A co-winner of the Man Booker Prize in 1992 (along with The English Patient), this well crafted book provides a disturbing view of the slave trade through the eyes and lives of different characters. The poisonous influence of greed becomes the rationalizing principle that allows people to be part of a dehumanizing system of commerce. Unger draws us into the period and into the issues through well drawn characters, characters that have depth and complexity. Even the well meaning cannot create the desired utopia they seek. The tales of strength, survival and striving are powerful.

I first heard of this book through a brief NPR "You must Read This" segment by Ethan Canin during which he called it a masterpiece. I heard his reflections on the book and agreed, "I must read this" and pulled into the nearest book store and purchased it. I am very glad I did. Thank you Mr. Canin. You were quite right. ( )

The flood of cheap manufactures, for which the people have no need, destroys their industries. They become dependent on this trade and the demand for goods can only be met by enslaving their fellows. To do this they need muskets in ever increasing quantities -- which we supply. And so we spread death everywhere. But that sacred hunger we spoke of justifies all. (p. 328)

In 1752, Liverpool businessman William Kemp finances a ship to engage in the Triangle Trade: trading arms for slaves in Africa, and then trading slaves In Jamaica for sugar to be brought back to England. Kemp recruits his nephew, Matthew Paris, to serve as the ship's physician. Paris, recently released from prison, is eager to start a new life. Kemp's son Erasmus resents Paris' new status, holding a deep grudge against him for petty childhood "crimes."

The ship sets sail, with all the horror expected of such a journey. Paris earns the respect of some crew members, but is barely tolerated by the captain. Meanwhile, the younger Kemp leads a life of relative ease, courting a young woman to be his bride. Events in both men's lives take unexpected turns and, on these cliffhangers, the reader is propelled forward to 1765. By this time Kemp is a prosperous businessman himself and lives in the cocoon of ideals that allows someone to believe slavery is just, and that they are entitled to the luxuries that result from the profits. Paris is living in a kind of utopian society forged on ideals of equality, which are fragile and difficult to sustain. Kemp's self-centeredness and profit motive cause him to seek out Paris to act on his inexplicable need for revenge.

Barry Unsworth packs so much into Sacred Hunger. The page-turning saga of the slave ship, with all its detail about living conditions and man's inhumanity to man, could be a book unto itself. The conflict between Paris and Kemp could also stand alone. Together they make for a gripping, emotional, and memorable read. Highly recommended. ( )

This is one of the best books I have ever read . I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish it despite work looming in the morning. The story was fascinating and it has lingered in my memory ever since. I was delighted when my son took 1st year English at University and it was on the reading list. ( )

A top ten lifetime book. It's subject is important. It's writing is great.

3271. Sacred Hunger, by Barry Unsworth (read Nov 26 1999) This book was a co-winner (with The English Patient, which I read Oct. 18, 1996, and was unimpressed by) of the Booker Prize for 1992. It is not a bad book, and holds one's interest. It opens in England in 1752 where William Kemp is having a ship built to haul slaves from Africa to Jamaica. The central character goes on the ship as medical officer. Towards the end there is a lot of pidgin English, which grates, but not too bad a book, tho very politically correct. ( )