Kirinyaga

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Summary: Resnick has an incredible understanding of African Culture
Review: Mike Resnick has an incredible understanding of tribal african thinking. I am a South African and I was absolutely positive that this had been written by a fellow White (South) African. If you read these stories you will understand the tribal thinking of the African culture which still holds sway over most of the older generation and some of the younger ones. Wonderful writing. Anthea Tarica Johannesburg South African.

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Summary: What does someone born on Kirinyaga think of the book?
Review: Perhaps I should begin by setting out who and where I am. I am a white Canadian who has lived in Kenya for seven years. My girlfriend is a Kikuyu and her family live on the slopes of Mount Kenya, the Kirinyaga of the title.

We did not like the book. She could not finish it and I struggled to do so. While the stories and the ideas explored are interesting, it does not ring true to us. I recognize that this book is fiction and want to stress that it is just that, fiction. It is not a representation of the Kikuyu and makes only the most distant references to them. For example, most of the names used are not Kikuyu and one time, when they do use a male Kikuyu name, it is given to a woman. The foundation of this book is weak and, with very minimal effort, could have been made stronger.

In my opinion, a tribe should have been invented or lip service should have been given to the tribe that was being used. The photo on the back cover summarized things for us. Resnick is standing in a safari suit, next to a rhino. We are sure the photo was taken at Mt. Kenya Safari Club, one of the most exclusive hotels in Africa and is as far from the Kikuyu as his writing is. He looks like the tourists we see and his writing reflects as deep an understanding of the Kikuyu as the two week visitors do.

Rating:
Summary: What does someone born on Kirinyaga think of the book?
Review: Perhaps I should begin by setting out who and where I am. I am a white Canadian who has lived in Kenya for seven years. My girlfriend is a Kikuyu and her family live on the slopes of Mount Kenya, the Kirinyaga of the title.

We did not like the book. She could not finish it and I struggled to do so. While the stories and the ideas explored are interesting, it does not ring true to us. I recognize that this book is fiction and want to stress that it is just that, fiction. It is not a representation of the Kikuyu and makes only the most distant references to them. For example, most of the names used are not Kikuyu and one time, when they do use a male Kikuyu name, it is given to a woman. The foundation of this book is weak and, with very minimal effort, could have been made stronger.

In my opinion, a tribe should have been invented or lip service should have been given to the tribe that was being used. The photo on the back cover summarized things for us. Resnick is standing in a safari suit, next to a rhino. We are sure the photo was taken at Mt. Kenya Safari Club, one of the most exclusive hotels in Africa and is as far from the Kikuyu as his writing is. He looks like the tourists we see and his writing reflects as deep an understanding of the Kikuyu as the two week visitors do.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: Read this book.. Very much worth your time.. not merely science-fiction but more a book of ideas.. provokes you to think things through and choose sides and i like that most about this kind of book.. don't hesitate to buy this book.. it is well worth your time..

Rating:
Summary: SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED AS "JUST SCI-FI"
Review: This is arguably the best colection of science-fiction stories EVER!! And I am taking into account "The Martian Chronicles"! A bold statement? Over-exageration? Maybe... I don't think so, but don't let me be the judge- read it yourself!!! (If Resnick doesn't win an award, heads will roll). This collection should be recognized as a genre classic and may end up, like many of Ellison's works, as highly regarded pieces of literature. Try this on for size, I found it an excellent fit.

Rating:
Summary: Kirinyaga stories are great!
Review: While I haven't read THIS book I have read most of the Kirinyaga tales & they're some of Resnick's finest efforts.