White Snake

Michael Dicketts was Information Librarian at the Kingston Public Library in Kingston, Ontario.

Leon Whiteson was born in Rhodesia of Jewish parentage; after studying architecture in Cape Town, he left to practice in London. His first short story was published in 1965 and a novel, Nora Eckdorf, in 1967. His writing has also included screenplays and dramas for British television. In 1979 he came to Canada, where he writes an architectural column for the Toronto Star.

White Snake recounts the adventures of a Rhodesia-born architect who has made his name around the world but has returned to his homeland dissatisfied with his worldly success. It is 1973 and unilateral independence has affected everyone in Rhodesia. Paul Kahn, caught up in the politics of the day, elects to help the natives in their struggles with the rulers, led by Prime Minister Ian Smith. Through his friendship with fellow architect Shaun Connaughton, Kahn is able to penetrate the government’s security headquarters, where he plants a bomb. Although under suspicion, he awaits his next assignment while continuing to mix freely with both supporters and opponents of the white regime. A turning point is reached when a car carrying officials is blown up during the opening of a planned settlement area for native people. Connaughton helps Kahn to flee the country despite a duel between the two friends which ends in bloodshed.

This is a well-told story of the dilemma that faced many white Rhodesians at the time. There are several effective scenes involving blacks, and the inner struggles which Kahn undergoes in matters of loyalty and moral principles are authentically handled. Whiteson’s treatment of dialogue and background is effective although some characterization is too one-dimensional for my tastes. Although it is a reasonably fast-paced adventure story, the political setting tends to date it and my recommendation is therefore qualified.