West with the Night

Diversity Through The Eyes Of An African

This inspirational novel is a memoir of Beryl Markham, a pilot, horse trainer, and a woman living her life to the utmost potential. She grew up in the African lands, learning many life lessons through her interaction with animals. Beryl was intrigued by the flying ability of her friend Tom Black, and was further inspired to become the first person ever to fly east to west across the Atlantic from London to North America. The major themes in this book include but are not limited to adventure, persistence, and the ability to adapt and accept things into ones life. Her life as the book depicts it is one starting and ending in adventure, never skipping a beat of life along the way. She was a woman who grew up next to the natives of Africa, hunting beside tribal leaders, being attacked by wild lions, and killing the dangerous hogs of the region with her own spear. When training one of the many horses in her lifetime, Beryl learned persistence, which was a necessity in this stubborn horses training. She was bit, kicked, and thrown across the stall of Royal Exile. Tolerance and patience was imperative in educating this wild beast, and she was successful in bringing his high, stubborn head back down to earth. As a white woman in Africa, Beryl was faced with the life long racism between whites and blacks. Beryl states in her moving novel, "What a child does not know and does not want to know of race and colour and class, he learns soon enough as he grows to see each man flipped inexorably into some predestined groove like a penny or a sovereign in a bankers rack" (Markham 149). I enjoyed how Beryl incorporated aspects of reflection of her childhood into her calm and relaxing rides on her horse she trained from birth, Pegasus. I would have enjoyed it if this book or weaved in an element of racism deeper than what they incorporated in the book. This book is recommended to all young adults and adults of any age. Not only does this book keep you turning the page, it teaches lessons and opens the readers' eyes to what it was like living in Africa, being a woman, and even flying. I rate this book overall to be five stars. I feel I am a different person after reading this book now, able to look at the world through the eyes of many different aspects. Beryl Markham was a moving woman and wrote a book accurately depicting Africa, horses, discipline, patience, fear and joy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent choice

This book was so enlightening and uplifting. To be a white woman in Africa and then learn to fly a plane was extra ordinary. Beryl Markham was very inspiring I wish I could have met her. What an excellent choice when picking up something to read to enlighten, education and entertain.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Take Hemmingway's Word For It

I think this is one of the most beautifully written biography out there. Aside for the fact that Markham's life unfolded like a movie even as she was living it, her writing is simply wonderful. At times, as when she describes how her best friend's father died (see pg 101) she brought me to tears.

In fact, its such a lovely book, I'm willing to overlook some of her more, shall we say...James Fry-like tendencies. For example, while relating the story of her flying lessons and the affair she had with her instructor, she somehow forgot to mention that he was married to Isak Denisen at the time. Like I said, I'm willing forgive-particularly in light of the extraordinary life she lived and in light of Hemingway's utter respect for her writing. Comparing his prose to hers, he once told a friend that she made him feel like an amateur carpenter who, given some nails and planks, could cobble together a passable pig pen.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

As a child growing up with her father in Africa, Beryl Markham faced down lions and wild boar. As an adult she trained race horses before learning to fly airplanes and becoming a bush pilot. Eventually she became the first pilot, female or male, to fly west with the night and cross the Atlantic ocean solo from Europe to North America. Markham brings the African bush to life with stories of boar hunts and elephant hunts. Of horse races and airplane flights over desert terrain. She lived a courageous life in a time when girls were only supposed to wear dresses and play with dolls and flying airplanes was a man's job. Highly inspirational to read! There's so much to talk about in mother-daughter book clubs or any book club. How was Markham's life different from so many of the girls in her time? How would her life have been different if her mother was also in Africa raising her? This book is beautifully written I've read it three times and each reading I glean more and more from it. I highly recommend it for anyone in high school or older.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Recommended reading for every aviator

West with Night, is a must read on every bookshelf about aviation. It is more than a flying book, it is a great history of Africa during the days of foriegn control. A must read for any aviator. I also reccomdend FLYING NORTH SOUTH EAST AND WEST by Captain Terry Reece, another good read of later operations from the North Pole to Africa.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Absolutely, one of my favorite books. A story teller extraordi

Absolutely, one of my favorite books. A story teller
extraordinaire.

Well written and interesting

Markham has a command of language and detail that drives this fascinating memoir. I have been to Kenya and she paints an accurate picture of the landscape. The story focuses on her inner life, so I read a biography to help fill in some gaps, such as why her mother is never mentioned in this book. Still, the story is fascinating for the writing, and Markham's tenacity. She was a strong woman who excelled in a man's world through hunting, horse training, flying, and as proven here, writing. The book's meditative nature is reminiscent of Antoine de saint-exupery's Wind, Sand, and Stars.

This book has had more lovers than Warren Beatty

OK, forget Earnest Hemmingway touts this as a finer book that any of his own, (that alone should be enough )Only 'his' autobiography, A Moveable Feast, comes anywhere near. To not read this book is to deny yourself one of readings' greatest pleasures. It is so perfect on a multitude of diverse planes. First, a story of one of the most intrepid women to walk the earth. Then it provides unparalled insight into the Aftica that existed just before our lives began. Then be overwhelemed by her insight into the magnificent animals. Some like the haunting revelation of female elephants' efforts to hide their bull elephant's prized tusk from the view of white hunters flying above. This may change you forever. This is the finest biography ever written. I have given this book with joy to every women I know, and each has fallen in love with it. Hence my reference to Beatty

Africa: Amazing and Overwhelming

I too was assigned this novel as a part of my AP English class, and while I must agree with those of you who rated Markham's book among the most elite and well-written of all time, I can also sympathize with those who were a bit overwhelmed by the content and the maturity of the language. While the language of this book was not completetly lost on me, I do feel that at times it was a little extraneous and yes, sometimes boring. But I also think that the way in which highschool students read books also contributes to us getting lost in the whirlwind of words. You see, I was assigned this project over my winter break, and needless to say, I ended up with only a few days left to read the book. While under such time constraints, the flowing and ample language began to get annoying and began to seem pointless. But for anyone who has time to relax and enjoy this book as it was meant to be savored, I think you will enjoy it.

Very Interesting

I had to read this book for my AP english class, and it just sucked me in. I read a variety of books, and this is one of my favorites. I suggest it to others

The Real Kenya

Reading Beryl Markham's book is the reason that I went to Kenya for the summer of 1999. Of course, that Kenya and its social scene no longer exist, nor do the animals in such plentiful amounts, but I could easily see how she fell so in love with the country. I got so wrapped up in her stories of growing up in Kenya, playing with Masai children, and becoming the first female pilot in Africa. It follows closely the social scene that existed then, though I found it interesting the Karen Blixen was not mentioned, yet Bror Blixen was. Clearly Dana, the one giving this fine novel a review, has a lot of learning to do, because West with the Night is one of the best books ever written. Kudos to her teacher for making it assigned reading.

Take an great journey in your mind

One of my top 10 of all times. This book will take you to another time, another world, and let you live pieces of a Beryl's life in Africa in the beginning of this century. A truly great book.

NOT ENJOYABLE

I AM A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND I WAS ASSIGNED THIS BOOK FOR ENGLISH AND I FOUND IT VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND.IT WAS TO DESCRIPTIVE THE AUTHOR WENT INTO TO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT STUFF THAT HAD NO RELIVANCE TO WHAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE BOOK.I SUGGEST THAT IF U HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK JUST BUY THE CLIFF NOTES.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OUT THERE

This book should be required reading for every high school in the world. Forget that Dantes inferno tripe or the lord of the flies trash this book is incredible. She truly makes you feel like you knew her and the caracters really come to life. You feel her happiness and her sadness and dispite some terrible losses the story is really a happy one.

Transport yourself to Africa

Her book is a wonderful escape from the hectic city life; one truly feels like one is in Kenya. I read her book while traveling in Africa, and her descriptions are right on target, even years later. If you like Out of Africa, you'll enjoy this novel even more. A true rare and genuine piece of travel lit.

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