Roger Mais
Black Lightning

Unlike his first two novels, Black Lightning (originally published in 1955) takes place in the countryside. Its protagonist is Jack, a sculptor and blacksmith who idolises 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 his wife leaves him for another man. The end result is a Samson blinded and 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.

With an introduction by Jacqueline Bishop.

Roger Mais