African Calliope: A Journey to the Sudan

by Edward Hoagland

An acclaimed travel and nature writer recounts his experiences during four months in the Sudan, sharing his keen responses to the land itself and to the grinding poverty of the tiny towns

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, Travel

239 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Edward Hoagland (born December 21, 1932, in New York, New York) is an author best known for his nature and travel writing. His non-fiction has been widely praised by writers such as John Updike, who called him "the best essayist of my generation."

Reviews

[Rebecca Faith Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, veering between personal observations and historical background to give depth to those observations. Shorter and also less world-worn than Theroux's travel books. I will definitely look for more of Hoagland's books.

[Jennifer Keegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked the agriculture bit

[Emerson Grossmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see a lot of comments about this book, some saying it is so so, too much politics...etc.
If you have never been to the Sudan, in particluar, through the Sudd and Southern Sudan then you don't know what the hell you are talking about. I read this book after travelling through the Sudan in 1982 and re-read it in 2007--still an excellent read. In 1982, I travelled overland from Nairobi with a convoy of two M.A.N. trucks and Dutch drivers and some travellers to Juba. From there a 10 day boat trip up the Nile to Kosti. From there by bus to Khartoum and then by train to Wadi Halfa. Hoagland's description of the South and North are spot on as are his accounts of the Greek community in Juba and at the Metropole. I stayed at the Africa Hotel and it was disgusting. This was Jaafar Nimieri's time--that time is gone. Our Dutch drivers got caught when Green Monkey disease (aka AIDS) hit Juba. African Calliope is one of my favourite books on African and especially Southern Sudan. The South is complicated by tribals issues--read Emma's War, and W.W. Pritchard's book on The Nuer. As for Kapusckinski writing--I find him difficult to read, I think that has to do with his works being translated into English and not in a good way.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the Sudan; Hoagland spend several months traveling through the country, primarily the south, during 1976 and '77, and it eerily predicts the Arab genocide against the Darfurians in more recent decades. Sudan was hardly a united country, but one riven by regional, religious and racial differences, and terribly, terribly poor.

[Jrobertus · Rating 2 out of 5]

commentary from 1978 sudan. folks here are sick even when walking around - a real hole. the writing is not great either, far too many modifying clauses.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serviceable, but nobody's finest hour. Edward, you've been much finer. The rest of you should stick to Kapuscinski.

[Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mixed bag. Some very lovely parts and charming slices of life but frequently boring during long political tangents.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

History to the date of writing and his observations provide a good understanding of Sudan at that time.

[Balloon Bruce]

Disappointing, couldn't finish it.