On the Nervous Edge of an Impossible Paradise: Affect, Tourism, Belize

On the Nervous Edge of an Impossible Paradise is a collection of seven stories about local lives in Wallaceville, Belize, where beastly forces actively make paradise impossible. The stories explore the affective politics of life in the region, evoking the uncertainties of life in the tourist state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 02 August 2024
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Belize is a land of incredible beauty and diversity, but it is also home to beastly forces that make paradise impossible. In the fictional village of Wallaceville, seven stories unfold, each exploring the lives of local residents who are caught up in the chaos and uncertainty of the Belize beast-time. This beast-time can manifest in various ways, from comic mishaps to social ruin, tragic excess, or wild guesses. It is a fable of emergence that evokes the unnerving uncertainties of life in the tourist state of Belize.

One of the stories in the collection is "The Beast of Belize." In this story, a group of tourists arrives in Wallaceville and encounters a mysterious beast that seems to be stalking them. The beast is a symbol of the chaos and unpredictability of the Belize beast-time, and it leaves the tourists feeling terrified and helpless.

Another story is "The Time of the Jaguar." In this story, a young woman named Maya is caught up in the political turmoil of Belize. She is a member of a rebel group that is fighting against the government, and she is forced to make difficult decisions that could have devastating consequences for her and her family.

"The Night of the Owl" is a story about a man named John who is haunted by the memory of his wife's death. He is a retired police officer, and he is struggling to come to terms with his loss. One night, he encounters a mysterious owl that seems to be guiding him to a hidden treasure.

"The Day of the Iguana" is a story about a man named Carlos who is obsessed with iguanas. He has a large collection of iguanas, and he is determined to protect them from harm. However, one day, he discovers that his iguanas are being threatened by a group of poachers.

"The Year of the Monkey" is a story about a man named Miguel who is a farmer. He is struggling to make ends meet, and he is forced to make difficult decisions that could have devastating consequences for his family. One year, he encounters a group of monkeys that seem to be causing havoc in his fields.

"The Season of the Scorpion" is a story about a woman named Maria who is a nurse. She is caring for a patient who is suffering from a deadly scorpion sting. She is determined to save her patient's life, but she is faced with many challenges along the way.

"The End of the World" is a story about a man named David who is a scientist. He is working on a project that could potentially destroy the world. He is faced with many ethical dilemmas, and he is forced to make difficult decisions that could have devastating consequences for the entire planet.

These stories are not only about the beastly forces in Belize, but they are also about the human characters who are caught up in the chaos and uncertainty of the Belize beast-time. They are a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and they remind us of the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of our lives.

In conclusion, "On the Nervous Edge of an Impossible Paradise" is a collection of seven stories that explore the lives of local residents in the fictional village of Wallaceville. These stories are a testament to the beastly forces in Belize and the human characters who are caught up in the chaos and uncertainty of the Belize beast-time. They are a reminder of the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of our lives.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805393443