Longing for Darkness: Kamante's Tales from Out of Africa

Rating:
Summary: The book as dream and fondest memory
Review: I had a hardback copy of a previous edition which somehow slipped through my grasp and for which I have been searching vainly for twenty years. The combination of cultural perspectives effortlessly and simulataneously presented in a correspondent range of visual and graphical styles, telling stories of quiet appreciation and respect enchanted me like no other book, and I am grateful at least for finding a paperback edition and a thread to keep my hopes alive.

Rating:
Summary: Nice pictures but ultimately boring
Review: I love the subject and the presentation of this book, but the text, which is written in Kamante's naive and simple English, lacks substance. There is no point to his quaint observations and this kind of narrative can only appeal to the real Dinesen and Out of Africa fanatics who have to collect her every account. It's the kind of book you read once, think it looks great on the coffee table, perhaps try to give it to your young niece, was unsuccessful, and ultimately lob off at a garage sale. I returned it promptly.

Rating:
Summary: For all Karen Blixen lovers
Review: Peter Beard has lived near Karen Blixen's farm and collected her story from many of her friends and staff in Africa. In this beautiful book he assembles excellent original photographs of Karen Blixen and enhances them with photographs of his own from Africa. The commentary is by Kamante Gatura, Karen Blixen's cook. A fascinating book, especially because Kamante's version differs from that of some of Karen Blixen's biographers. The illustrations compliment a reading of Linda Donelson's "Out of Isak Dinesen in Africa: Karen Blixen's untold story."