West With the Night

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Summary: A magical, evocative description of an exceptional life
Review: This book captured my imagination as few have. Ms. Markham's language, simple yet powerful, paints a picture of a landscape, people, and experiences and a lifestyle that is probably gone. Reading this book made me feel as if I had lived some of her experiences. I read it just before going to Botswana on safari -- and a more perfect match could not have been made.

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Summary: delicious
Review: This has to be one of the best books I have ever read. Although I am of the school to believes that it was actually written by a male friend of Markham, I still think this is an extraordinary story. The craft with which this book was written pulls the reader into the story, through her upbringing in Africa, in the bush, as a horse trainer, eventual pilot and transatlantic flyer. The imagery of wild Africa, the natives , the feel of the place, is just georgeous. The story makes you long to experience the truely wild continent, the way it was as she experienced it. Do yourself a literary favor and read this book

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Summary: The book will transport you.
Review: If you are planning a road trip, get the audiocassette (maybe your public library has it) or have the car's passenger read aloud. Beryl is remembering the story of her life, and it is a story meant to be TOLD. Wonderfully evocative description; very absorbing story

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Summary: Well written reference
Review: Although I consider this book to one of the best reads around, I found it more valuable as a cross reference with "out of africa" by Isak Dinesan and "The flame trees of Thika" by Elspeth Huxley. All three books write about the same district and people with different perspectives. Keep in my mind that Beryl's book was ghost written, and a rival of Dinesen. (from what I have read)

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Summary: Pause. Listen to a world we can only dream of.
Review: This book is like a literary time capsule discovered by a bookish archeologist somewhere on the African plain. Markham's memories and observations have been painstakingly crafted into a precise, exquisite prose that immediately lets you know you are in the hands of a consumate story teller. And what a story. Though there is a dispute about whether the prose is Markham's or her third husband's (Raoul Schumacher), it doesn't really matter. The story is a finely crafted gem, each facet reflecting brilliantly an image of a time that has passed (or maybe never really) was. Reading the book, you'd almost think that it couldn't get any better ... until you listen to Alexandra O'Karma's reading. Her cadence, her inflections and everything else about her delivery add a dimension to the story that shouldn't be missed. O'Karma's reading never gets in the way. Instead, the delicate phrases in Markham's narrative are lovingly and gently caressed and brought to life.

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Summary: One of the most beautifully written books I've ever read
Review: I left this book on my shelf for about five years (don't know why), and recently decided it was time to read it. WOW! She made me feel the heat of the Serengeti, the craziness of pioneer aviators, the freedom on the earth and in the air in Africa in the early part of this century, and the beauty of the people, both native and foreign. An exhilarating ride. Read this book!

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Summary: Ghostwriter
Review: This is a great book, no doubt about it. Reading it made my so curious about its author that I read a biography of Beryl Markham (Errol Trzebinski's "The Lives of Beryl Markham"). There I found out that Beryl Markham did not write West With the Night at all but her 3rd husband, the ghostwriter Raoul Schuhmacher. I found this very interesting and it didn't change my mind about West With the Night, just maybe about Markham. And I don't want to spoil it for anybody here! Beryl Markham was an extraordinary woman who lived exclusively by her own standards. Maybe knowing that she did not write "her" book will make you want to know more about her. I just think Raoul Schuhmacher should get some recognition for turning his wife's stories into a work of art.

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Summary: An extraordinary book, is full of poetry and sentiment
Review: Is a book tha must be reading with a pencil several times looking for more literary gems, Meryl paint a woman of another planet. I wonder why she do not write all about his complete life. Every body must read this beatifull book.

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Summary: Completely absorbing, with great humor and pathos. Wow!
Review: One of the very best and most absorbing "reads" that one will ever experience. I recommend it simply to keep it in print, and with the hope that its reading may make every new reader's life a little more fulfilled

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written literature
Review: Although there has been some controversy about the authorship of this fascinating story of Beryl Markham, irrespective, this book represents some of the finest writing one would hope to encounter. It is a beautifully written story of a remarkable life