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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I am so conflicted on this one. I find the setting super fascinating, but inevitably really, really problematic (Kenya, 1920s, centering on the community of white colonials). The main character - who is very Phryne Fisher-like, minus the mystery-solving - has some really terrific qualities, but can also be intensely frustrating and the voice sometimes grates. And it takes a very melodramatic turn in the last quarter, which I'm pretty ambivalent about. But I also was rushing to finish it and it made me smile and cry and I closed it feeling very satisfied. So yeah: conflicted.
But I am putting the other non-Lady Julia Raybourn books I have to the top of the to-read pile, for what it's worth.
But I am putting the other non-Lady Julia Raybourn books I have to the top of the to-read pile, for what it's worth.
This book was so disappointing. I love Raybourn's "Julia Grey" series, but there wasn't much I liked about this book. I didn't like any of the characters, and I wasn't rooting for any of the relationships. You can make likable flawed characters, but every character in this book was straight-up unlikable. I especially didn't like Ryder - he did some good things throughout the story, but I'm never going to like a character whose introduction includes him violently whipping his neighbor in public.
I also felt like the way the whole book treated Africa/Africans was a bit much. It was probably accurate for the time period in which the book takes place, but I think she could have toned down the "mystical savages" tone that was prevalent throughout. The general plot was okay, and I do like Raybourn's writing, but I don't have any other positive things to say about this book.
I also felt like the way the whole book treated Africa/Africans was a bit much. It was probably accurate for the time period in which the book takes place, but I think she could have toned down the "mystical savages" tone that was prevalent throughout. The general plot was okay, and I do like Raybourn's writing, but I don't have any other positive things to say about this book.
This book was very well put together.
Delilah is a 1920s play-girl. For her escapades, she is banished to the English colony of Kenya with her poor relation cousin Dora.
Ms. Raybourn brilliantly weaves a tale which juxtaposes the life of the English transplants against the African natives and wilderness. It is a harsh land which brings with it harsh lessons. I enjoyed reading about Delilah falling in love with the African Savannah and learning about herself while doing so.
Delilah is a 1920s play-girl. For her escapades, she is banished to the English colony of Kenya with her poor relation cousin Dora.
Ms. Raybourn brilliantly weaves a tale which juxtaposes the life of the English transplants against the African natives and wilderness. It is a harsh land which brings with it harsh lessons. I enjoyed reading about Delilah falling in love with the African Savannah and learning about herself while doing so.
Delilah Drummond has created one scandal too many with her refusal to return the jewels of her third husband after his suicide. To quiet the scandal, her family sends her to Africa to stay at Fairlight, the estate of her stepfather.
Upon her arrival, she witnesses one Brit horsewhipping another only to find out that the whipper is her ride to the estate. Ryder proves to be an enigma throughout the book-- a safari guide with a heart for conservation, a romancer who refuses her--yet, they continue to find common ground. When she fires the estate manager, Delilah kicks off a series of events that could have devastating consequences for the people around her. Ultimately, Delilah recognizes herself in Africa--fragile and resilient where life is dangerous and painful but also joyous and full. An awesome first book of the year!
Upon her arrival, she witnesses one Brit horsewhipping another only to find out that the whipper is her ride to the estate. Ryder proves to be an enigma throughout the book-- a safari guide with a heart for conservation, a romancer who refuses her--yet, they continue to find common ground. When she fires the estate manager, Delilah kicks off a series of events that could have devastating consequences for the people around her. Ultimately, Delilah recognizes herself in Africa--fragile and resilient where life is dangerous and painful but also joyous and full. An awesome first book of the year!
Full of achingly beautiful descriptions of a time and place now gone. This book allows readers to believe in redemption, in strength and in fragility, in friendship, love, and inevitable heartbreak.
**3.5**
This was not a typical read for me in that the heroine was a complex character with many shades of (dark) gray. She's been married three times and she is unusually open and free with her sexuality given the time period. Which I fully support except for the fact that that extends to things like sleeping with her remarried ex-husband. So...adultery. Besides that though she is a strong, capable, independent, slightly damaged woman.
So scandal surrounding the suicide of her third husband sends Delilah to Africa until things settle down. And this book is the story of how Delilah falls in love with Africa (and Ryder White). This book is an ode to Africa. Raybourn paints an evocative picture of an Africa that no longer exists. A dangerous, yet beautiful place, Africa in the 1920's was an yet untamed place until colonial rule where you would mix with many local tribes and death by wild animal was a distinct possibility.
As complex characters there were things I liked about Delilah and Ryder and things I definitely didn't. For example Delilah's sleeping with married men (though she always maintained her never betrayed her own wedlock) and once Ryder's threat to rape her (empty though it was). While I didn't necessarily find much to relate to with either of them (their experiences being so far outside my own), I did like them for the most part. And Ryder was the perfect compliment to Delilah. With the exception of that one instance, Ryder was definitely a swoon-worthy book boyfriend.
Delilah is forced to face many things about herself that she had been studiously avoiding so this book is also a story of healing. Delilah is slightly damaged, as many of her interactions with others demonstrate. And Africa and Ryder make her confront some of the things that haunt her.
There is a mild mystery here as well, but the whodunit is secondary to everything else going on so I would in no way consider this a mystery (which was fine by me).
This was not a typical read for me in that the heroine was a complex character with many shades of (dark) gray. She's been married three times and she is unusually open and free with her sexuality given the time period. Which I fully support except for the fact that that extends to things like sleeping with her remarried ex-husband. So...adultery. Besides that though she is a strong, capable, independent, slightly damaged woman.
So scandal surrounding the suicide of her third husband sends Delilah to Africa until things settle down. And this book is the story of how Delilah falls in love with Africa (and Ryder White). This book is an ode to Africa. Raybourn paints an evocative picture of an Africa that no longer exists. A dangerous, yet beautiful place, Africa in the 1920's was an yet untamed place until colonial rule where you would mix with many local tribes and death by wild animal was a distinct possibility.
As complex characters there were things I liked about Delilah and Ryder and things I definitely didn't. For example Delilah's sleeping with married men (though she always maintained her never betrayed her own wedlock) and once Ryder's threat to rape her (empty though it was). While I didn't necessarily find much to relate to with either of them (their experiences being so far outside my own), I did like them for the most part. And Ryder was the perfect compliment to Delilah. With the exception of that one instance, Ryder was definitely a swoon-worthy book boyfriend.
Delilah is forced to face many things about herself that she had been studiously avoiding so this book is also a story of healing. Delilah is slightly damaged, as many of her interactions with others demonstrate. And Africa and Ryder make her confront some of the things that haunt her.
There is a mild mystery here as well, but the whodunit is secondary to everything else going on so I would in no way consider this a mystery (which was fine by me).
It's 1923 in Colonial Kenya and a scandalous young socialite is sent there to rusticate until her latest misbehavior is forgotten. As always in fiction though, there is far more good and strength to Delilah than appears at first, even nobility.
The love story plot here is superficially between Delilah and Ryder, a Canadian hunter and guide, who loves Africa to his soul. The real love story is that of Delilah and Africa, something she can only admit once she let's go of her ghosts and stops punishing herself.
While at times the characters and their actions were too contemporary for the historical period of the book, I thought the setting was particularly rich and evocative. I could almost smell the animals, see the red dust raised by the vehicles, hear the hyenas, and taste the smokey tea. Not since reading 'Deadly Safari' by Karin McQuillen have I read something pushing me to book a safari.
I read this as my book with a season in title (summer) for the 2017 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge.
The love story plot here is superficially between Delilah and Ryder, a Canadian hunter and guide, who loves Africa to his soul. The real love story is that of Delilah and Africa, something she can only admit once she let's go of her ghosts and stops punishing herself.
While at times the characters and their actions were too contemporary for the historical period of the book, I thought the setting was particularly rich and evocative. I could almost smell the animals, see the red dust raised by the vehicles, hear the hyenas, and taste the smokey tea. Not since reading 'Deadly Safari' by Karin McQuillen have I read something pushing me to book a safari.
I read this as my book with a season in title (summer) for the 2017 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge.
You must read this book. This is a novel that lingers with you after you turn the last page. It is lyrical and harsh and lovely. It evokes the Africa of Hemmingway and the spirit of the Lost Generation.
Delilah Drummond is a heroine with hidden depths. She is a woman I liked instantly, even though from the beginning she was not your typical heroine, and perhaps shouldn't even be likeable. She seemingly parties too hard, flits from man to man without a second thought, and doesn't have any pride in her family name. However, as the story progresses we see the reasons for the things she has done, and that Delilah is more complex and a better person than her party girl facade let's on.
All of the characters in A Spear of Summer Grass are vividly drawn and memorable. The descriptions of Africa are luscious and made me feel like I was there. I could not put it down.
Delilah Drummond is a heroine with hidden depths. She is a woman I liked instantly, even though from the beginning she was not your typical heroine, and perhaps shouldn't even be likeable. She seemingly parties too hard, flits from man to man without a second thought, and doesn't have any pride in her family name. However, as the story progresses we see the reasons for the things she has done, and that Delilah is more complex and a better person than her party girl facade let's on.
All of the characters in A Spear of Summer Grass are vividly drawn and memorable. The descriptions of Africa are luscious and made me feel like I was there. I could not put it down.
I did not enjoy the characters or their views or the narration.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Colonisation, Classism
This book was wonderful! Perfect amount of character, intrigue, and romance. No one was perfect (my biggest complaint of the genre) and the ending was unique. The language throughout the book was beautiful. I have a few criticisms of course. More on that after the book club meeting