Black Lightning

An iconic novel from a rebellious and politically active author, this story follows Jack, a sculptor and blacksmith, who idolizes the Biblical Samson as a figure of man''s independence. Deciding to carve a mahogany tribute to Samson, however, becomes a more complicated affair when Jack''s wife leaves him for another man. The end result is a sculpture of a blinded Samson leaning on a young boy for support. As life imitates art, Jack is struck by lightning and left blind, forcing him to rely on his friends to survive. After leading him on a journey to discover just how reliant on humanity he really is, Jack''s blindness ultimately drives him to his final act of independence: his own suicide.

Part of Peepal Tree''s Caribbean Modern Classics series, Black Lightning is the third and final novel by Roger Mais, originally published in 1955, the year of his death.

Set in the Jamaican countryside, it follows the story of Jack, a sculptor and blacksmith who idolises the biblical Samson as a figure of man''s independence. Setting out to carve a tribute to Samson in mahogany, Jack is soon beset by the break-up of his marriage, and a lightning strike that leaves him blind. What follows is a heart-rending tale of humanity, of finding one''s way, and of friendship in adversity.

Roger Mais was born in Kingston, Jamaica. His 1944 critique of Churchill''s imperialist ideology, Now We Know, saw him sentenced to six months in prison for sedition. His other novels are The Hills Were Joyful Together (1951), brought back into print by Peepal Tree in 2012, and Brother Man (1954), published by Macmillan Caribbean Writers in 2004. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Jamaica in 1978.

• | Author: Roger Mais
• | Publisher: Peepal Tree Press Ltd
• | Publication Date: Feb 15, 2014
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781845231019
• | ISBN-10: 1845231015