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dobbydoo22's review against another edition
3.0
If you want a good African travelogue, read Paul Theroux's 'Dark Star Safari.' This one honestly doesn't hold a candle to it, but the alternating perspective between Grogan's original journey, Smith's retracing, and flashbacks to Smith's life in the U.S. keep the narrative dynamic enough to pull you along through the book.
kinreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Surprisingly romantic & incredibly interesting! Happened to read the chapter about Rwanda when in Rwanda - absolutely magical.
indianajane's review against another edition
2.0
The parts about the actual travel were interesting. The incessant naval gazing of an immature American male over his relationship with his fiance, not so much.
mountie9's review against another edition
3.0
The Good Stuff
* Fascinating and unusual story
* Loved how the story goes back and forth from Julian's journey to Grogan's - even if Julian's journey isn't as harrowing, but was impressed with Julian's honesty and emotional growth
* Historical information interspersed within the story, and done in such an intriguing and interesting way
* Grogan was a fascinating man and would be interested in reading more about him
* Mentions one of my favorite movies "The African Queen" and I learned a little more about the facts that inspired the book - must go watch again this weekend - I LOVE that movie!
* Enjoyed Julian's description of his experience with the Gorilla's
* Julian travels through Rwanda and discusses his experiences and how the country has changed since the horrific events of the genocide.
The Not so Good Stuff
* It was a little dry at times
* Seriously disturbed and grossed out during the scenes with the Cannibals
* The story of Grogan is so fascinating and mesmerizing that Julian's journey sort of pales in comparison
* I know it was the time, but I still can't understand why men feel the need to stalk and kill such majestic animals as Lions and Elephants
* Cannibals -- sorry that description was nasty!
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Vicious animals, biblical weather, ferocious native tribes, incurable diseases unknown to science. There were more ways to die in Africa than there were crocodiles in her rivers on lions on her savannahs."
"Grogan thought missionaries upset Africa's traditional cultures more than they helped. Such men should be caged, or at least prevented from running loose amongst the natives."
"I think of Bogart and Hepburn at the end of The African Queen, getting married by the captain of the Luisa, the fictional version of the Graf van Gotzen. They're about to be hung as spies by the Germans, but they're beaming. What matters is that they're being joined forever, even if their lives are about to end. Romeo and Juliet, Heathcliff and Catherine, Roxanne and Cyrano--death always seems to shadow true love in fiction, as if the only way to earn the perfect partner is by paying the ultimate price."
What I Learned
* I accidentally requested this one, and wasn't really into reading it, but was pleasantly surprised
* Tons of fascinating historical information about Africa
* How horrific the AIDS problem is in Africa
Who should/shouldn't read
* I would recommend that you read this one over a period of time in order to enjoy it more
* Fans of travel memoirs will enjoy
3.5 Dewey's
I received this from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review -- don't remember requesting it, bet you I put the X in the wrong spot ; )
* Fascinating and unusual story
* Loved how the story goes back and forth from Julian's journey to Grogan's - even if Julian's journey isn't as harrowing, but was impressed with Julian's honesty and emotional growth
* Historical information interspersed within the story, and done in such an intriguing and interesting way
* Grogan was a fascinating man and would be interested in reading more about him
* Mentions one of my favorite movies "The African Queen" and I learned a little more about the facts that inspired the book - must go watch again this weekend - I LOVE that movie!
* Enjoyed Julian's description of his experience with the Gorilla's
* Julian travels through Rwanda and discusses his experiences and how the country has changed since the horrific events of the genocide.
The Not so Good Stuff
* It was a little dry at times
* Seriously disturbed and grossed out during the scenes with the Cannibals
* The story of Grogan is so fascinating and mesmerizing that Julian's journey sort of pales in comparison
* I know it was the time, but I still can't understand why men feel the need to stalk and kill such majestic animals as Lions and Elephants
* Cannibals -- sorry that description was nasty!
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Vicious animals, biblical weather, ferocious native tribes, incurable diseases unknown to science. There were more ways to die in Africa than there were crocodiles in her rivers on lions on her savannahs."
"Grogan thought missionaries upset Africa's traditional cultures more than they helped. Such men should be caged, or at least prevented from running loose amongst the natives."
"I think of Bogart and Hepburn at the end of The African Queen, getting married by the captain of the Luisa, the fictional version of the Graf van Gotzen. They're about to be hung as spies by the Germans, but they're beaming. What matters is that they're being joined forever, even if their lives are about to end. Romeo and Juliet, Heathcliff and Catherine, Roxanne and Cyrano--death always seems to shadow true love in fiction, as if the only way to earn the perfect partner is by paying the ultimate price."
What I Learned
* I accidentally requested this one, and wasn't really into reading it, but was pleasantly surprised
* Tons of fascinating historical information about Africa
* How horrific the AIDS problem is in Africa
Who should/shouldn't read
* I would recommend that you read this one over a period of time in order to enjoy it more
* Fans of travel memoirs will enjoy
3.5 Dewey's
I received this from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review -- don't remember requesting it, bet you I put the X in the wrong spot ; )
mari_books's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
At face value this book is about Julian Smith recreating Victorian explorer Grogon's journey through Africa and relating to his struggles with love and commitment. If you are looking for a nuanced take on Victorian expansion in Africa or modern day (early 2000's) travel through Africa this certainly isn't it. But, what I did enjoy about this book was the narration style and how Smith uses Grogon's diaries and journals to create wildly vivid scenes. Every few pages the story switches from Smith's adventure to Grogon's diary. Enjoyable and quick read, easy to put down and pick back up (I read on my commute). I do wish that Smith talked less about his own relationship but... it was pretty predictable stuff so I didn't mind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Blood, Murder, and War
nycsquirrel's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Julian Smith copies the travels from South Africa-ish to Cairo-ish that Ewart Grogan did a the end of the 19th century over 3 years, and Smith does it in 2 months...which is a bit ridiculous. He's essentially racing against time and dismissing the people and culture of the countries he flies through. He frames it around Grogan's purpose of proving himself to his fiance, so Smith details his own romance, which is just a series of tales of him screwing it all up. Meanwhile, Grogan's tales are related in such over the top heroics that it's hard to swallow. Not terrible, but not terribly engaging.
sshabein's review against another edition
4.0
Smith weaves Grogan and his tale together seamlessly between chapters, doing an excellent job of making Grogan's experiences seem just as present as his own.
I love to hear people's individual stories over a more detached perspective. Grogan's story interests me before a research paper on African exploration and imperialism would. Still, even Grogan's story on its own might not have been enough without having Smith's journey entwined with the narrative. It's an honest, though not overly heavy read, and though we know that both parties get married in the end, it's easy to forget that during all the moments of suspense. I highly recommend Crossing's brand of informative wanderlust.
(My full review can be found on Glorified Love Letters.)
I love to hear people's individual stories over a more detached perspective. Grogan's story interests me before a research paper on African exploration and imperialism would. Still, even Grogan's story on its own might not have been enough without having Smith's journey entwined with the narrative. It's an honest, though not overly heavy read, and though we know that both parties get married in the end, it's easy to forget that during all the moments of suspense. I highly recommend Crossing's brand of informative wanderlust.
(My full review can be found on Glorified Love Letters.)