudson presents a moving and mysterious romance against a backdrop of great natural beauty. Books as rich as “Green Mansions” need to be savored, like good wine. The story flows naturally and poetically. Though written over a hundred years ago, it doesn’t seem at all dated. The plot and the pacing are superb, and Hudson’s storytelling is particularly fascinating. Written with rich and moving prose, “Green Mansions” is a truly absorbing book.