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2 von 2 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich:
1.0 von 5 Sternen
Whiny account that doesn't do Africa any justice, 24. Juni 2009
I have read Paul Theroux "Dark Star Safari" with great anticipation and was greatly disappointed. The master of "Mosquito Coast" and other classics certainly does not shine in this peace of at bestmediocre travel literature. Let me explain my criticism.
Having lived in East Africa for more than ten years and having extensively travelled throughout the continent, I know very well the situations Mr Theroux has encountered during his voyage.
Mr Theroux, who has spent three years as a volunteer at a school in Malawi & Uganda, sets out to return to the place of his volunteer days some twenty years later. To make the journey more interesting, he decides to travel all the way from Cairo to Capetown and he choses to travel the rough way - that is, taking local transport and staying in local guesthouses along the way. This indeed, guarantees a good source for countless experiences and a could have been the starting point for a reviving, unique description of travel and life in Africa.
Unfortunately, though, you can not lose the feeling throughout the entire book that the author has set out on this journey with indignation and a pre-set picture in his head. Traveling the way he chose to, of course lands him in problems and discomfortable situations over and over again. Mr Theroux's ridiculous describtion of these accounts and the hinting at African people's inaptitude in general is unbearable. Funnily enough, the author conveniently forgets to mention that comfortable and qualitative alternatives to broken trains and flea-infested shambles commonly exist. The reader must get the impression that all is hopeless in Africa. Mr Theroux makes himself out to be the specialist on all African matters, when really he is not. In fact he is quite ignorant most of the time. Whenever traveling rough gets to him too much, he meets with now well-off old friends, choses to stay in five-star hotels and in the end gets pampered in a top-end luxury safari in South Africa. How sincere is that? While staying in a church-run facility in one of the poorest places in Ethiopa, Mr Theroux is not above including sexual fantasies about the nuns into his travel diary. It really is quite tasteless. And when he approaches Malawi and is sulking at not being greeted with the enthusiam he expected (strangely enough, the embassy in Malawi does not answer his request for a special visit and welcome ceremony - who is Mr Theroux, again?) you are about ready to put the book down for good.
I haven't, because I kept hoping for a passage or a conclusion that would make this reading worthwile. It did not come, however. In the end all I can say is that this book was written by a cranky old men who is on a miserable journey through a continent that he has no passion for nor understanding of. The travel account is lopsided, utterly self-absorbed and written in a whiny style. A reader who has had no prior experience and only a superficial knowledge of Africa will be getting an unreflected, highly subjective travel account that once again supports his/her stereotype impression of Africa and her people. A reader with said experience will recoil from the inapt language and message of this book. I am not saying that Mr Theroux is not a good author and respected expert in other fields, but this is definetly not one of them.
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3 von 4 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich:
5.0 von 5 Sternen
Another unique view, 25. März 2004
Von Ein Kunde
I had no interest in Africa but put my faith in P Theroux to enlighten me. It was humourous and informative, but above all touching, because of the author's ability to avoid romanticising what he obviously holds close to his heart. A mighty task indeed. If you believe as I do, that what exists is perfect simply because it is there, then this book can even be uplifting. A definate must for those interested in Africa.
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1 von 1 Kunden fanden die folgende Rezension hilfreich:
5.0 von 5 Sternen
An epic ride, 3. Mai 2005
A beautiful story as a journey by the author through Africa. I enjoyed his vivid accounts and the details of the story. This book serves as a good read for anybody interested in the amazing way of life of the people of Africa.I say so because it is so balanced, as It showed the good side of the of the African soul. DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE,LIVING ON THE EDGE, THE USURPER AND OTHER STORIES, TRIUMPH OF THE SUN are other fascinating and insightful stories set in Africa.
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