The Devil on Her Tongue
Canadian author Linda Holeman’s latest novel, The Devil on Her Tongue, is a gripping blend of tragedy and triumph, secrets and revelations, and a confidence that comes from knowing that destiny is not determined by birth but rather by hard choices and perseverance.
Diamantina ten Brink is enjoying a rustic childhood on the Portuguese island of Porto Santo with her Dutch sailor father, Arie, and her African-born mother, Estra, when her world is irretrievably altered by her father’s decision to return to the sea and make his way to Brazil. Diamantina’s determination to join him sets in motion a series of choices of her own which transport the reader from quiet Porto Santo to the wine-producing regions of neighbouring Madeira, and finally to the shifting, narrow, streets of 18th-century Lisbon.
Holeman’s novel, the follow-up to her international bestseller, The Lost Souls of Angelkov, presents a well-developed narrative, together with a number of complex characters which demonstrate the consequences which arise from choices made within the pressure, and often bleakness, of a single moment. Her characters are also offered unusual personal traits which keep the novel moving, with her depiction of the former priest, Bonifacio Rivaldo, particularly compelling. Rivaldo struggles equally with both actions he has taken and those he has failed to take and which consequently have led to significant ramifications in the lives of those around him.
Interesting characters, enthralling scenery and a fast-paced narrative all combine beautifully to make The Devil on Her Tongue a satisfying summer read.
