The Curve of the World

by Marcus Stevens

Fiction

Genres: Fiction, Africa, Suspense, Thriller

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Cheryl Vickroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story of reigniting love and a tribute to a life together with all its ups and downs. What is the last thing we say to our spouses and families before we leave them (for the day or forever)? A turn of fate puts the male lead character Lewis on a plane bound to crash land in the Congo where its passengers are held between warring factions of Congolese. He escapes into the forest, which has its own rules of engagement, where he encounters the people and shamanism associated with forest societies in the wilds of Africa.

The prose was straightforward - in my opinion no embellishment was needed to make this tale come alive - in night dreams, in sickness-induced fevers or in the magical realism that is a part of this region.

Put to the test, Lewis and his family, including his wife Helen who 'won't take no for an answer' are changed by their experiences. I found this gem spellbinding with a perfect ending.

[SuZanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface this is an engaging adventure story of a Western man, Lewis, a Coca Cola representative, who is aboard an Air France plane when it crashes in Central Africa.
This story dives deep as it takes the reader into the heart of the Congo, different tribal peoples, their ways of life, and resistance to numerous internal oppressive military forces and the imperialist British living there.
One of the more captivating aspects of the book is how the author, Marcus Stevens, has captured the contrast of very close personal moments of the main character Lewis, and his estranged wife Helen, as they individually reflect on their marriage while separately taking action-packed, and at times life-threatening journeys into the Congo at the turn of the 21st Century. His plane has plunged into the forest; she has come to look for him. What they encounter reveals much about them externally and internally and equally so about the people living there. The quiet moments of self reflection by both characters are never cliche and overdrawn. Congolese supporting characters are vividly and realistically presented as well.
I highly recommend this 20-something year old book, which is still relevant and sadly revealing of how Western Imperialism has disrupted Congolese regional politics and way of life.

[Michael Alan Grapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lewis is an executive for Coca Cola on his way to a meeting in South Africa when his plane develops mechanical difficulties and is forced down in the Congo. Their rescuers turn out to be rebel soldiers that hold them hostage but Lewis seizes his opportunity to escape into the jungle only to become hopelessly lost. He's rescued by Kofi, a boy of ten that proves remarkably resourceful, and together they make their way back to civilization only to be separated at a road block. Now it's Lewis' turn to play rescuer after his conscience forces him to go back after Kofi. His wife Helen and blind son Shane travel to Africa in search of the missing Lewis after reports of the downed plane reach America...husband and wife are estranged but both think of little but being reunited in spite of all of the advise they receive to the contrary...an interesting study in cultural differences and an epic journey for survival made for an interesting read.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Curve of the World is a riveting story about survival and losing and regaining love across both physical and psychological borders.

I really liked that the story was told from 2 POVs. The setting was realistic too. A bit of a Hollywood ending though, thus minus 1 star.. Still, it was a real pageturner.

[Rkrynak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book about Lewis trying to survive a plane emergency landing in the Congo.
Tbh I would have bought more into his situation if the author hadn't made everyone else on the plane airlifted to Paris. Almost, but not quite, a great book.

[Ronda Canary · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites.

[Mark Austin · Rating 1 out of 5]

★ - Most books with this rating I never finish and so don't make this list. This one I probably started speed-reading to get it over with.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
★★★ - Decent. A few good ideas, well-written passages, interesting characters, or the like.
★★★★ - Good. This one had parts that inspired me, impressed me, made me laugh out loud, made me think - it got positive reactions and most of the rest of it was pretty decent too.
★★★★★ - Amazing. This is the best I've read of its genre, the ones I hold on to so I can re-read them and/or loan them out to people looking for a great book. The best of these change the way I look at the world and operate within it.

[Patrick Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting novel, but disappointing in it's shallowness. The author is smooth at story telling, which keeps the reader semi-interested, but the frequent flashbacks to the past slow the story considerably. Stevens should have decided whether or not he wanted to write a novel about a failing relationship or a country in crisis(the Congo). He tried to do both and failed. The tragic crisis in the Congo is such that I guess only a native would be able to do justice to the richness of culture, politics and human misery that abound there. Stevens doesn't even attempt it, and his novel comes off as very shallow. A rainy day read when there is nothing else waiting.

[Carrie]

Fast-paced novel blends the past and present story of a victim of a plane hijacking who becomes lost in the Congo. The novel's omniscient narrator changes back and forth from the man's struggle to survive and his wife's search for him. An added character, their young, blind son, serves as a means to connect the stories of the couple's past together and the friction placed on their marriage due to the burden of their son's special needs. A bit unbelievable, but quick-moving, very readable story. I want to go to Africa!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good first novel from Marcus Stevens - part adventure story, part clash of civilizations. I recommend it for entertainment. If you want to read a novel about the Congo, read The Poisonwood Bible instead.

[Noelle M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the story of a shallow man who discovers he has a bit of depth is a good idea.
The setting was creative. I think Malik was nicely drawn character. The African boy might have had more character. The wife was cardboard, but then the failing relationship was cardboard. Pretty decent for a first book. I think he should keep writing.

[Sarah Bickley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud this book for its ability to transport the reader to a warring, dangerous area of the world, while also describing well the complexities of both the love and frustration that come with marriage and family. This book has parts appropriate only for adults. This book ends equally depressing as it does joyful. 

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! It reminded me a lot of Little Bee, due to the setting, troubles in Africa, and views on colonialism and its lasting impressions, but I found it to be so, so much more enjoyable.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pageturner with brains and heart.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this during a camping trip, we were at a local bookstore and I needed SOMETHING. It was ok, entertaining and interesting, but nothing exceptional.

[Ajh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just reread this. It was just as good the second time.

[Bonnie Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to keep on reading to see if this couple could ever get back together after his plane crashlands in the African jungle. Kind of like the theme: of two ships passing in the night.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the adventure through the jungle physically and relationshiply :)

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many 'dream/hallucination sequences'. The story line COULD have been so good.

[Java · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea for a book - liked description of the Congo - not sure about how it ended.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up and finished it the same night! I couldn't sleep until I found out what happened to these characters!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting more of an adventure story but this was quite good. There were some story weaknesses and some parts seemed less than realistic. However, it's an enjoyable first novel.

[Mungo James · Rating 1 out of 5]

it is a fantasy, not fiction. It makes Romancing the Stone look like reality.

If you want to read realistic fiction set in Africa, stick with Wilbur Smith.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Ending a little choppy.

[kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, enjoyable read.

[Marianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat unrealistic, but I did enjoy it.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love this one, but well written

[Booklover, Indianapolis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5* CnC rating: 2.5*

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book to pass time with, nothing heavy or earth shattering.