I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Last fall you learned about Patrick Guilbride’s book Far Away Cows, the British expat view on his time in Africa. Now it’s Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuscinski’s turn.
The book jacket says it better than I can:
“In 1957, Ryszard Kapuscinski arrived in Africa to witness the beginning of the end of colonial rule as the first African correspondent of Poland's state newspaper. From the early days of independence in Ghana to the ongoing ethnic genocide in Rwanda, Kapuscinski has crisscrossed vast distances pursuing the swift, and often violent, events that followed liberation. Kapuscinski hitchhikes with caravans, wanders the Sahara with nomads, and lives in the poverty-stricken slums of Nigeria. He wrestles a king cobra to the death and suffers through a bout of malaria. What emerges is an extraordinary depiction of Africa--not as a group of nations or geographic locations--but as a vibrant and frequently joyous montage of peoples, cultures, and encounters. Kapuscinski's trenchant observations, wry analysis and overwhelming humanity paint a remarkable portrait of the continent and its people. His unorthodox approach and profound respect for the people he meets challenge conventional understandings of the modern problems faced by Africa at the dawn of the twenty-first century.”
I might not ever have discovered The Shadow of the Sun had I not gone back to Uganda and written about it for Tim Cahill’s Advanced Travel Writing class at Book Passage this year. Tim and another classmate read my piece, it reminded them of Kupuscinski’s book, and they strongly suggested I read it. Best. Thing. I. Ever. Did.
Kapuscinski is an inspirational literary journalist. He tells stories that paint the reality of the African nations’ efforts to struggle out from under colonialism and that tell what happened after the Brits went home. Even if you aren’t that interested in African history, read it for Kapuscinski’s exemplary narrative. For the stories.
Who can resist travel tales featuring dictators and soldiers, king cobras, nomads in the Sahara, and bouts of malaria? Not me! You won’t be disappointed.
Teri
Buy a hard copy from Book Passage.
I couldn't agree more. A beautifully written book!
I read Shadow of the Sun in 2008 as I was preparing to leave London for my new life in Uganda. Not only did it make me more excited about moving here, it gave me some useful insights into traditional cultures.
Thanks for reminding me I should reread this book!