Tuesday 20 April 2010

I'm reading...


For someone who hopes to one day write a fiction bestseller and retire on the proceeds ;-) I sometimes read awfully little fiction. The latest non-fiction goodie to find its way onto my bedside table, courtesy of my friend C, is Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town. It tells the story of veteran travel writer and ex-resident of Malawi, Paul Theroux, traversing Africa from north to south by means of pretty much anything other than planes (dugouts, rickety trains, you name it) and it makes a really interesting read. However, if you're looking for the romantic 'out of Africa' experience, forget it, this book is pretty gritty and the author does not mince his words when chucking bucketloads of disdain at all the do-gooder aid companies who think they're helping the continent, but who he actually accuses of throwing it further into despair and dependence on charity. You'll never look at Bono in the same way again ;-) He also sneers quite a bit at safari-goers and their privelaged somewhat unreal view of Africa - still, no amount of sneering is going to make me chalk going on safari off my '100 things to do before I die list'.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

that sounds really interesting! I also like non fiction books (specially (auto) biographies) - but unfortunately since I am a mum, I haven't got the time to read. Let alone going into a bookshop haha (not that there are that many here!!) I saw you have Ken Follett's World without End on your list - it has to be my favour author - have read all his books! Just love them.

Nadya said...

Hi Babs, yes, World Without End was totally gripping as was The Pillars of the Earth! Haven't read anything else of his so let me know if you have any recommendations. There aren't many English-language bookshops here either... so I rely mainly on Amazon. Do they deliver to Jordan? x

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