Last Hummingbird West of Chile

An audacious tale of murder, privilege, and servitude - of both humans and nature.
A stunning work of imaginative fiction, Last Hummingbird West of Chile spins a tale of adventure that is in turn comedic, violent, poignant and thoughtful. Through the exploits of a young sailor born in questionable circumstance and a pair of murderous servants, as well as an assortment of other 19th century regulars, the vital subjects of today--race, religion, sexuality, environment--are framed in history and human culture.
Through narration by human protagonists, a tree, a hummingbird, various beasts, and the landscape itself, Ruddock tells a story of colonialism and environment, brutality and privilege, and the best and worst of human nature.

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average rating is 4.5 out of 5, based on 2 votes, book lovers sharing their thoughts

100 % would recommend

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Claire Murphy

Location:

St. John's, NL

average rating is 4 out of 5

Time Published

Would recommend!

This book was one that I was very intrigued by from the very start. It takes a bit of a contemporary approach to storytelling with the use of multiple perspectives; some that continue throughout the entirety of the book, and some that are only used once. I initially had a hard time following all the different perspectives, but once I got into the book, it became second nature to understand.

I enjoyed the plot of the book as well, it was very interesting and there was something new to learn in every chapter. The author uses very descriptive language, which was something that I found could sometimes impede the storyline. The book was set in the mid 1800’s, and so the language and phrasing used throughout the book was period appropriate which I appreciated. I was grateful for the vivid descriptions when it was able to enhance the plot, but this was mainly when the characters were speaking either to or about each other.

Overall, I really liked this book. It was an easy read while travelling, and a fun plot to watch unfurl. There are a few adult scenes throughout the book, and because of that I would recommend this book to slightly older audiences.

I recommend this book.

Oliver

Location:

St. John's, Newfoundland

average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

A fantastic, captivating read

Last Hummingbird West of Chile by Nicholas Ruddock was a book I’d had my eye on for a while and it did not disappoint. It’s a captivating piece of historical fiction that tells its story through the eyes of many narrators - including humans, hummingbirds, and a tree. I found the sheer amount of information and points of view to be a bit overwhelming at times, but it was all so engaging that I had trouble putting it down. The writing is especially impressive in how it flows so well while keeping the voices of its narrators distinct from one another. Miss Albertson, Quercus Alba, and Zephyrax were my favourite characters to hear from, but each point of view brought something new and interesting to the story. This novel felt so alive and well rounded, making it such an engaging experience to read. I could sing this book’s praises for hours and I’d definitely recommend checking it out.

I recommend this book.