Africa proved a revelation and a revitalization for the author. Dispirited and in the grip of writer's block, Latham ( Urban Cowboy ) recently took his family on an extended safari as a palliative. In the wildlife parks of Kenya and on a side trip to see the gorillas of Rwanda, he found he was escaping both his old identity and his species; in the presence of the animals, he temporarily became one of them. This account of the family safari is fine travel writing; Latham's experience of Africa is a spellbinding story of self-discovery. When he asked anthropologist Richard Leakey what gives Africa such power, the answer was "genetic memory"--Latham had returned to his first home.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Latham, author of such works as Urban Cowboy (Bantam, 1980), is overcome with diffidence and despair resulting from problems with his writing. As a remedy, he embarks on an exciting journey through Eastern Africa and Rwanda. Traveling with a private guide, Latham visits various parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, observing a multitude of wildlife in their natural habitat. He shares his emotions through beautiful prose and adeptly creates images of the Africa he experienced. His versatility as a writer is evident through the creative fantasy and analogy he employs to illustrate a point. His absorbing text is made interesting with the inclusion of historical anecdotes, cultural observations, and wildlife information. Latham ultimately recaptures his enthusiasm for life, providing readers with the opportunity to explore both captivating countryside as well as the inner workings of a writer's mind. Highly recommended.
- Jo-Anne Mary Benson, Osgoode, Ontario
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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