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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
You know how kids will sometimes go to a soda fountain, and mix Sprite, Coke, Dr. Pepper, and Pepsi, all of which taste fine on their own, but the combination is not so hot? That's how I feel about this book.
This book is a little bit romance, a little bit historical fiction/cultural exploration, a little bit mystery. All things fine on their own, but trying to pack them all in to one book, imho, didn't work too well.
This book is a little bit romance, a little bit historical fiction/cultural exploration, a little bit mystery. All things fine on their own, but trying to pack them all in to one book, imho, didn't work too well.
One of the most beautiful books I have read in a while. I devoured it in two nights. Rather than depressing me with the troubles & trials of Africa, I found myself seduced for the first time by the savannah, the wild and dangerous life that was once lived there. A perfect summer book; I will try to dip back in it some hot afternoon, while lying in the hammock, & imagining I'm in Africa.
This was such a good story. I didn't expect to like it this much as it takes place in the 1920s and everyone is so over the top with drinking, sex and drugs. Yes there was that but more than that was there was Africa. author:Deanna Raybourn|156327] made Africa real and she didn't leave anything out even the ugliest of ugly. This story came all together embracing it all and it couldn't have been a better story. I would love to see this made into a movie.
I am absolutely in love with this book. It has definitely become one of my favorite books.
Like many of the other reviewers have pointed out, this book is a hot mess. While I love Raybourn's descriptions of Africa, the actual narrative is disorganized and lacking in direction while the characters are underdeveloped cliches. The book is often offensive in the way that it portrays rape and spousal abuse. I was particularly disturbed when Raybourn supposed hero threatens to rape Delilah after she refuses his advance. Delilah found the threat a huge turn on - WTF! While women certainly like alpha males, I've never met a real woman who went "oh you just threatened to violate me 6 different ways and leave my body for hyenas, sexy!"
I picked this up knowing that it wouldn't be the most historically accurate book I've ever read - and it sure wasn't. It is very much the definition of frothy summer reading. The part that disappointed me the most was the barely fleshed-out connection between the protagonist and her love interest - they're antagonistic, but then they're also very maudlin and tender to each other, but then, they also claim to not be able to live without the other - all within the span of the first meeting. Too much, too soon, and then the book never builds on that too muchness, letting this really unbelievable connection stand as a given throughout the rest of the book. Overall, ok, but not as good as the Lady Julia Grey series.
3.5 stars
I've been reading Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey books since the beginning and looked forward to this standalone quite a bit. Unfortunately, while the Lady Julia books are a large dose of mystery with a side of romance, this one was much more romance, which isn't really my preference. I did enjoy the writing style, especially the descriptions of Africa--the animals, the scenery--she really painted a picture with words. While some pieces seemed like a bit too much 20/20 hindsight, ie: lamenting killing the animals over concerns about overhunting, the descriptions of Africa were my favorite portions of the book.
I've been reading Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey books since the beginning and looked forward to this standalone quite a bit. Unfortunately, while the Lady Julia books are a large dose of mystery with a side of romance, this one was much more romance, which isn't really my preference. I did enjoy the writing style, especially the descriptions of Africa--the animals, the scenery--she really painted a picture with words. While some pieces seemed like a bit too much 20/20 hindsight, ie: lamenting killing the animals over concerns about overhunting, the descriptions of Africa were my favorite portions of the book.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a slow moving romance novel with Africa. I would have loved to read it on vacation.
Beautiful, magical, and moving. Fierce leading lady with a weakness for married men and gin straight from the bottle - what's not to love?