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Cannibals and Missionaries
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Cannibals and Missionaries

novel by McCarthy
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Article History

Cannibals and Missionaries, novel of ideas that probes the psychology of terrorism, by Mary McCarthy, published in 1979.

The action of the novel begins when a plane carrying Americans bound for Iran is hijacked by terrorists. Some passengers are wealthy art collectors; others are politicians and activists planning to investigate allegations that Savak, the shah’s secret police, is using torture against political dissidents. At first the terrorists intend to use the politicians and activists as hostages, but they soon realize that masterworks of art are of more value than any human being and decide to trade the art collectors for their artworks.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.