The Boiling Season is set in the Caribbean, on an unnamed island that has a lot in common with Haiti. The main character Alexandre is very determined from an early age to escape from the run-down slums of his childhood and his shop-keeper father. Somehow he feels more important than his fellow slum-dwellers. He finally gets his chance by way of employment with an important Senator. He then spends most of his life as a caretaker at a lush, secluded resort. He is determined to ignore his lowly roots and the growing political climate in his country to enjoy a lavish life at the resort and the sheltered protection it provides from his mundane origins. His determination to ignore the realities of his country's politics continue even as the world he has been hiding from eventually comes knocking at his door. He will eventually have to choose where his loyalties lie.

I enjoyed this book even though it`s not in my usual genre. Alexandre is also the narrator of the story and he is well developed as well as a flawed character. He is sympathetic at times and at times you cannot understand his reasoning.

I do think that the novel could benefit from some better editing, it did drag in points. At times what could be said in 5 pages was told in 10 pages. Overall, it would be a good read for people who like political complexity in the plotline. It's probably not one I'd read again as it's not my usual genre, but it's good, just a bit too political for me to give 4 stars.

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