A Spear of Summer Grass (1920s Adventures, Bk 1)
Author:
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. Raybourns style is one that I enjoy very much, and I suspect she could write almost any kind of story and I would find myself falling in love with the words as they mingle amongst each other on the pages.
That being said, this story in particular is problematic, which is something I suspected would happen as soon as I realized it was about a privileged, white American traveling to Africa. My background in African history is not very strong, but I do believe at least the basic political ideals and push for Kenyan independence during this time period was correct. And, honestly, the fact that we only really have the white European view of Kenyan independence can be construed as a very astute comment on how the the politics of it were handled, historically. However, Raybourn does dip quite a few toes in the White Savior complex here not only when it comes to the Masai she interacts with in general, but very heavily with Gideon and Moses. I cant say that it wasnt possible for a white American woman to become such close friends with a Masai warrior in 1920s Africa, or that it never once happened, but the ease with which Delilahs relationships took hold was a strange thing to read. The scene when Delilah returns to Fairlight and the tribes gather to sing for her was both incredibly beautiful and incredibly uncomfortable at the same time; ultimately it left me feeling unsteady with what I was experiencing.
There were characters that were mis-(or under)used in the story, namely Dora who I feel should have been explored more deeply not only as an individual but also as a contrary confidant of Delilahs. I also felt like Tusker wasnt given her due and that Helen's motives ended up seeming forced. Ryder was a semi-interesting character, but I found reason to be complicit in Delilahs feelings for him.
The shining star of the novel is by far Delilah as a hell-raising, devil-may-care, pseudo-feminist and how she deals with her own personal demons. I think given a different setting and perhaps a different love interest, I would have fallen deeply for her story.
That being said, this story in particular is problematic, which is something I suspected would happen as soon as I realized it was about a privileged, white American traveling to Africa. My background in African history is not very strong, but I do believe at least the basic political ideals and push for Kenyan independence during this time period was correct. And, honestly, the fact that we only really have the white European view of Kenyan independence can be construed as a very astute comment on how the the politics of it were handled, historically. However, Raybourn does dip quite a few toes in the White Savior complex here not only when it comes to the Masai she interacts with in general, but very heavily with Gideon and Moses. I cant say that it wasnt possible for a white American woman to become such close friends with a Masai warrior in 1920s Africa, or that it never once happened, but the ease with which Delilahs relationships took hold was a strange thing to read. The scene when Delilah returns to Fairlight and the tribes gather to sing for her was both incredibly beautiful and incredibly uncomfortable at the same time; ultimately it left me feeling unsteady with what I was experiencing.
There were characters that were mis-(or under)used in the story, namely Dora who I feel should have been explored more deeply not only as an individual but also as a contrary confidant of Delilahs. I also felt like Tusker wasnt given her due and that Helen's motives ended up seeming forced. Ryder was a semi-interesting character, but I found reason to be complicit in Delilahs feelings for him.
The shining star of the novel is by far Delilah as a hell-raising, devil-may-care, pseudo-feminist and how she deals with her own personal demons. I think given a different setting and perhaps a different love interest, I would have fallen deeply for her story.
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