African Nights : True Stories from the Author of I Dreamed of Africa

Rating:
Summary: Insightful stories of Africa and Abroad
Review: AFRICAN NIGHTS is an interesting and insightful look into the life of Kuki Gallmann. Her memories of Kenya, Italy, England,the United States, and the people and events which have impacted her life are presented in a series of vignettes. I found many of the stories riveting. Gallmann, once again eloquently tells her story.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational Tales of Courage
Review: Before purchasing this book, I had seen the movie "I Dreamed of Africa" and subsequently purchased Kuki Gallman's first book, of the same title, eager for more detail of the life of this extraordinary woman. I found that book so intriguing, I searched for its counterpart, "African Nights". At first, I was frightened by the negative reviews given the novel (on this site especially) by such pompous and arrogant "critics" as Ed Gibbon (See Review Below) that I was tempted not to ruin the pleasant feelings still held by "I Dreamed of Africa". Luckily, I cast caution to the wind, bought the book, and found myself (once again) wrapped in Kuki's spell, immersed in her world and sharing her experiences with surprising fellowship. To date, I have read each book twice, and seen the movie 4 times. Kuki's life is an amazing testament to what we should all hope to achieve. And I will agree with Ed Gibbon when they make a movie out of HIS life.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite as good as I Dreamed of Africa
Review: I read I Dreamed of Africa a few months ago and fell in love with it. It is great. I have alway planned to one day live in Africa and so it was a great inspiration. As soon as I finished it I ordered African Nights. This book of short stories didn't grab me in quite the same way. Some of the stories are fabulous, particularly the last and longest one about a month-long walking trek bringing camels from northern Kenya back to the ranch. Many though focus on the same theme of "happy days" before the death of her son. They tend to be more reminiscing, more descriptive memories, than plot. If you love African wildlife, or have read Kuki's other work and loved it, you'll like this book. If you are going to read only one, though, read I dreamed of Africa.

Rating:
Summary: People Must Understand...
Review: I understand that Mrs. Gallmann's writing style and in fact, even her stories, are not suited to everyone's tastes. But I also feel that the basis for some of these reviews is quite ridiculous. The spelling "errors"? Oddly enough, these are likely not errors, simply European takes on English words. People seem to forget the Kuki is an Italian and, therefore, not necessarily keen to Americanized spellings. The editor likely saw no need to alter these words as they are easily understood either way and, in fact, I myself have seen the words that the reviewer was referring to written in the same manner before. A mild complaint at best, I would say.

I also fail to understand the reasoning behind the anti-colonial reviews written mainly by a few North Americans. I believe we are the last people who should be allowed to speak of colonialism. True, Kuki may be just another white colonial in Africa, a land that has had its fair share of problems in that department. But, she has also done more to bring focus to that country and make the stories of this vast and beautiful continent/country known to the rest of us. Who cares where she has garnered her money from? She obviously comes from a quite wealthy family and she runs a major organization and has worked dutifully on her FARM (yes, it is a farm, remember that. They state explicitly that they have sold livestock from very early on) for close to 30 years.

Alas, not everyone can see the simplistic beauty in her words. A true poet does not have to conform to the normal style of writing. (don't forget - the last few "tales" in "African Nights" were taken directly from her diary - even if words are misspelled, perhaps the misspellings were left in for authenticity's sake). Kuki is an incredibly descriptive writer and I find myself yearning to read more. As I stated in my review for "I Dreamed of Africa," I have been fortunate enough to have brief contact with Mrs. Gallmann herself and found her as truthful as she is in her storytelling.

So, ignore the negative reviews and take a step into this incredible woman's life.

Rating:
Summary: People Must Understand...
Review: I understand that Mrs. Gallmann's writing style and in fact, even her stories, are not suited to everyone's tastes. But I also feel that the basis for some of these reviews is quite ridiculous. The spelling "errors"? Oddly enough, these are likely not errors, simply European takes on English words. People seem to forget the Kuki is an Italian and, therefore, not necessarily keen to Americanized spellings. The editor likely saw no need to alter these words as they are easily understood either way and, in fact, I myself have seen the words that the reviewer was referring to written in the same manner before. A mild complaint at best, I would say.

I also fail to understand the reasoning behind the anti-colonial reviews written mainly by a few North Americans. I believe we are the last people who should be allowed to speak of colonialism. True, Kuki may be just another white colonial in Africa, a land that has had its fair share of problems in that department. But, she has also done more to bring focus to that country and make the stories of this vast and beautiful continent/country known to the rest of us. Who cares where she has garnered her money from? She obviously comes from a quite wealthy family and she runs a major organization and has worked dutifully on her FARM (yes, it is a farm, remember that. They state explicitly that they have sold livestock from very early on) for close to 30 years.

Alas, not everyone can see the simplistic beauty in her words. A true poet does not have to conform to the normal style of writing. (don't forget - the last few "tales" in "African Nights" were taken directly from her diary - even if words are misspelled, perhaps the misspellings were left in for authenticity's sake). Kuki is an incredibly descriptive writer and I find myself yearning to read more. As I stated in my review for "I Dreamed of Africa," I have been fortunate enough to have brief contact with Mrs. Gallmann herself and found her as truthful as she is in her storytelling.

So, ignore the negative reviews and take a step into this incredible woman's life.

Rating:
Summary: Tepid African nights
Review: I very much enjoyed the author's first book, but was extremely disappointed in "African Nights", even though I did not expect it to be as good. Was I right! While Kuki Gallman has an extraordinary life and is possessed of an inspiring character, courage, and a real 'joie de vivre', she should have worked with a writer who can fashion language sensibly. Many sentences were endless and a tangle of misplaced commas and misused words. Kuki alludes to being a poet; perhaps she believes that her style is lyrical--I found, though, that I often had to re-read sentences to try to capture the object of the verb. This is not poetic! And you don't want to know how many typos are contained in the pages. Shame on the editor!

The stories themselves are compelling, but very derivative of her first book. I admit I can't walk away without admiration for Kuki. Nevertheless, it kind of "galled" me that she has the ego to presume her story worthy of publication when it is so poorly written and, further, that she supposes people can relate to a woman of privilege who has not had to work to earn all the splendor she enjoys.

Rating:
Summary: Tepid African nights
Review: I very much enjoyed the author's first book, but was extremely disappointed in "African Nights", even though I did not expect it to be as good. Was I right! While Kuki Gallman has an extraordinary life and is possessed of an inspiring character, courage, and a real 'joie de vivre', she should have worked with a writer who can fashion language sensibly. Many sentences were endless and a tangle of misplaced commas and misused words. Kuki alludes to being a poet; perhaps she believes that her style is lyrical--I found, though, that I often had to re-read sentences to try to capture the object of the verb. This is not poetic! And you don't want to know how many typos are contained in the pages. Shame on the editor!

The stories themselves are compelling, but very derivative of her first book. I admit I can't walk away without admiration for Kuki. Nevertheless, it kind of "galled" me that she has the ego to presume her story worthy of publication when it is so poorly written and, further, that she supposes people can relate to a woman of privilege who has not had to work to earn all the splendor she enjoys.

Rating:
Summary: A Dream-Come-True
Review: If you are one who often dreams of Africa, then you've probably heard of Kuki Gallman, a brave woman who begins her 2nd memoir with those very words: "I was born in Italy, and from earliest childhood I dreamed of Africa." African Nights, the sequel to I Dreamed of Africa (now a movie in which Kim Bassinger stars), is a reverent anthology about the author's experiences in Kenya. In her first book, readers learned of her life tragedies--her husband's fatal plane crash and her son's death from a poisonous pet snake's bite. The stories in African Nights take place afterwards and illustrate a venerable woman's courage in the face of the wild and beautiful East Africa. Stories such as "Elephant Ballad," "Night of the Lions," and "The Brigadier's Cheetah" pay tribute to the glory of African animals and homage to the humans they encounter. But these are more than stereotypical animal tales set in beautiful Kenya. "A Maasai Woman," one of the most original stories in the book, recreates an afternoon Ms. Gallman spends with the woman in her boma (compound). In less than six pages the author authentically presents a wealth of obscure tribal custom. Sure, most of us never give Africa a second imaginative thought beyond the hackneyed portrayal of the lone warrior with his spear or herds of zebras running from lions. What makes Ms. Gallman's writing unique in the nature writing genre is her deeply religious connection to our African heritage and a poetic ease for sharing it. After reading this book, you may feel that you have breathed the perfume of tropical herbs while hearing the bass vibrations of elepants in a deep green distance. Or you may end up going to Africa to know the Garden of Eden for yourself. If not, this book offers pleasure and wisdom for loving Africa and Africans as the author surely does.

Rating:
Summary: A Dream-Come-True
Review: If you are one who often dreams of Africa, then you've probably heard of Kuki Gallman, a brave woman who begins her 2nd memoir with those very words: "I was born in Italy, and from earliest childhood I dreamed of Africa." African Nights, the sequel to I Dreamed of Africa (now a movie in which Kim Bassinger stars), is a reverent anthology about the author's experiences in Kenya. In her first book, readers learned of her life tragedies--her husband's fatal plane crash and her son's death from a poisonous pet snake's bite. The stories in African Nights take place afterwards and illustrate a venerable woman's courage in the face of the wild and beautiful East Africa. Stories such as "Elephant Ballad," "Night of the Lions," and "The Brigadier's Cheetah" pay tribute to the glory of African animals and homage to the humans they encounter. But these are more than stereotypical animal tales set in beautiful Kenya. "A Maasai Woman," one of the most original stories in the book, recreates an afternoon Ms. Gallman spends with the woman in her boma (compound). In less than six pages the author authentically presents a wealth of obscure tribal custom. Sure, most of us never give Africa a second imaginative thought beyond the hackneyed portrayal of the lone warrior with his spear or herds of zebras running from lions. What makes Ms. Gallman's writing unique in the nature writing genre is her deeply religious connection to our African heritage and a poetic ease for sharing it. After reading this book, you may feel that you have breathed the perfume of tropical herbs while hearing the bass vibrations of elepants in a deep green distance. Or you may end up going to Africa to know the Garden of Eden for yourself. If not, this book offers pleasure and wisdom for loving Africa and Africans as the author surely does.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't wait for these Nights to end
Review: My advice: Borrow this book from your local library, finish it if you can, and then decide whether to buy it. "African Nights: True Stories from the Author of I Dreamed of Africa" seems to be mostly an excuse for a book thought up by the publisher's marketing department. It is an annoying combination of hodge-podge and mish-mash that adds up to less than the sum of its parts. Not only does the book as a whole not hold together, but too often the stories themselves are little more than strange juxtapositions of unrelated thoughts, images, and events that leave the confused reader with a response of "Huh?". The success of her first book evidently convinced Gallmann that there is no end to her readers' patience. This book might make sense to her, as her own personal journal, but for the rest of us it is elliptical and way too self-indulgent. There are a few interesting scenes, and we may learn a thing or two about Africa and Africans, but there are far better books to read. (See my other reviews for starters, please.) It would have been far better to save the material in "African Nights" until, with the help of a very good editor, a real book could have been made from it.