Customer Reviews

African Nights: True Stories from the Author of I Dreamed of Africa

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If you are one who often dreams of Africa, then you've probably heard of Kuki Gallman, a brave woman who begins her 2nd memoir with those very words: "I was born in Italy, and from earliest childhood I dreamed of Africa." African Nights, the sequel to I Dreamed of Africa (now a movie in which Kim Bassinger stars), is a reverent anthology about the author's experiences in Kenya. In her first book, readers learned of her life tragedies--her husband's fatal plane crash and her son's death from a poisonous pet snake's bite. The stories in African Nights take place afterwards and illustrate a venerable woman's courage in the face of the wild and beautiful East Africa. Stories such as "Elephant Ballad," "Night of the Lions," and "The Brigadier's Cheetah" pay tribute to the glory of African animals and homage to the humans they encounter. But these are more than stereotypical animal tales set in beautiful Kenya. "A Maasai Woman," one of the most original stories in the book, recreates an afternoon Ms. Gallman spends with the woman in her boma (compound). In less than six pages the author authentically presents a wealth of obscure tribal custom. Sure, most of us never give Africa a second imaginative thought beyond the hackneyed portrayal of the lone warrior with his spear or herds of zebras running from lions. What makes Ms. Gallman's writing unique in the nature writing genre is her deeply religious connection to our African heritage and a poetic ease for sharing it. After reading this book, you may feel that you have breathed the perfume of tropical herbs while hearing the bass vibrations of elepants in a deep green distance. Or you may end up going to Africa to know the Garden of Eden for yourself. If not, this book offers pleasure and wisdom for loving Africa and Africans as the author surely does.

I understand that Mrs. Gallmann's writing style and in fact, even her stories, are not suited to everyone's tastes. But I also feel that the basis for some of these reviews is quite ridiculous. The spelling "errors"? Oddly enough, these are likely not errors, simply European takes on English words. People seem to forget the Kuki is an Italian and, therefore, not necessarily keen to Americanized spellings. The editor likely saw no need to alter these words as they are easily understood either way and, in fact, I myself have seen the words that the reviewer was referring to written in the same manner before. A mild complaint at best, I would say.

I also fail to understand the reasoning behind the anti-colonial reviews written mainly by a few North Americans. I believe we are the last people who should be allowed to speak of colonialism. True, Kuki may be just another white colonial in Africa, a land that has had its fair share of problems in that department. But, she has also done more to bring focus to that country and make the stories of this vast and beautiful continent/country known to the rest of us. Who cares where she has garnered her money from? She obviously comes from a quite wealthy family and she runs a major organization and has worked dutifully on her FARM (yes, it is a farm, remember that. They state explicitly that they have sold livestock from very early on) for close to 30 years.

Alas, not everyone can see the simplistic beauty in her words. A true poet does not have to conform to the normal style of writing. (don't forget - the last few "tales" in "African Nights" were taken directly from her diary - even if words are misspelled, perhaps the misspellings were left in for authenticity's sake). Kuki is an incredibly descriptive writer and I find myself yearning to read more. As I stated in my review for "I Dreamed of Africa," I have been fortunate enough to have brief contact with Mrs. Gallmann herself and found her as truthful as she is in her storytelling.

So, ignore the negative reviews and take a step into this incredible woman's life.

This collection of short stories is exquisitely written, accurately and magically depicting the sounds, smells, sights, and feelings of life and all its struggles and joys in Kenya. Her stories and descriptions brought me back physically, emotionally, and spiritually to the land and people I love. I savoured each chapter and bought my ticket back to Kenya mid-book. I tell my friends if they want to understand why I am drawn to Kenya, to read this book. It is profound and delightful!

How she does it I don't know. She's incredible, seeing beauty in everything, painting vivid pictures for all to delight in. Presuming it to be only remnants from her perfect book I Dreamed of Africa, I doubted the caliber of this work. I was skeptical but willing - but Gallmann has proved that everything she touches illuminates in melodious detail. Whether it is the amplification of a salmon pink sky, silhouettes at dusk, a tree that appears imbued with knowledge, or a night sky saturated with the sounds that are Africa, Kuki's awareness and ensuing stories are exceptional - encroaching inspirational. There is something in every story that appeals to heart and soul. I almost wanted to frame each story separately as if it were a sapphire or quartz rarity, explicit, precious and real. I'm so impressed by her writing and the lighted manner in which she takes in Africa. It's wonderful.

I liked this book.

Well At first when I was looking up her book "African Nights" all I saw was bad reviews ,well I bought it anyways and was hoping it would be just has good has "I Dreamed of Africa" and all I have to say is thank god I did not go by what other people said I Love the book "African Nights" and I love her "I Dreamed of Africa" so all i have to say is i hope she comes out with another book becuase i am waiting.

Before purchasing this book, I had seen the movie "I Dreamed of Africa" and subsequently purchased Kuki Gallman's first book, of the same title, eager for more detail of the life of this extraordinary woman. I found that book so intriguing, I searched for its counterpart, "African Nights". At first, I was frightened by the negative reviews given the novel (on this site especially) by such pompous and arrogant "critics" as Ed Gibbon (See Review Below) that I was tempted not to ruin the pleasant feelings still held by "I Dreamed of Africa". Luckily, I cast caution to the wind, bought the book, and found myself (once again) wrapped in Kuki's spell, immersed in her world and sharing her experiences with surprising fellowship. To date, I have read each book twice, and seen the movie 4 times. Kuki's life is an amazing testament to what we should all hope to achieve. And I will agree with Ed Gibbon when they make a movie out of HIS life.

Some of these non-fiction tales are moving and lyrical, but I found it increasingly difficult to identify with the narrator's point-of-view. Gallmann is a wealthy European cattle rancher in Kenya, and a self-described environmentalist and conservationist. Yet Gallmann proudly describes her husband's game hunting and fishing exploits; has a lion shot because it may have killed some of her cattle, writing that she "had no choice"; allows her large dogs to range free in small packs, fighting with hyenas and other wildlife; and casually discusses having her African employees catapult large stones at elephants who are attempting to eat the cabbage in her private garden. There is never a hint nor suggestion that Gallmann and her European friends' lifestyles (such as cattle ranching) contribute in any way to Africa's need for conservation, nor that these wealthy Europeans contribute to any of Africa's woes. Gallmann does not come off as an insensitive person - just one with tremendous and obvious cultural blinders on.

I did volunteer work at Kuki's Ol Ari Nyrio in 11/07 and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I also had dinner with Kuki and she is an artist- attentive, creative, intelligent, and misses nothing. Africa is a place like no other-you cannot expect the norm - truth is always more interesting & stranger than fiction, remember. Kuki is an amazing person and the work she has done for the people & animals in the area, without spoiling the natural habitat or trying to change the people's ways, is well told. The death of her son and husband, so tragic, has led her to different levels in life, where so much work has been done for the good of generations to come. Read her books-they are wonderful!

When I finished this book, I felt I had learned something, or perhaps been reminded of something I already knew. What struck me was the author's capacity to love, to suffer, and ultimately to find strength and see the beauty in her experiences. I admire this woman's spirit and her unique spirituality. The connection that she finds with the land and the animals and the people that pass through her life make me think, "wow, that is a life well-lived and worth reading about."

My family and I visited Kenya last year and were utterly overwhelmed by the experience. Following that trip we read several books on Africa and amongst them was firstly "I dreamed of Africa" and latterly "African Nights". On a subsequent trip to Oman, I was reading the former book on the plane and had to stop, lest the flight attendants and fellow passengers witness me breaking down in tears. (Kuki's words at her son's funeral service). The spirit and the eloquence of her writing and indeed of her very experiences touched our hearts deeply. So much so that we traveled this year (August 2007) to Likepia, to her 'ranch' (now a conservation area), as a kind of pilgrimage to an Africa that has mostly vanished, swallowed up in commercialism, in over-grazing and exploitation. What did we find? An incredibly special place where conservation efforts harmonise with nature; where people are valued. Where students from all over the world come to research 'projects', encouraged by the owner of the land - Kuki. We met a variety of people, both African and otherwise. Pokot Tribespeople. Belgium guides. Eastern European Photographers. Kenyan Musicians. Village children at the custom built school... An eclectic mix of people with a common passion - for Africa, for its people and for its land. All inspired by one person. An author of two books.

The grammar in Kuki's second book may, according to several reviews, not be immaculate or even American, but given the life that Kuki has led, and indeed continues to lead, I believe that people should simply get past such utterly insignificant details and try to feel the reality that the author describes.

Kuki tells her story her way, and obviously leads her life her way. She has suffered loss and tragedy, but this is an author who has 'moved on', in control of her destiny and embracing change with a passion and an artistry that the vast majority of us could not hope to emulate.

Perhaps her sentences may be deemed a bit long by some. But when she describes a vignette of her family, of Africa.... you are there with her: With her husband at the coast. With her son catching snakes by the lake... And in being there through her writing, you are actually the closest you'll likely come to a very special part of Africa. A part that isn't on the tourist trail. A part that is rapidly encroached by charcoal burning; by agriculture, by population explosion. But a part that is still home to both Elephant and to Lion and to a very special community.

Put criticism of grammar or sentence structure behind you. These matters do not rate for much in the overall tapestry of life. And it is that tapestry that Kuki so artfully weaves, allowing you to enter her world, and become a part of her life by doing so.