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Echoes from a Distant Land
A powerful story of doomed love against the backdrop of Africa A powerful story of doomed love against the backdrop of Africa ... Wangira is caught between the traditions of his Kikuyu tribe and the disturbing new ideas of the missionaries. When, as a young warrior, he saves the life of a wealthy American photographer, he is offered the chance of a new life far away in the white man's world. Between the wars, Kenya is a land of boundless opportunity where the rich engage in hunting safaris, horse racing, outrageous parties and all the pleasures that money can buy. Dana Northcote is a celebrated socialite, living the high life, but when Wangira uses her husband's farm in the Kenyan highlands to hide some contraband, she embarks on a dangerous, passionate affair. Ultimately, she is forced to make a heart-rending decision that will tear her life apart and has consequences which will echo through the generations. Spanning the first half of the twentieth century and culminating in Kenya's fight for independence from the British Empire, ECHOES FROM A DIStANt LAND is a vivid evocation of a nation in turmoil, and a story of a love that dared to cross the divide. Praise for Frank Coates's novels: 'remarkable ... adventuresome ... suffused with tenderness' AUStRALIAN BOOK REVIEW 'powerfully recreates the turbulent past' COURIER-MAIL 'blockbuster adventure with authenticity' WEEKEND AUStRALIAN 'an enthralling, multi-layered tale' GOOD READING
- GenresEbooks
528 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 9, 2017
Reminiscent of Bryce Courtenay and Ken Follett, this is a family saga set mostly in early 20th century Kenya. Sam is a kikuyu boy whose brains, courage and physical attributes distinguish him from his peers, and when he takes a job as a porter on a rich Jewish American photographer's private safari, his life changes, as the old man falls secretly in love with him, arranges for his education in the US, and unofficially adopts him. Dana is a bored English aristocrat living on a farm in the Kenyan Highlands, throwing swingers parties and breeding race-horses. They meet and fall in love, but when she falls pregnant she knows there is no way they can be together. The story then jumps forward 15 or so years, taking in the Kenyan independence movement. I didn't know anything about the mau mau and their bloodthirsty tactics, and had only vaguely heard of Jomo Kenyatta, so found the historical aspects the most interesting.
I didn't much like any of the characters, except Ira: Dana and Emerald are spoiled and selfish, although do come right, and Sam and Jelani are both rather proud, arrogant and inconsiderate. I also dislike plots that have related characters bump into each other repeatedly across the world by coincidence. Apart from this, it was pretty good - I liked the writing especially the descriptions of Africa - and the plot sped up at the end, getting quite exciting before rushing to a rather hasty conclusion.
I didn't much like any of the characters, except Ira: Dana and Emerald are spoiled and selfish, although do come right, and Sam and Jelani are both rather proud, arrogant and inconsiderate. I also dislike plots that have related characters bump into each other repeatedly across the world by coincidence. Apart from this, it was pretty good - I liked the writing especially the descriptions of Africa - and the plot sped up at the end, getting quite exciting before rushing to a rather hasty conclusion.
March 1, 2023
This book had me in two minds all the time I was reading. At times I did not enjoy it and at others I did.
I found the plot predictable but the characters interesting. However, for a book written in 2012, I found the stereotypes frustrating. I know the book is set from the early 1900s and these stereotypes were the norm, but I was hoping for a narrative that looked beyond those.
The focus is on the life of Sam Wangira, a Kikuyu man who is trying to reconcile his traditional tribal life and values against the opportunities being offered to him by a white man. Sam has the resilience and strength to make the most of the opportunities he is offered but will his liaison with a married white women, Dana, come back to haunt him?
What secrets does Dana keep for over twenty years that could change Sam's life?
In the background, there is struggle against colonialism, with the British trying to eradicate all of the traditional customs of the Kenyan tribes, the civil uprising against this and the tragedy that results.
A book I am still ambiguous about.
I found the plot predictable but the characters interesting. However, for a book written in 2012, I found the stereotypes frustrating. I know the book is set from the early 1900s and these stereotypes were the norm, but I was hoping for a narrative that looked beyond those.
The focus is on the life of Sam Wangira, a Kikuyu man who is trying to reconcile his traditional tribal life and values against the opportunities being offered to him by a white man. Sam has the resilience and strength to make the most of the opportunities he is offered but will his liaison with a married white women, Dana, come back to haunt him?
What secrets does Dana keep for over twenty years that could change Sam's life?
In the background, there is struggle against colonialism, with the British trying to eradicate all of the traditional customs of the Kenyan tribes, the civil uprising against this and the tragedy that results.
A book I am still ambiguous about.
December 30, 2020
Like the pastor’s proverbial egg, this book was good in places - but those places were few and far between. I think the best part was early on, detailing Sam’s early life under the descriptions of Africa. I liked Sam’s character at that point but grew to dislike him later as he became proud and distant.
For me, Sam was the only believable character in the book - and only partially at that. I found Donna and Emerald over the top, spoiled characters. Edward was quite simply stereotyped and Ira, although he did a nice thing for Sam, walked straight out of a fairytale. As did Beth, come to that. She was simply too sickly good to be true.
It was interesting to read about the mail mau history and also about Jomo Kenyatta - both subjects I still know very little about. But those features are not enough to redeem this book where the characters are flat and unbelievable, I had difficulties transitioning from the first part of the story to the second, the pace left a lot to be desired and the ending was inevitable. Worst of all, I hate the kind of storyline where characters continually bump into each other at random points across the globe - not realistic at all, and very naively done. I had expected more from this book and that’s why I’m struggling even to give three stars.
For me, Sam was the only believable character in the book - and only partially at that. I found Donna and Emerald over the top, spoiled characters. Edward was quite simply stereotyped and Ira, although he did a nice thing for Sam, walked straight out of a fairytale. As did Beth, come to that. She was simply too sickly good to be true.
It was interesting to read about the mail mau history and also about Jomo Kenyatta - both subjects I still know very little about. But those features are not enough to redeem this book where the characters are flat and unbelievable, I had difficulties transitioning from the first part of the story to the second, the pace left a lot to be desired and the ending was inevitable. Worst of all, I hate the kind of storyline where characters continually bump into each other at random points across the globe - not realistic at all, and very naively done. I had expected more from this book and that’s why I’m struggling even to give three stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2014
I enjoyed listening to this book. I really liked Sam and I didn't quite get his feelings for Dana - she was so vapid and "Happy Valley." He needed a stronger love interest. Same with the daughter, Emerald. The African characters were must more interesting but I liked the history and the very vivid descriptions of the Kenyan English community. I thought the whole American brings African to the US for college in the 1930's to be a little bit too unbelievable, considering the extreme discrimination going on in the States at that time, but it was a good story.
November 23, 2014
Profiles the independence of Kenya through the eyes of a Sam, a Kikuyu Kenyan, who gets a lucky break to study in the USA, and a English lady, Dana. She has his child, unbeknownst to him, and only finds out close to his death. The Mau Mau rebellion is also brought to life through his sons membership of it.
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April 17, 2013March 18, 2014
4.5/5
July 20, 2014
What a great author, fantastic story told beautifully. Loved everything about it, want to read more of his books.
January 17, 2016
Great writer! Took me forever to finish but it's a good story. Love fiction based on fact. Can't wait to read another Frank Coates book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews