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Evocative novel about life in Kenya

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Jo W

April 13, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I liked the way that, alongside the maturing of its characters, this novel became substantial as it progressed. The changing consciousness of the two boys, and of all the main protagonists, is very well captured. Life becomes how it is lived, no longer subject to idealistic ideas or aspirations (black or white). Everyone has their certainties dented by lived experience and what is, in the end, shared is a rounded human life.

Undoubtedly, much of the novel's power lies in the descriptions of landscape and wild life. You have an accurate and observant eye, but record with great feeling. I like this huge feeling you have towards Kenya - the sweep of Rift Valley with its soda lakes and birds and remote places - such as Baringo and Turkana and Magadi. And the Coast with its coral beaches, crabs, cowries, bougainvillea, palms and bandas. The awful roads and perilous shanty towns and everyone jostling to make a living. It's impressive - the casual but tough life lived by Caroline and her fellow citizens. "Breath of Africa", as a novel, amounts to a substantial hymn of joy to Kenya.

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Take a deep breath of Africa

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Julie Lake

March 27, 2013

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A thoroughly enjoyable read. Like the author, I was raised in Kenya and can relate to many of the characters and incidents in this book. The story, for the most part, deals with Africa in the post-colonial era and shows the complexities of life and relationships in a developing nation. Here, the star-crossed lovers have to try and overcome a racial and cultural divide as deep and wide as the Rift Valley itself, and how they go about this is the very heart of the book. Those who have lived in Kenya, or visited it, will find joy as I did in reliving the sites and scents and sounds of that wondrous country. Those who have never been there will find themselves transported by the felicity of Jane Bwye's evocation to the wide, game-filled plains and great mountains and deep forests and lovely seacoast that make Kenya such a special place. Along the way you will meet valiant Caroline and ambitious Charles, doomed Brian and tragic Teresa, kind Boney and malevolent Mwangi and all the other characters that bring Breath of Africa to life.
A Garden in Africa

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September 29, 2016

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Way too much emphasis on the "tale of love" and not nearly enough on the political situation. Characters seemed to just "drift along" rather than being developed. How three very different people reconnected as adults was strained. Sometimes just a travelogue in obviously beautiful areas of the country. I found "the climb" really unbelievable. No one does that without significant training beyond walking one's own land.

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July 4, 2013

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As an ex-Kenyan who lived there around the time this book was set I loved it's honesty and authenticity. Better than that it was impossible to put down. The descriptions were rich and evocative and the characters complex yet it is very easy reading. I can't wait for the author's next book.

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who has put curses on people they love.

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G. Polley

October 17, 2014

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A captivating novel about the last days of British dominance in Kenya and the early years of Kenya's independence. I was captivated from the first page to the last with this story. Caroline and Teresa, two friends finding themselves caught up in romance, intrigue, adventure and violence as the life they have known unravels around them. Most frightening of all is the Kikuyu man Mwangi, who has put curses on people they love.

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Paprika

Beautiful and credible

September 26, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book has taught me a lot about Kenyan history while I enjoyed the life and romance of the main character. The most interesting part of the story was the Mau Mau's curse and the secret cave.

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Having grown up in Kenya and amongst the various cultures ...

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Mick Rineer

July 27, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Having grown up in Kenya and amongst the various cultures, I found Jane Bwye's story telling to be accurate, fascinating and engaging. The issue of identity continues to be one that challenges all colours of Africans.

The style of writing made this any easy to read story

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Claire S

The style of writing made this any easy to read story. However, I did find that there were a lot of names to keep up with at times and it jumped about a lot.Read more

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this is a difficult book to rate and review. There is an incredible story spanning a generation, with important historical events interspersed, but it felt to me as if there was...Read more

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