The Volunteer

Rating:
Summary: not what I was expecting...
Review: as someone who has been in the peace core, I just couldn't relate to this. I found it trite and poorly written. I don't recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth your time...
Review: As someone who picked this book up with a personal interest in the peace corps, I still found it utterly unreadable. The prose is flat and dull. This was Mr. Carter debut; let's hope that it was also his last book.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth your time...
Review: As someone who picked this book up with a personal interest in the peace corps, I still found it utterly unreadable. The prose is flat and dull. This was Mr. Carter debut; let's hope that it was also his last book.

Rating:
Summary: insulting to the African people...
Review: As someone who was born in Africa and went on to be educated in the United States, I find his depiction of the African people to be offensive. I also do not think much of his poor writing talent. Thumbs down.

Rating:
Summary: insulting to the African people...
Review: As someone who was born in Africa and went on to be educated in the United States, I find his depiction of the African people to be offensive. I also do not think much of his poor writing talent. Thumbs down.

Rating:
Summary: The Volunteer
Review: Coleman has captured the magic of Tanzania in this sweeping tale. This book reads like a barn on fire. I figure he's the next Hemmingway.

Rating:
Summary: Absorbing, exciting dramatic first book
Review: Having just returned from a brief stay in Tanzania on a volunteer vacation project, I was very anxious to read this book. I think it is excellent for a first book. The story is compelling, the plot and action keep at a pretty good pace, and the characters are colorful and interesting. The author's descriptions of the land and people are straightforward, even gritty, and with the use of Kiswahili phrases throughout, he gives it a very authenthic feel. He certainly does not glamorize Peace Corps work. Jordan's character is an odd mix of altruism (no one in his right mind would sign up for two years to work in a rural Third world country village on a lark) and selfish immaturity. The flashbacks to his failed relationship with his girlfriend in the US (of which I wish there had been less)indicate the latter. His efforts to save and raise a baby Eagle and make life better for a young Tanzanian girl are well intended but again, his motives are far from pure, especially when it comes to the girl. He makes some pretty foolhardy decisions towards the end of the book in his effort to get the girl out of harm's way which make for pretty compelling and dramatic adventures. The ending is pretty gruesome - I could have done without it, but there it was! I kept wondering how much of this book was autobiographical by the author, as he lived and worked in the Usumbara Mountains and started the Tanzania Wildlife Fund referred to in the last chapter. All in all, if you like Africa, different cultures and adventure, I think would you would enjoy this book. I will look forward to another book by Carter Coleman.

Rating:
Summary: Having been to Tanzania and the villages described - Superb!
Review: What a great read! Carter Coleman has given us a brilliant first novel. I wasn't prepared to be so shocked and swept away. I was caught up in the story to the point where I was haunted by it during the day and couldn't wait to continue reading each night where I had left off. In no way was I prepared for the ending but I think it was gripping and effective. Carter Coleman didn't glorify the Peace Corps experience. I have to wonder just how much of this novel was based on personal experience. Brilliant!