Books about Africa, set in Africa and African books
May 3rd, 2009, 07:57 PM
#21
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A book I read a few years ago which was really interesting was The Ukimwe Road by Dervla Murphy. I'd highly recommend it. An Irish woman who cycled alone through Eastern Africa following the plight of people with HIV/AIDS (Swahili translation - Ukimwe). I haven't read it for ages, but remember being amazed by her intrepid journey.
Am currently reading novels by Tony Park … fun adventures on Safari in Southern Africa with thrills, spills aplenty … filling the gaps between safaris for me.
Beyond Mombasa by Frank Coates was also a great read with lots of historical information but turned into a hard to put down read. He has some other books out, I have only read one other of his, In Search of Africa which I enjoyed but not as much as Beyond Mombasa.
Am currently reading novels by Tony Park … fun adventures on Safari in Southern Africa with thrills, spills aplenty … filling the gaps between safaris for me.
Beyond Mombasa by Frank Coates was also a great read with lots of historical information but turned into a hard to put down read. He has some other books out, I have only read one other of his, In Search of Africa which I enjoyed but not as much as Beyond Mombasa.
Jun 24th, 2009, 03:57 AM
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3 recent reads which added considerably to my appreciation of wildlife in Africa today. Don't mean to add fuel to the hunting vs non-hunting debate but these reflected quite a bit on places some of us have visited.
A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa--Being a Narrative of a 9 years in the far interiof of South Africa of Frederick C. Selous.
Africa Game Trails--an account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist Theodore Roosevelt.
White Hunters--The Golden Age of African Safaris by Brian Herne. Reflects on many of the places we have visited. Kinda of nostalgic to read of lions, hippos and the like being seen on the streets of Nairobi!
Dick
A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa--Being a Narrative of a 9 years in the far interiof of South Africa of Frederick C. Selous.
Africa Game Trails--an account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist Theodore Roosevelt.
White Hunters--The Golden Age of African Safaris by Brian Herne. Reflects on many of the places we have visited. Kinda of nostalgic to read of lions, hippos and the like being seen on the streets of Nairobi!
Dick
Jun 24th, 2009, 04:54 AM
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I second the recommendation for A Guide to the birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson. It's fiction, and romantic without being sentimental. Very easy to read, evoking a different time and place.
Jun 24th, 2009, 11:34 AM
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I'm shocked that no one has mentioned "The Covenant" by James Michener. Like all Michener books, it is classified as historical fiction but includes 95% non-fiction (only the characters themselves are fictional). The most amazing coverage of African history,especially South African history.
Jun 24th, 2009, 05:46 PM
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Lots of my favorites have already been mentioned, like Alexandra Fuller's 'Don't lets go to the dogs tonight' (has anyone read her second book 'Scribble the cat'? Is it as good as 'dogs'? ) and Peter Godwin's 'Mukiwa'.
I also enjoyed David Schmahmann's 'Empire Settings' about growing up in SA.
I first got introduced to William Boyd through 'Brazzaville Beach' and 'A good Man in Africa', I find his style of writing very engaging.
One of my all time favorites - Malaria Dreams by Stuart Stevens.
David Lamb's 'The Africans' or 'The Arabs'. I found them both enlightening.
I've also read lots of Peace Corp memoirs- The village of waiting & The ponds of Kalambayi
And of course I'm following the Ladies #1 series.
On my last trip to SA, I picked up:
'Say you're one of them'-I found the persistent theme of hopelessness so disturbing, about halfway through I refused to go on with it.
Enjoyed Tim Ecott's 'Stealing Water'
Enjoyed Peter Godwin's 'When the crocodile eats the sun'- went from cover to cover on the flight back home from SA.
...and I'm currrently reading A Primate's Memoir which I bought because I enjoyed my walk with baboons in Cape Town so much.
Are there any books that tell of happy or enjoyable times in Africa? Most of what I read seems to focus on the trials/tribulations/hazards and in general difficulties of the dark continent.
I also enjoyed David Schmahmann's 'Empire Settings' about growing up in SA.
I first got introduced to William Boyd through 'Brazzaville Beach' and 'A good Man in Africa', I find his style of writing very engaging.
One of my all time favorites - Malaria Dreams by Stuart Stevens.
David Lamb's 'The Africans' or 'The Arabs'. I found them both enlightening.
I've also read lots of Peace Corp memoirs- The village of waiting & The ponds of Kalambayi
And of course I'm following the Ladies #1 series.
On my last trip to SA, I picked up:
'Say you're one of them'-I found the persistent theme of hopelessness so disturbing, about halfway through I refused to go on with it.
Enjoyed Tim Ecott's 'Stealing Water'
Enjoyed Peter Godwin's 'When the crocodile eats the sun'- went from cover to cover on the flight back home from SA.
...and I'm currrently reading A Primate's Memoir which I bought because I enjoyed my walk with baboons in Cape Town so much.
Are there any books that tell of happy or enjoyable times in Africa? Most of what I read seems to focus on the trials/tribulations/hazards and in general difficulties of the dark continent.
Jul 5th, 2009, 01:01 PM
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Lillipets, just looked at the Barnes & Noble website and the book is "Don't Look Behind You!: A Safari Guide's Encounters with Ravenous Lions, Stampeding Elephants, and Lovesick Rhinos"
by Peter Allison
They say it's out in Sept.
by Peter Allison
They say it's out in Sept.
Jul 5th, 2009, 05:16 PM
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Just read A Carrion Death Introducing Detective Kubu. (This first novel by Michael Stanley was on the LA Times Crime Fiction Favorite Book of the Year). It reminds me of the #1 Detective series but from a decidedly more masculine and more violent approach. Detective Kubu is a memorable character.
Has anyone read their other novels?
Has anyone read their other novels?
Jul 6th, 2009, 08:58 AM
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Femi, in answer to your question about more upbeat books about Africa, this is one on my list of those to read:
<i>Angels in Africa: Profiles of Seven Extraordinary Women</i> (Beth O'Donnell)
Books I'm on the hunt for:
<i>Longing for Darkness: Kimante's Tales from Out of Africa</i> (the stories of Isak Dinesen's trusted majordomo).
<i>Swahili Chic</i> (Bibi Jordan)
I have pre-ordered a copy of <i>Tanzania - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture</i> (Quintin Winks)
<i>Angels in Africa: Profiles of Seven Extraordinary Women</i> (Beth O'Donnell)
Books I'm on the hunt for:
<i>Longing for Darkness: Kimante's Tales from Out of Africa</i> (the stories of Isak Dinesen's trusted majordomo).
<i>Swahili Chic</i> (Bibi Jordan)
I have pre-ordered a copy of <i>Tanzania - Culture Smart!: the essential guide to customs & culture</i> (Quintin Winks)
Jul 6th, 2009, 09:10 AM
#37
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Its been over 35 years since I was a student in Kenya, but even now the novels by African writers that we studied in school in the mid to late 70s leave an indelible mark on my mind.
We were so fortunate to have had excellent literature teachers to guide us through the reading and studying, who gave us insights into the minds and creations of these novelists that we'd never have gleaned were it not for them.
Two novels and a play come fondly to mind :
- The Lion and the Jewel, by Wole Soyinka
- Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe
- The River Between, by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
All three illustrate aspects of tribal Socio-culture, the aspirations and the history and ploitics of African people from across the continent.
Give them a shot if you can find them. Well worth it.
We were so fortunate to have had excellent literature teachers to guide us through the reading and studying, who gave us insights into the minds and creations of these novelists that we'd never have gleaned were it not for them.
Two novels and a play come fondly to mind :
- The Lion and the Jewel, by Wole Soyinka
- Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe
- The River Between, by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
All three illustrate aspects of tribal Socio-culture, the aspirations and the history and ploitics of African people from across the continent.
Give them a shot if you can find them. Well worth it.
Jul 6th, 2009, 09:32 AM
#38
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Calo, I actually have "Safari Chic" in my library. The production values aren't very high (grainy photos, etc.); I think that the Balfours' "Simply Safari" is a better book along those lines (photos of camps, etc.)
Jul 6th, 2009, 05:58 PM
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You've confirmed my thoughts about Scribble the Cat Samcat. The snippets I read just didn't reach out and grab me the way 'Dogs' did. I wouldn't have described myself as passionate about reading, same way I wouldn't say I have a passion for breathing, LOL. They're practically one and the same for me. I feel bereft if I'm forced to go to bed without something to read. My love of travel is a very close second.
Thanks Calo, I'll definitely look those up.
I've also got safari Chic in my library, and a couple with the same title, Safari Style. I agree with Shay Tay about the quality, but at the time I was so hungry for all things African, I thought it was worth it. I think the 'Great Hotel Book' series by Taschen are a better value, I pull them out time and time again.
Mathieu, because we had to read Things Fall Apart in school, I never even considered it for this list. But, I just picked it up again a few months ago and agree that it deserves honorable mention. Makes me wonder now about Ngugi Wa Thiongo's 'Weep Not Child', once again required reading, so of course I never picked it up since. Maybe now is my chance.
Thanks Calo, I'll definitely look those up.
I've also got safari Chic in my library, and a couple with the same title, Safari Style. I agree with Shay Tay about the quality, but at the time I was so hungry for all things African, I thought it was worth it. I think the 'Great Hotel Book' series by Taschen are a better value, I pull them out time and time again.
Mathieu, because we had to read Things Fall Apart in school, I never even considered it for this list. But, I just picked it up again a few months ago and agree that it deserves honorable mention. Makes me wonder now about Ngugi Wa Thiongo's 'Weep Not Child', once again required reading, so of course I never picked it up since. Maybe now is my chance.
Jul 6th, 2009, 06:10 PM
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Just returned from browsing Amazon.
Calo it's a pity the books on your list don't have the sneak peek feature. Longing for Darkness is available for a reasonable price.
I thought the name Peter Allison sounded familiar, and sure enough I bought 'Whatever You Do Don't Run' last year. I remember it being just ok, but it has received pretty good reviews.
Calo it's a pity the books on your list don't have the sneak peek feature. Longing for Darkness is available for a reasonable price.
I thought the name Peter Allison sounded familiar, and sure enough I bought 'Whatever You Do Don't Run' last year. I remember it being just ok, but it has received pretty good reviews.
