[.ca] Malaria Dreams: An African Adventure (ISBN 087113361X)

This isn't paradise:
This book, first of all, is not the typical "vacation book" one may purchase to motivate themselves with tales of lovely places and experiences to relish on your long awaited exotic South African adventure. It should be acknowledged that this is a tongue in cheek review of either an ignorant gentleman, or an educated travel writer delivering just what the reader loves to read. Taken too seriously, the book is offensive. Taken too literally, one can barely believe anyone so STUPID would undertake an assignment such as the author does with no preparation whatsoever. Taken modestly, with appreciation for the genuine spirit of all people, one can easily see the unique capacity the African people have to live life and share generously with strangers passing by. The endemic frustrations of travel are mirrored constantly by Mr. Stevens. In comic reproductions, it is recalled for the benefit of the reader, of course. The stories are hilarious and bittersweet. Many times I relished the fact that I was home and not experiencing the agony he was. Many more times, I assured myself that I would never subject myself to such unprepared punishment. But, this is what titillates a travel reader, experiencing a travel writer's life in the insured lounger of one's insured home. I appreciate those that cast their fate to the winds, and allow their adventures to take shape according to chance. It was just such opportunities that the author encountered. Unexpectantly, and often at times of great distress, he and his companion were invited into the townspeople's homes. Later, after being fed, bathed and liquored, solid friendships formed, and the true spirit of traveling in Central Africa was appreciated.

Quite good, actually:
Considering that I'm not that interested in Africa and consider the author rather as self-important than as someone I'd actually like to travel with, I was quite astonished how much I liked this book. Quite adventurous, at times funny and mercifully almost completely free of the stupid generalizations Stevens chose to share with us in Feeding Frenzy, this is a fine read for people who are not so eager to haggle with heavily armed border guards themselves.

Entertaining, a fast read:
If you enjoy reading about travel snafus; AKA dealing with the red tape of a military dictatorship whose inept pencil-pushers are intent upon thwarting your trip, then you will enjoy Malaria Dreams. Driving across the Sahara is certainly not something I'd ever entertain... so reading the adventures of someone who was crazy enough to attempt this dangerous journey was a joy. Well-written, good characterizations.

Entertaining but that's about all:
This book is very entertaining and amusing. It is solely about traveling through countries in Africa as most travelers, that is without learning much about local customs, how the people live, what their hopes and dreams are. It is all about the author and his friend and what other white people they could hook up with when they arrived in a new town or village. It is very much written as an outsider but then it was never meant to be more than that.

Disappointing:
A man goes to the Central African Republic, with minimal preparation and next to zero knowledge, to drive an abandoned car back to Europe. Of course, he runs into border guards and various officials, who eventually become fodder for his "wit". This account of his "adventure", even though it may be completely true, leaves much to be desired: the author is annoyingly whiny and both an egoist and egotist. He goes for laughs, not much else, and only partially suceeds. Somehow this book reminds me of Abbott and Costello's "Africa Screams" -- everything about Africa in "Malaria Dreams" is told in a ridiculous and exaggerated manner. The key difference is that we know that Abbott and Costello are comedians (and their movie is a half century old), while "Malaria Dreams" wants to be accorded the respect due to a non-fiction book. This is one of the poorer examples of the every-foreigner-who-goes-to-Africa-thinks-he-should-write-a-book phenomenon. Better examples of this genre are: "The Ponds of Kalambayi" by Mike Tidwell; "French Lessons in Africa: Travels With My Briefcase in French Africa" by Peter Biddlecombe; and "Native Stranger: A Black American's Journey into the Heart of Africa" by Eddy L. Harris.