Jan Brokken's compelling account of his journey to one of the world's most mysterious and remote countries -- Gabon in Central Africa -- following in the footsteps of such famous Europeans as Stanley and Schweitzer.
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Gabon: Even if you need a dictionary to define it, an atlas index to find it, or don't think you'll ever go there, you can still read this book. It has the voice of great storytelling, of traveler's tales, the kinds exchanged late at night or over breakfast in the nooks and crannies of places. If Gabon is already the reader's passion, this book will provide good company for a journey. Dutch author, Brokken, interweaves his adventures and perceptions with those of traveler's who went before him: Georges Simenon, Paul Belloni du Chaillu, Paul Crampel, Count Brazza, Henry Morton Stanley, Albert Schweitzer, and Mary Kingsley. His book is a literary tour comprising aspects of of a novel, explorers' accounts, out-of-print gems and a personal tour to test and relive the works he researched. Between the two tours, a slice of Africa lies to tantalize the senses and the imagination. It would have been nice for the book to have included at least a name index, but, in spite of this omission, the charming chapter titles and substantial source list alone are worth the purchase price. Kudos for the translator for recreating character, drama, and literary voice in English. -- From Independent Publisher
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating book on the minutia of Gabon,
This review is from: The Rainbird: A Central African Journey (Paperback)
Admittedly, I am fascinated by books about jungles and Africa. I you are the sort of person who wants to learn more about the colonization and state of affairs in Gabon in the 1960s, this is the book for you. The book is well written. The version that I read is an English translation of a book originally published in Dutch. The book reads well and thus I assume that it is well translated. The author manages a long journey down a major river system in Gabon and meets some interesting people along the way. The characters in the text, either historical figures or individuals encountered by Brokken in his travels in Gabon, come alive and capture the reader's imagination. This is not a book for every reader but if you are interested in arm chair adventure and equatorial Africa, buy this little gem. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding "literary journalism",
This review is from: The Rainbird: A Central African Journey (Paperback)
"The Rainbird: A Central African Journey" by Jan Brokken is an outstanding book. Brokken is a Dutch travel writer and novelist (sort of a Dutch Paul Theroux). He took a trip to Gabon in the 1990's and writes about his experiences, but what's really impressive is his knowledge and presentation of Gabonese history and the historical literature written by people like mystery writer Georges Simenon; explorers like Paul du Chaillu, Count Brazza, Henry Morton Stanley, and Mary Kingsley; physician philosopher Albert Schweitzer; and Gabonese historian Andre Raponda-Walker. Brokken tells the stories of the Gabonese kings and peoples; the conflicts between the coastal and the inland populations; and the 19th century migrations of the Fang (including some interesting ideas on that central African bugaboo, cannibalism). I was a Peace Corps volunteer there. This is probably the most interesting and best written book about Gabon that I have read. Even if you've never been to Gabon, or even Africa, this is a very good and informative mix of travel essay and history. Well worth reading. I very much hope Brokken's other books about Africa will be translated into English.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I cant believe this book isnt more well known!!!,
By Sparks (United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Rainbird: A Central African Journey (Paperback)
I recently became interested in Africa and this definitely satisfied my appetite for the exotic. It's very well written (and well translated) and Im hooked on Gabon now (the loneliest country in the world according to Brokken). I skipped some historical chapters because the author's present day adventures in Gabon are much more interesting. It was a bit disorganized in some places but overall Im happy with it.
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