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BOOK REVIEWS
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Woman Alone Around Africa JO RUST 2019 ISBN 978-0-620-81398-3
Notes From The Road IV DEREK MANSFIELD 2015 ISBN 978-0-956430-55-7
Cramming an entire continent into one travel biography is an ambitious effort, an effort that Jo Rust took on with Woman Alone Around Africa.
Jo’ s attempt, to first ride around the African continent by bicycle, then on a motorcycle, was ambitious from the very start; the bicycle failed, the motorbike didn’ t and so began the successful adventure.
The adventure challenged Jo in many ways; theft, conditions, self-reliance, all while north Africa was heading into the Arab Spring uprising of 2011. Jo found that the kindness of strangers always came through, providing the means to complete the ride.
Woman Alone Around Africa is informative however lacks a level of personality and struggles to draw the reader in. It’ s an interesting read that would’ ve benefitted greatly from a
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As a first introduction to the writings of Derek Mansfield Notes From The Road Volume IV is a fun, fact filled ride around Eastern Europe by someone who knows the region, the politics, the people, the history.
In a style of writing that flows lyrically it feels that Volume IV needs a backing track, it beautifully draws the reader in, leaving you wanting for more, it flows like a Samuel Taylor Coleridge verse, beautifully written.
Perhaps like the 18th Century poet there’ s a lesson to be learned within Derek’ s words, as he describes the encounters, with land, people, and politics, it’ s all covered with a self-deprecating humour. You will chuckle more than once and even agree with Derek’ s observations.
An interesting aside is that Derek never mentions the countries he’ s in, there’ s a turn of phrase and descriptive vignettes that lead the reader to assume yet never a mention( maps level of editorial work, some encounters need more attention while others could be dropped.
Editing aside, Woman Alone Around Africa is worth a read and is an interesting account of how Jo was able to put her fears, experiences and skills aside to take on a tremendous challenge and come out the other side a different person and the first African woman to ride solo around the African continent.
S throughout pinpoint chapter locations – try reading without the maps).
Like Coleridge’ s most famous character, Derek returned home to tell of his tale, and we’ re‘ wiser’ yet not‘ sadder’ for the experience. This is travel writing of the highest standard, we want more. And, thankfully, like that other great adventure, set a long time ago and far, far away, we started at Volume( Episode) IV, there’ s prequals to be had, and hopefully sequels on the way.
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