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rodrigoparis's review against another edition
5.0
It was very good and interesting, after reading the reached of the earth this book is a brilliant addition to Fanon's statements.
blackbird_fly's review
4.0
Too much information :P I wonder if this book have been banned somewhere.
andreiton_6's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
drdreuh's review against another edition
5.0
A truly beautiful weaving of Kapuscinki's experiences (as a Polish journalist) in a few African countries at pivotal points in their history, and the cultural, historical, social, etc. factors that came before. His writing reads like poetry, and he is at once fair in his treatment of the horrific bits and the astounding beauty of Africa.
The Shadow of the Sun is a delightful and illuminating read, even for someone with a lot of knowledge and experience of Africa. I read his chapters on Uganda with my Ugandan husband with joy (even the terrifying bits), but I like best the chapter on Zanzibar, which I read while visiting the island for the first time.
Overall, Kapuscinski captures the complexity of Africa well.
The Shadow of the Sun is a delightful and illuminating read, even for someone with a lot of knowledge and experience of Africa. I read his chapters on Uganda with my Ugandan husband with joy (even the terrifying bits), but I like best the chapter on Zanzibar, which I read while visiting the island for the first time.
Overall, Kapuscinski captures the complexity of Africa well.
sarapalooza's review
5.0
The Shadow of the Sun
Ryszard Kapuscinski
The Warsaw Airport first introduced me to Kapuscinski. I wanted to read more literature from Polish authors and his “Nobody Leaves: Impressions of Poland” was a beautiful window into a specific time in rural Poland. His reporting was clear-eyed and to the point, but with a little extra “zhoosh.” Who says “zhoosh” can’t be a literary term? He had a true adventurer’s spirit and an empathy that’s often missing in our cynical day and age.
Kapuscinski was drawn to Africa from early in his life and spent many years there as a reporter. His tales of time spent in over fifteen countries with multiple people are truly moving. It is at once an uplifting read, full of the richness of culture and beautiful tradition, and a difficult one which addresses the horrors of colonialism and oppression.
Kapuscinski crisscrosses the continent, witnessing coups, battling malaria, listening to oral histories, talking to academics and warlords, in an attempt to learn. He is self-aware and humble and describes his encounters without judging or critiquing.
Some mighty fine reporting, and so much food for thought. I was page turning and losing track of time with the best of them! Recommend!
Ryszard Kapuscinski
The Warsaw Airport first introduced me to Kapuscinski. I wanted to read more literature from Polish authors and his “Nobody Leaves: Impressions of Poland” was a beautiful window into a specific time in rural Poland. His reporting was clear-eyed and to the point, but with a little extra “zhoosh.” Who says “zhoosh” can’t be a literary term? He had a true adventurer’s spirit and an empathy that’s often missing in our cynical day and age.
Kapuscinski was drawn to Africa from early in his life and spent many years there as a reporter. His tales of time spent in over fifteen countries with multiple people are truly moving. It is at once an uplifting read, full of the richness of culture and beautiful tradition, and a difficult one which addresses the horrors of colonialism and oppression.
Kapuscinski crisscrosses the continent, witnessing coups, battling malaria, listening to oral histories, talking to academics and warlords, in an attempt to learn. He is self-aware and humble and describes his encounters without judging or critiquing.
Some mighty fine reporting, and so much food for thought. I was page turning and losing track of time with the best of them! Recommend!
joyleaf's review against another edition
4.0
Bellissima serie di appunti e reportage di una persona che non si è recata in Africa solo per lavoro, ma che ha aperto il cuore e la mente per provare a capirla. In queste pagine sono ovviamente descritte situazioni strazianti, e il libro aiuta a farsi una vaga idea su quante differenze esistano non solo tra un Paese e l'altro di questo sconfinato continente, ma anche all'interno degli stessi Paesi. Sicuramente mi ha acceso la voglia di scoprirne di più, di imparare e approfondire la storia e le tradizioni di luoghi e popoli su cui sono immensamente ignorante.
Inoltre, ho trovato tantissimi spunti di riflessione sui concetti di vita, morte, tempo, ricchezza, povertà, spiritualità, solitudine, storia, tutti spiegati senza il minimo accenno di giudizio, né positivo né negativo. Un saggio davvero stimolante e coinvolgente.
Inoltre, ho trovato tantissimi spunti di riflessione sui concetti di vita, morte, tempo, ricchezza, povertà, spiritualità, solitudine, storia, tutti spiegati senza il minimo accenno di giudizio, né positivo né negativo. Un saggio davvero stimolante e coinvolgente.
mokey4's review
5.0
This is my favorite non-fiction book about Africa. Kapuscinski tells stories about his own experiences in many countries on the continent, interwoven with the history of the last 50 years. I picked this book up almost by accident at London Heathrow, and have since re-read it many times and have lent it to many people.
poachedeggs's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't a review so much as it is a reflection on my own struggles with non-fiction.
As an avid reader of fiction, I have always found reading non-fiction a bit of a chore. I say this guiltily as well because I suspect that my faculty for entering another world is at least partially borne of a desire for escapism. Reading non-fiction makes me feel rather inadequate, and I see it more as a mentally salubrious rather than as an enjoyable activity.
Over the past couple of years though, I have read quite a few good non-fiction books that have ended up being both entertaining and enlightening.
The Shadow of the Sun is certainly not 'entertaining'. What it is, is at times poetical, amusing, and more often than not, dark.
Is there hope for an Africa where even animals struggle to survive, where crazed maniacs can seize power at the drop of a hat, where a large hole in the road - which Kapuscinski compares to evil itself - becomes the source of a thriving economy?
The vastness, beauty and steadfastness of the land and its people are stunning, but its very diversity and size assist in the establishment of corrupt structures. Hopefully things are much better now in the 21st century but this book made me realise how ignorant I am of this large continent, and I should really remedy that...
Two minor criticisms: because this book is a series of essays strung together, there are repeated images/ facts across different chapters; also, the translation seems slightly awkward at times.
More serious criticism and a fascinating overview of the writer's life is available at wikpedia.org.
As an avid reader of fiction, I have always found reading non-fiction a bit of a chore. I say this guiltily as well because I suspect that my faculty for entering another world is at least partially borne of a desire for escapism. Reading non-fiction makes me feel rather inadequate, and I see it more as a mentally salubrious rather than as an enjoyable activity.
Over the past couple of years though, I have read quite a few good non-fiction books that have ended up being both entertaining and enlightening.
The Shadow of the Sun is certainly not 'entertaining'. What it is, is at times poetical, amusing, and more often than not, dark.
Is there hope for an Africa where even animals struggle to survive, where crazed maniacs can seize power at the drop of a hat, where a large hole in the road - which Kapuscinski compares to evil itself - becomes the source of a thriving economy?
The vastness, beauty and steadfastness of the land and its people are stunning, but its very diversity and size assist in the establishment of corrupt structures. Hopefully things are much better now in the 21st century but this book made me realise how ignorant I am of this large continent, and I should really remedy that...
Two minor criticisms: because this book is a series of essays strung together, there are repeated images/ facts across different chapters; also, the translation seems slightly awkward at times.
More serious criticism and a fascinating overview of the writer's life is available at wikpedia.org.
nyssahhhh's review
5.0
Started August 23, 2009.
Kapuscinski is a genius with words. Simply beautiful.
Kapuscinski is a genius with words. Simply beautiful.