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A Year in the Wild: A Riotous Novel
Angus and Hugh MacNaughton are brothers. They dislike each other … A lot. They have loathed each other since Hugh bit Angus at a family picnic many years ago. In a last-ditch attempt to forge a brotherly bond between the two, Mr and Mrs MacNaughton secure them jobs at an exclusive five-star game lodge. They manage to convince (bribe in the case of Angus) the siblings to work at Sasekile Private Game Lodge for a year. A Year in the Wild tells the uproarious, cringe-worthy and hilarious tales of Angus and Hugh in the form of weekly emails to their sister Julia. Their experiences include encounters with guests, animals, female staff and often a mixture of these.Combine: an eclectic mix of rich, over-demanding and adulterous guests, a dash of crazy bush lodge staff including two jealous brothers (one a bitterly sarcastic game ranger and the other an over-eager lodge manager) and throw in the beauty of the African bushveld. Shake well. Conflict and disaster are inevitable.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
40 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 16, 2013
James Hendry had me laughing in public. His sarcastic, dry sense of humour is quite entertaining. I love that the entire book is written in email format and having attended his writers' dinner/ book launch and getting my copy signed by him, I saw a lot of him in the writing style and the main character; Angus. Amidst the laughs and entertainment, there are some sobering moments that may leave you teary eyed as they did me. Lovely read.
July 1, 2020
I discovered James during Covid-19 lockdown on Wild Earth. It took a few game drives, but after I got used to his humor, he was my favorite ranger to follow. This book reflects that humor, and, if I could guess, has a character based on himself. I loved it. I even cried! Who knew he could do that. Definitely a great, light read if you love the Bush, game drives, Joburg and SA. 😀
January 11, 2012
This novel is truly riotous. Two brothers - who hate each other - are sent away to "the bush" or the wild, i.e. to a game reserve to work at a safari lodge. One is caustic, sarcastic with the driest wit imaginable, while the other is goodhearted - except when it comes to his brother! Their characters come across in emails to their sister, and you'll learn all about 'behind the scenes' at a safari lodge - your view Africa will never be the same again!
While there are a number of colloquialisms, the story has pace and in fact draws you in insidiously until suddenly it's over and you wish there was a sequel...
If you want something very different to read, this one would be it.
While there are a number of colloquialisms, the story has pace and in fact draws you in insidiously until suddenly it's over and you wish there was a sequel...
If you want something very different to read, this one would be it.
April 27, 2023
This witty tale of two brothers at a South African Lodge was well written and hilarious. As someone who has been working in the industry it depicts so well the crazy cast of people you have coming through a lodge from staff to guests. I loved immersing myself in the chaos.
June 27, 2023
Very Funny! If you have worked in the service industry you will love this book!! I laughed so much!!! I kept thinking about my niece Michelle who lives in Australia and has worked on cruise ships and has crazy guests stories! This takes place in South Africa in the bush at a game lodge. Of course I am way more like the sarcastic Angus but I wish I was more like the kinder brother Hugh. If you don’t laugh at least once in this book then there is something wrong with you!!!!!
November 9, 2011
A Year in the Wild will make you smile, laugh and cry.
Beautifully written, the story of two brothers, Angus and Hugh MacNaughton, is set to become a South African bestseller. James Hendry has written a 'Spud' for grown-ups.
Angus and Hugh loathe each other. Their parents have somehow managed to get them to work together for a year at Sasekile, a private game reserve. The eclectic, hilarious and somehow believable cast of characters is revealed through emails the brothers send to their sister, Julia.
The two boys become men in the African wilderness. They learn to be responsible and accountable, to stand up for what they believe in, to compromise when they should. They both find love. And there is a heartbreaking lesson in loss.
Hendry has penned a truly funny debut novel. It is the perfect Christmas gift for your sister, brother, father , mother, aunt, uncle - or any family member you may have. Give it to someone you care about. They will love the book.
Highly recommended.
Make this your must-read novel of 2011.
4.5/5
Beautifully written, the story of two brothers, Angus and Hugh MacNaughton, is set to become a South African bestseller. James Hendry has written a 'Spud' for grown-ups.
Angus and Hugh loathe each other. Their parents have somehow managed to get them to work together for a year at Sasekile, a private game reserve. The eclectic, hilarious and somehow believable cast of characters is revealed through emails the brothers send to their sister, Julia.
The two boys become men in the African wilderness. They learn to be responsible and accountable, to stand up for what they believe in, to compromise when they should. They both find love. And there is a heartbreaking lesson in loss.
Hendry has penned a truly funny debut novel. It is the perfect Christmas gift for your sister, brother, father , mother, aunt, uncle - or any family member you may have. Give it to someone you care about. They will love the book.
Highly recommended.
Make this your must-read novel of 2011.
4.5/5
October 5, 2013
Any easy read. Light and amusing. Don't know if I have ever encountered author but over fifteen years of visits to the lodges where he has apparently worked it is possible. Whilst fiction , the characters and events are entirely plausible. I have a son training as a ranger and his anecdotes are similar.
The "emails" are a nice style enabling you to have a short read and put down.I read this book in one day.
They should have copy in every guest room in every lodge, maybe some guests would read and adjust their outrageous behaviour.
A good book for a travel read. Funny and well written.
The "emails" are a nice style enabling you to have a short read and put down.I read this book in one day.
They should have copy in every guest room in every lodge, maybe some guests would read and adjust their outrageous behaviour.
A good book for a travel read. Funny and well written.
November 21, 2019
The same wit, wisdom, and sarcasm of Mr Hendry's that I have come to enjoy while watching him on YouTube, comes out in his book. As he is a great safari guide in real life, I have to wonder how many of the stories in his book mirror his real life adventures. Loved this book! Made me laugh so many times!
January 10, 2020
This was terrible. It was insulting that this was even published. The sad thing is I love listening to James on SafariLive but this wasn't a book. There were no chapters just "emails" so the plot was never really developed. Luckily I got this free, I would have been angry if I had to pay for it.
August 13, 2020
I really loved this book. The way the characters revealed themselves and how situations were described were excellent. i loved the same situation described through different perspectives and James Hendry is a master at painting a situation with words. This book made me a fan and i bought all your books. Well done
December 1, 2017
What a great book for anyone who has spent any time in the South African Bush to read. It gives a great insight into the lives of those poor people who in our many Lodges. The format of how it is written in the form of emails is very different and very engaging.
November 2, 2011
Very funny. Good characters. Lovely fast read makes for a good book on holiday.
January 15, 2012
It was ok. I can't really say any more than that.
January 6, 2015
I read this in 24 hours and LOVED it. I laughed until my belly hurt, and at one point almost cried.
This is a GREAT book, and will be finding more of his books if it kills me!!
This is a GREAT book, and will be finding more of his books if it kills me!!
December 18, 2025
These are despicable men. They refer to people in horribly unflattering terms. Anyone who is overweight is shamed to no end and they are portrayed as horrible people. Any with a trait like a lisp is also made fun of. Someone who is skinny is teased to her face until they find out she suffered from bulimia. (No realization of poor behavior ever came regarding anyone else though.) They’re mean to each other and sometimes it’s just ridiculously cruel.
The story had potential and it was interesting to see Africa from the eyes of a safari guide. The book could have been enjoyable if the brothers had any redeeming value and the author didn’t think maligning people was funny.
When the girlfriend of one of them thought it was funny that she went to an “inappropriate costume” party dressed as a child molester and he agreed, I was done. Child molesters are NEVER funny. I realized that there had been a lot of points when I took offense and should have stopped reading earlier like when he thought some Germans should no longer be sensitive about WWII. (He stopped short of making any antisemitic comment or I would have been done at that point.)
But other people needed me to read this. So I turned the speed up to 3x which was as fast as it could go so I could listen to it sufficiently to say I had read it and get credit for it for a challenge.
To show I actually did read it the rest I’ll say that there was one really sad part that fit with the story and it was handled well. There was also too.
But no way will I read another book by Hendry even as interesting as the blurbs sound.
The author read this and he did a good job, although he was as unflattering in his voices as the brothers were in describing those particular people.
The story had potential and it was interesting to see Africa from the eyes of a safari guide. The book could have been enjoyable if the brothers had any redeeming value and the author didn’t think maligning people was funny.
When the girlfriend of one of them thought it was funny that she went to an “inappropriate costume” party dressed as a child molester and he agreed, I was done. Child molesters are NEVER funny. I realized that there had been a lot of points when I took offense and should have stopped reading earlier like when he thought some Germans should no longer be sensitive about WWII. (He stopped short of making any antisemitic comment or I would have been done at that point.)
But other people needed me to read this. So I turned the speed up to 3x which was as fast as it could go so I could listen to it sufficiently to say I had read it and get credit for it for a challenge.
To show I actually did read it the rest I’ll say that there was one really sad part that fit with the story and it was handled well. There was also too.
But no way will I read another book by Hendry even as interesting as the blurbs sound.
The author read this and he did a good job, although he was as unflattering in his voices as the brothers were in describing those particular people.
October 15, 2019
I almost changed my mind about reading this book when I found out that the entire thing consisted of email communication between siblings. I'm very glad I stuck with it. I loved it.
Two quarrelsome brothers in their early to mid 20's are sent to work in a wildlife reserve in South Africa by their well intending parents in hopes of strengthening their relationship with each other. The brothers send emails to their sister/parents roughly once a week telling of their adventures and day-to-day working at the reserve. Hugh is the younger brother, and he trains to be an assistant manager at one of the camps. Angus is the elder and is training to be a game ranger. I enjoyed hearing the two perspectives of each brothers' account of various situations. For the most part, this book was hilarious (in a dry humor sort of way). I was really taken aback when I hit a chapter in the book that brought me to tears. Having spent ten years of his own life working at game reserves in South Africa, James Hendry was clearly writing what he knew, and those are always the best works. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.
Two quarrelsome brothers in their early to mid 20's are sent to work in a wildlife reserve in South Africa by their well intending parents in hopes of strengthening their relationship with each other. The brothers send emails to their sister/parents roughly once a week telling of their adventures and day-to-day working at the reserve. Hugh is the younger brother, and he trains to be an assistant manager at one of the camps. Angus is the elder and is training to be a game ranger. I enjoyed hearing the two perspectives of each brothers' account of various situations. For the most part, this book was hilarious (in a dry humor sort of way). I was really taken aback when I hit a chapter in the book that brought me to tears. Having spent ten years of his own life working at game reserves in South Africa, James Hendry was clearly writing what he knew, and those are always the best works. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.
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June 5, 2022This is a difficult one for me to review so I don't think I can rate it.
I am a fan of the author's, although I know him from watching WildEarth on YouTube. I love his dry sense of wit. This book delivers on that tenfold so it had me chuckling. I also read this while on a family trip to the Lowveld, which included a few nights in the Kruger Park, so I have so many fond memories attached to my copy.
The reason I am at conflict with my rating is that it does read as VERY dated. The lowlights-The humour heavily relies on misogynistic and fatphobic views. The female characters are all either male fantasy or absurd caricatures that feel more mean than funny. There is an eating disorder that is grossly and offensively handled and portrayed, I did have to walk away from the book at points for my own reasons. It can feel like reading a white saviorism 101 manual at times.
Basically, did I have a great time reading this book? Absolutely. Would I recommend this book to anyone? Absolutely not. Will I pick up from this author again? Probably not although I will continue to enjoy his other ventures.
I am a fan of the author's, although I know him from watching WildEarth on YouTube. I love his dry sense of wit. This book delivers on that tenfold so it had me chuckling. I also read this while on a family trip to the Lowveld, which included a few nights in the Kruger Park, so I have so many fond memories attached to my copy.
The reason I am at conflict with my rating is that it does read as VERY dated. The lowlights-The humour heavily relies on misogynistic and fatphobic views. The female characters are all either male fantasy or absurd caricatures that feel more mean than funny. There is an eating disorder that is grossly and offensively handled and portrayed, I did have to walk away from the book at points for my own reasons. It can feel like reading a white saviorism 101 manual at times.
Basically, did I have a great time reading this book? Absolutely. Would I recommend this book to anyone? Absolutely not. Will I pick up from this author again? Probably not although I will continue to enjoy his other ventures.
July 20, 2025
This was a re-read. I normally do not do re-reads, because I simply do not have the time. After some very heavy books I needed a comedy break and I could not think of something better to read that this. A year in the wild was and will undeniably always be one of my all time favorite books. I love it from start to finish. I forgot how funny this book was. It is also a bit of an emotional rollercoasters, because it has all the "Feels" in it. Tears where rolling from laughter and sadness.
Angus, the sarcastic and angry brother is my spirit animal. The characters are all very "real" and relatable. You can't help but love them.
I also love the email format, which is something I have not experienced before.
I was pleasantly surprised to see there are two more books!! Can't wait to read them!
This is one of my top 5 books to take with if you are stranded on a island.
Angus, the sarcastic and angry brother is my spirit animal. The characters are all very "real" and relatable. You can't help but love them.
I also love the email format, which is something I have not experienced before.
I was pleasantly surprised to see there are two more books!! Can't wait to read them!
This is one of my top 5 books to take with if you are stranded on a island.
May 31, 2021
This book was exactly what I needed when I read it. It made me laugh out loud (Im not an easy laugh) as well as cry. I love the sarcastic and dry sense of humor that is pervasive in the story. It is written as emails sent by 2 brothers to their sister at home while they are working on an African game park. Some people may not enjoy the format but I felt it worked well. There is just so much that goes on in this book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was a breath of fresh air and a fun read to lighten up the heavy mood the pandemic had brought. And now I am ready to go to Africa!
November 13, 2020
I love this book. I'm probably biased because I watch the author regularly on safari on Wild Earth.TV. Besides being so knowledgeable on safari, he has the best sense of humor and is a greatly talented entertainer. I laughed out loud many times reading this book which consists of emails to and from brothers, Angus and Hugh, sister Jules, etc. Set in the Africa bushveld with humorous stories of the competitive nature of the brothers, the many characters they meet it's an amazing tale. Highly recommend!
January 31, 2021
I love everything about safaris, so I was convinced I'd enjoy this book, and I did. The "behind the scenes" (fictionalized in this book) information about safari lodge employees and shenanigans was fun.
Unfortunately, the epistolary format didn't work great because everything happens "off screen" and we are told about it later. Too much telling and not enough showing. But still, quite enjoyable for anyone who likes travel-related books, books set in southern Africa, books about the hospitality or tourism industries.
Unfortunately, the epistolary format didn't work great because everything happens "off screen" and we are told about it later. Too much telling and not enough showing. But still, quite enjoyable for anyone who likes travel-related books, books set in southern Africa, books about the hospitality or tourism industries.
January 10, 2022
Definitely not my cup of tea - besides Anna, Elvis and Jacob, the remainder of the characters are either 2 dimensional or very unlike able. I prefer to have characters I rally behind. The email format felt very disjointed. The only reason for the 3 stars - is talking to my brother (who is a guide), his connections to the stories on guests allows me to understand that there is some depth to the tales if you are familiar. But for an outsider it was a painful experience I hope not to repeat again.
May 16, 2023
What a fantastic book and fantastic series. This book had me smiling and laughing on the train all the way through.
The characters are brilliantly described and realistic, the relationships are real and emotional and even had me shedding a tear in a couple of places!
I read these books not long after I returned from a trip to Kenya and I can say that it bought back some great memories of the bush.
Anyone who is unsure whether or not to read this series, dive in because you will not regret it!
The characters are brilliantly described and realistic, the relationships are real and emotional and even had me shedding a tear in a couple of places!
I read these books not long after I returned from a trip to Kenya and I can say that it bought back some great memories of the bush.
Anyone who is unsure whether or not to read this series, dive in because you will not regret it!
February 27, 2024
A perfect holiday book - especially if that holiday is a safari in South Africa. I enjoyed the stories around the different guests and the insights into camp life for the staff at the game lodges. I quite liked the narrative being told via emails - made for fast paced and easy read, which is exactly what I want on holiday. The book made me laugh out loud but also had sad parts too. I found the two brothers Angus and Hugh pretty unlikeable (especially Angus), which was a bit jarring at times. But they did grow on me towards the middle/end!
July 2, 2025
Very funny, truly South African story - I enjoyed every minute.The characters themselves are quite wild and I didn't enjoy all the swearing, but the story is heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoyed Angie's sarcasm and Hughs upbeat nature. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to SA expats - it will bring back great memories from our beloved homeland.
I listened to the audio version which was expertly narrated by the author himself. He does a great variety of accents which adds to the entertainment.
I listened to the audio version which was expertly narrated by the author himself. He does a great variety of accents which adds to the entertainment.
October 26, 2017
This is a riot of humour. Mr Hendry possesses a remarkable eye for funny observations and a wicked way of expressing them. This is a very enjoyable book. One that I could easily read again and again in the future.
February 23, 2020
Fast funny read. Relatable in parts but also desperately sad. I ft as though I'd read some of the anecdotes in other books of a similar genre-the baboons destroying a guest suite moments before they were due to arrive springs to mind.
April 26, 2020
A delightful, wonderful hilarious book about two brothers who don't get along that well, and their misadventures being safari guides in South Africa. Hard to put down. I highly recommend it, and the audio book read by the author himself, James Hendry! Can't wait to read the sequel!
May 1, 2020
Most enjoyable
I feel that I have come to know James via WildEarth safari and I loved his book. It’s witty, poignant, insightful and entertaining. I will certainly be reading the sequel. Well done James!
I feel that I have come to know James via WildEarth safari and I loved his book. It’s witty, poignant, insightful and entertaining. I will certainly be reading the sequel. Well done James!
November 5, 2022
It's not often that I laugh out loud when reading but I found myself chuckling away reading this book. The story of 2 Brothers working at a private game reserve and their ridiculous mishaps was truly entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews