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Wow. Lots of thoughts on this book so far. I read it what seems like weeks ago now, but I've been away without time check in. I was at the Peace on Earth Film Festival in Chicago for 4 days. It was great!
Prior to reading the book I had only heard a little of the authorship controversy and frankly, didn't care much while reading it. But a few good points have been made, most notably that there’s something misleading at best if the book was promoted in 83 (I didn’t know this) casting Markham as feminist icon. I feel a little less duped by 2nd hand descriptions of Africa from someone who hadn’t been there simply because I think whoever wrote them got them right.
This bugged me: “ I couldn’t help wondering what Africa would have been like if such physique as these Kavirondo had were coupled with equal intelligence — or perhaps I should say with cunning equal to that of their white brethren.”
Just in terms of the general reading experience I’d have to say that I really enjoyed all the passages that involved Beryl flying or learning to fly. I also liked her relationship with Tom. But, I wasn’t prepared for the long passages about the training and racing of horses. I was just plain bored through most of that.
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