How is it that I had never heard of this book or of this woman before Raven recommended I read it for the Africa portion of the Global Reading Challenge? I was missing out on a real jewel!!
Beryl Markham's memoir, West With the Night, tells of her childhood growing up in British East Africa (Kenya) during the early part of the twentieth century. Her younger years were spent raising and training thoroughbred racehorses, first with her father then on her own when he lost his farm and moved to South Africa. Always one for excitement, she later leaped at the opportunity to learn to fly and turned it into a second career as a bush pilot. Perhaps the crowning glory of her career was when she became the first person to fly solo from London to the U.S. (west to east).
I loved this entire book! It's filled with wonderful descriptions of life in Africa in the 1920s and 30s.... lions, elephants, Siafu ants, safaris, horse racing, and, of course, flying. It was actually the flying that first interested me in the book. Having gotten my own pilot's license when I was younger, I found it easy to relate to her descriptions of flying. The entire book is beautifully written and totally engrossing. I highly recommend it!
This completed the Africa portion of the Global Reading Challenge for me.
13 comments:
Kenya and Uganda was being settled from 1900 onwards. But things changed drastically once it was discovered that tea could be grown, then Coffee. As massive investment by English and Irish aristocrats finding a home for cash really came to fruition after WWI for the kids of the original investors. They became known as the happy valley set. And a remarkable nasty place it was too.
Casting about for an American example I would pick the Tobacco planters of Virginia and NC for a society nearing it or perhaps that incestuous feel of the Hamptons. Aptly captured by F Scott-Fitz.
I will have to put this one on my list. You always have excellent suggestions! I enjoy reading true stories. (Is that an oxymoron?)
I did not know that you had a pilot's license. That's pretty cool. Do you still fly?
Wow, you are a pilot? Of course this book must have appealed to you then.
Vince - I believe the book was written in the 1940s so, as you can imagine, there is no attempt at "political correctness". There are obviously glimpses of the lifestyles you refer to. Some interesting comments, too, about North Africa as WWII approached. I also must admit that even though I am a hunter myself, I hated the descriptions of hunting elephants just for their ivory. For me, hunting should be for food.
Bragger - There were lots of times I had to remind myself that this WAS true and not just a story!
Debby, Dorte - I only flew for a few years. The cost and upkeep of our plane got a little much after awhile. The last time I actually piloted a plane I was 7 or 8 months pregnant! I kept my medical certificate up for quite a few years but finally let it lapse. To fly again all I'd have to do is get a new medical then spend some time with an instructor to refresh my skills.
I've heard of this book but never read it. And how cool that you had a pilots license!
I loved this book too! I believe I read it in 2008 if memory serves. Did you read on the bookjacket or back cover how it was "lost" for many years and Ernest Hemingway read it and was so impressed he helped get it published? (OR something like that). I believe I reviewed this in my blog a couple of years ago.
I was a little fuzzy on the part about Hemingway but a review he wrote of the book did increase its popularity. I went back and found where I reviewed it at the end of 2008.
Can't wait to read it!
Sounds like a read I'd enjoy, thanks for the recommendation Kelly, I'm hoping our library will have a copy.
Jenners - I'll have to dig out a photo from my flying days. :)
Bob - I went back and read your review. I obviously focused on the books you reviewed that I'd already read. The Hemingway quote was compelling.
Quid, Tracy - I bet you'll both enjoy it!
Hi Kelly,
I came for you shadow shot, and it is beautiful. But I saw this post as I was scrolling, and had to comment. I read this book a number of years ago, and really liked it. I still have it on my shelf.
I also recommend it!
Dimple - Nice to know someone else enjoyed it as much as I did! Thanks for commenting!
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