White Man's Grave: A Novel

by Richard Dooling

When Peace Corps volunteer Michael Killigan goes missing in West Africa, his father Randall and his best friend Boone Westfall begin separate quests to find him. Randall, a bankruptcy lawyer, is the warlord of his world, a shark in a fishbowl, exercising power with mad, relentless, hilarious glee; Boone, an American innocent abroad, journeys to the African bush, protected by the twin charms of the passport and the almighty dollar. In seeking Michael, both men find much more than they bargain for.

A satire, steeped in irony, chronicles the misadventures of Boone Westfall, who wanders through West Africa encountering witches, angry ancestors, and bad medicine in search of his missing friend Michael Killigan, whose high-powered lawyer father is conducting his own search.

Genres: Fiction, Africa, Mystery, Literature, Book Club, Travel, Novels

400 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Author Richard Dooling’s first novel, Critical Care, was made into a film directed by the great Sidney Lumet, starring James Spader and Helen Mirren. His second novel, White Man’s Grave, was a finalist for the 1994 National Book Award. His third novel, Brain Storm, and his fourth novel, Bet Your Life, were both New York Times Notable Books Of The Year.

In 2003-2004, Richard Dooling co-wrote and helped produce Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital for ABC. Under the pen name Eleanor Druse, a mystic and savant in residence at Kingdom Hospital, Richard Dooling also wrote The Journals of Eleanor Druse, a New York Times bestseller.

Richard Dooling was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended college and law school at Saint Louis University and worked for a few years as a registered respiratory therapist in Omaha and St. Louis.

He practiced law at Bryan Cave LLP in St. Louis for four years.

Richard Dooling lives with his wife, Kristy, in Montana.

Subscribe to I Would Prefer Not To, a quarterly newsletter by Richard Dooling, with links to his recent published essays, news about upcoming books, and new Kindle Unlimited editions of his old books. Sign up at dooling.com or at https://newsletter.dooling.com

Reviews

[Glenn Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Village in Sierra Leone, West Africa

Michael Killigan, a twentysomething Peace Corps volunteer stationed in a village in Sierra Leone, West Africa, goes missing during a time of turbulent political unrest. The search is on. Michael's father, a kingpin bankruptcy lawyer in Indianapolis, uses his money and influence to ensure all possible measures are taken by the government and related agencies to track down his son. Meanwhile, Boone, Michael's best friend, travels to Sierra Leone to join the quest.

White Man's Grave, (a term coined by British colonialists to describe Sierra Leone as a country infested with deadly malaria-carrying mosquitoes) is a much-overlooked classic originally published in 1994, a novel I've read multiple times. Richard Dooling has written an extraordinary work portraying the clash of two vastly different cultures: suburban Indianapolis, USA , and the West African bush. However, the American author cleverly highlights the similarities between tribal magic and the practices of our modern science and legal systems. As one anthropologist puts it, “Villagers hire bad medicine men, or hale nyamubla, to harm an enemy with witchcraft or bad medicine the same way an American would, say, hire a lawyer to sue somebody.”

The humor overflows when Richard Dooling details the various ways Boone Westfall, American born and bred, goes about “trying to find your way around Sierra Leone with a map of Indiana.” The comedy (and also the searing drama) snaps, crackles, and propulsively pops in many other ways. Here's a sampling:

WARLORD ON THE WARPATH
Michael Killigan's dad aspired to become the best bankruptcy lawyer in the country. “It would be a few years before Randall could scorch the earth in enough Chicago bankruptcy courts to make his name synonymous with commercial savagery in the Seventh Circuit, but he was working on it.” Randall Killigan lives and breathes the bankruptcy code, wielding enough knowledge to outmaneuver anyone who dares to oppose him. In his lavish office, surrounded by his legal team, which includes several women, Randall mutes the speakerphone when a lawyer presents a plan he's attempting to impose on Killigan's client. Randall fumes, “You pathetic village idiot. You can use your goddamed plan of reorganization as insulation in your shithouse, boy. I am going to cut your fucking head off and mount it on a pike in the middle of your front lawn, understand?” Randall is unapologetic about his coarse language, caring little if any of his assistants, particularly the women, take offense. Similarly, he promptly dismisses any accusations of chauvinism and sex discrimination from others in his firm, confident that he would easily prevail if they ever dared to sue him in court.

ARTISTE WANNABE
Boone Westfall studied literature and art in college. Now that he's a graduate, how is he going to make a living? Boone thinks he'll set up his art studio back home in his parents' basement. His father, the owner of an insurance company, tells Boone, “No,” and that, like his three older brothers, he can pay rent on his own apartment by working a job at the company. Once at the insurance office, brother Pete outlines Boone's duties in handling claims, or more accurately, denying claims. Pete gives Boone a couple of examples: denying a homeowner's claim (a responsible person doesn't let his house burn to the ground) and denying a cancer patient's claim for a bone transplant (a parent or grandparent surely had cancer, thus a preexisting condition, thus no coverage). Ruthlessness and deception, anyone? After a year on the job, Boone, the artist, has little reason to stick around and packs off to meet up with his friend Michael in Paris.

WEST AFRICAN BAD MAGIC IN INDIANA
Randall Killigan receives a mysterious package from Sierra Leone containing a foul smelling black egg-shaped something or other the size of a small football with a nasty red spout wrapped in ghastly rags. Thinking it might have some connection with his missing son, Randall puts it on a shelf in his bedroom closet next to his gun collection. Three nights thereafter it happens: Randall wakes up in the middle of the night.

“He saw or dreamed that he saw a bat in his own bedroom. A huge bat. He saw it by the muddy glow from the night light in the corner, just enough visibility to make him wonder if he was of sound mind and vision. At first, he concluded that he was hallucinating, because the thing was so big, with a three-or four-foot wingspan, big enough to darken the bedroom bay windows. He almost felt his ear cup itself and grow toward the fluttering image, straining to hear the whisper of leather wings. Then it almost deafened him with a loud thwock! that sounded like a piece of wood hitting a sounding board. Then thwock again – terrifyingly close to him and so loud he could feel sound rushing around his face like a current.”

The nightmare intensifies. Randall crawls across the room to his closet and grabs a tennis racket and then turns on the ceiling lights. “The bat shot directly overhead, so close he could see the massive span of its fingered wings, its furry torso, its shrieking face, which he glimpsed in one vivid instant, before blinking in terror. It had the head of a dog, or even a small horse, with a hideous, swollen snout, and lips bristling with warts or tumors. The eyes were large, innocent pools of blackness, staring in wonder, almost as if the creature did not quite believe in Randall either.”

A few more deadly swoops and the bat disappears. Randall's wife, Marjorie, wakes only to find a terrified Randall in his underwear holding his tennis racket. Take a look at the below photo and you can imagine the intensity of Randall's encounter with this bat, a bat he eventually is told by a bat expert is none other than a giant West African Fruit Bat. However, Randall Killigan, forever the rational lawyer, fails to make the connection between his vision and the mysterious bundle.



The way Randall goes about dealing with his horrific experience is one of the true highlights of the novel.

GOOBER IN THE AFRICAN BUSH
Again, Boone proves himself the prototypical arrogant, narrow-minded Westerner once he arrives in Sierra Leone. Any guesses on his finding his friend, Michael Killigan, or doing anybody any good with his presence among people whose culture and outlook on life are drastically different than his own?

White Man's Grave speaks to many of the multiple challenges we face here in 2023. Enlighten up; read this novel.


American novelist Richard Dooling, born 1954

[Moshtagh hosein · Rating 2 out of 5]

اگر همان سالی که کتاب رو خریده بودم می‌خواندمش،قطعا کناب خوشایندتری برام میشد تا الان که خواندمش.
به هر حال کتاب جالبی تز ادبیات افریقا و کشچر سیرالئون هست و کمی جادو جمبل هم داخلش هست.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The quick premise is that an ill/underprepared Peace Corps volunteer goes missing and his ruthless uber-capitalist father goes after him. Neither father nor son is quite prepared to take the local traditions seriously and...well...you learn a lot about cross-cultural respect, about Indigenous belief systems and having a healthy respect for things seen and unseen and, as but one consequence, you'll pay a lot more attention to trees. Parts are only scary, whereas other parts are utterly terrifying. Really great book, and a fast read--probably because you can't put it down.

[Titus Burley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Occasionally a book surfaces that is so thought-provoking it demands insertion into an academic curriculum. If the book is a novel it is a near certainty that if incorporated into a curriculum, that volume will only go into an English or Literature curriculum. "White Man's Grave" is one of those rare novels that deserves inclusion into the required reading list of any Sociology curriculum. The book raises fundamental questions about cultural perceptions of reality and poses a powerful case for our cultural preconditioning and preconceptions being the greatest determining factor in what we as individuals perceive as reality. The experiences of a type A, go getter, successful American father searching for his do-gooder altruistic son who has disappeared in Sierra Leone are the perfect setting for this juxtaposition of cultural reality. He leaves a land of logic and enters a land of magic where logic is a useless tool and more of a hinderance than a help. Great thinkers with brilliant minds do not always make the best novelists; brilliance has a way of hovering above the layman in lofty clouds of inaccessibility. Fortunately for readers, Dooling has the narrative skill to bring his genius to ground level. This book was deservedly nominated for the National Book Award when it was published and probably should have won the award. It is a book I haved vowed to read again in the course of my life, and I fully expect to ponder it and enjoy it as much the second time around as I did the first.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Dooling's book to be a huge disappointment. It's a bit annoying to have the author and characters tell you the culture is too complex to be explained, but then they attempt to explain it anyway and primarily focus on witchcraft, rather than family and inter-village relations, as well colonial failures that have affected the culture of the Mende people. Mostly, I felt like Dooling had written a research paper on the Mende tribe and tried to turn it into a story. While there was some promise with the possibility of black magic from West Africa coming into Randall Killigan's life in America, I felt that part of the story could have been developed better and furthermore, parts of the story concerning the details of Randall were irrelevant and annoyingly verbose. There were paragraphs that could have been omitted and still could have effectively told the story.

[Thurston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Having spent two years in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, I can attest to its accuracy. Anyone planning on traveling in this part of the world would be well advised to read this book.

[Margob99 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book engrossed, disgusted and infuriated me. A dark telling of the bumblings of white westerners in the magic-filled worlds of Sierra Leone, it came across as both deeply cynical and self-effacing. Wish I could say I enjoyed it, but while I forced myself through to the finish, I was relieved to finally dispense with the damned thing.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this was a book. Due to a unique schedule during the fall, my book reading goes to nil Sept-December for the most part. I finally found an opportunity and picked up this "Impressive.....sharply satiric" novel that I hadn't heard of before. Concept was "american people trying to figure out west africa to varying degrees of success" and pretty obvious Dooling was trying to take a Bonfire of the Vanities view to it's extreme. But...end of the day...it was kinda boring. I never really chuckled nor was that shocked at much. The characters all seemed to stay in their lanes that we knew about from the beginning. Could be i wasn't in the right frame of mind, but I can't see myself giving Dooling another shot.

[Diana Coe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read White Man's Grave three times now. This is the one paperback I have bought twice and now keep along with all of my beloved hardcovers. Dooling writes a wonderfully intertwined tale of two very disparate cultures. The crux of the story revolves around the almighty American dollar versus ancient, time-honored African customs. I came away from this book feeling very much vindicated in my belief that cultures should remain intact and while we can do our small part to help (as these peace corps volunteers intended) we may be doing more harm than good.

[Leif Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Great PCV novel. Funnier than any novel on the suffering of western Africa has any right to be, and a corrosive commentary on dominate tribal values of the middle of North America. Westfall's vision of his life in an Indiana sub-division is worth the price of admission alone.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witchcraft anyone? Bush devils and fierce satire collide in this story partly set in the jungle in Sierra Leone -- a must read for aspiring Peace Corps volunteers who are poised to disappear in West Africa. Dig it!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fiction with a suprisingly accurate bit about Peace Corps hostels and bars.

[Brenda Richardson · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I kept a list of books that I started out liking and ended up loathing this would hold the top 5 or so spots.

[Charles Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a massively overlooked novel and is so close to perfection in my mind. It tells the story of a white American midwesterner who travels to Africa to retrieve his best friend from an obscure tribe in the middle of a jungle. The author satirizes any number of things, including poking fun at the insurance industry and how it uses a complex legal framework to deny claims. More so it’s a commentary on cultural differences between westerners and African tribe members. While Americans prefer individualism and sometimes revere social isolation (Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”), Africans are collectivist and may perceive westerners as outcasts (and accuse them of witchcraft because of how often they insist on being alone). There were so many other interesting ideas here, and the author really paints a picture throughout the book of liberal idealism being worn down by new cultural experiences. The main character encounters two white people, Sam Lewis and Sisay, in Africa. Sam Lewis is a hedonist who exploits the poor villagers for all they are worth, soliciting prostitutes and doing drugs. Sisay is a former anthropologist who becomes obsessed with the tribe he is studying and essentially abandons his former life to live among his new “family”. Lewis views Africa with a more realistic worldview and is, despite his flaws, a more sympathetic character that I found myself relating to more. Sisay was a slightly condescending and unlikable helper, but he was ultimately of more use to Boone. The real lesson here is that, although some worship money, and others place undue veneration on poverty, it is better to live a life in which you feel socially fulfilled, not to abandon your moral principles.

[Karl Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a book! White Man's Grave was recommended to me by another professor while I was teaching a graduate course on conflict at a university in Africa. The story is captivating, interesting and very helpful in understanding some of the worldview perspectives of traditional African culture. Yes, I understand that every tribal group has a particular worldview, but my experience in Africa (I've been there over 40 times and to numerous African nations) indicates that there are some commonalities - just like there are commonalities in Western cultures. If you have an interest in exploring different worldviews (especially in an African context), and comparing it to how Americans see the world, this is a great story to read. You'll also get some accurate insights into international aid and how it works (it's not an effective or efficient process, and often does more damage than good). Loved the book. Recommend it highly.

[Marleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a very long time to get through this. It was fine, I guess; just not my personal taste. I read it at the recommendation of a friend who was in the Peace Corps in Africa in the 90s. For what it's worth, he says everything in this book is pretty much spot-on what it was really like. But waaaay too much detail for my taste. I was curious enough to find out what happened to the son/friend that I wanted to keep reading to find out, but I just felt too bogged down by the details. I ended up just skimming and reading dialogue mostly, to just get through it. I got a little confused, too, between reality and the character's imagination. I think that was intentional but it just left me grasping for explanation and understanding without finding any.

[Joseph O Zwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Opening and a great read.

I never imagined what it would be like to live in a village of mud huts and crazy superstitions. An entirely different world that few can imagine, no matter how many articles in National Geographic we see thru life. You question what’s real until the very end, and left craving to know more or hoping for a sequel. I loved it and highly recommend it for those who like mind bending thoughts, and witchcraft.

[Rachel Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and page turning story. Though I think it was a bit long and rambling. I enjoyed the details of African culture and the characters are well written. The government corruption involving both African countries along with The United States is intriguing as well!

[Jamie Kern · Rating 1 out of 5]

no…..just, no

I lasted 54% into this book before throwing my hands in the air. His writing is droll, no character development. I didn’t and still don’t care what happened to Killigan!

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still not sure what I think. I'll have to live with it a little longer. Reminds me a lot of Poisonwood Bible from a different perspective.
One thing that really bugs me, though, is that the reason for the ndeile being sent to Randall Killigan and who sent it is never revealed. There doesn't seem to be any real reason for it to have been sent to him since he has nothing to do with the main story unfolding in Africa.....It's an interesting side story, but - why?

[Coreking · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is remarkable

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Katie and Marta for the recommendation!

[Andrew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read if in the mood for satire.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read about 50 pages of this book. It just did not interest me.

[Monika Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very unusual

[Salahuddin Hourani]

ملاحظة لي: لم اقرا الكتاب بعد

مقترح من ستيفين كينغ

[Hpnyknits · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long

[Leanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of satire but really enjoyed this. Reading so much in Krio was a learning curve but a good one.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was well written and the experience of a white man in the developing world was nicely done, the plot never fully came together for me. It also could have been about 100 pages shorter, as there were so many sections that really didn't add too much to advancing a new understanding of the characters or the plot. Overall, I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure I would go out of my way to recommend it to others.

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Library Journal
Behind the fairly simple story of a Peace Corps volunteer missing in West Africa and a friend's search to find him, one feels that some larger significance is brooding and expects it to appear at any moment. Unfortunately, it never does. The pace is fast, the style lush, and the atmosphere slightly ominous; there is plenty of action, adventure, and suspense; but somehow Dooling has not quite managed to make it all come alive. The result has to be one of the longest shaggy-dog stories on record. The book would have been better if the author had curbed his tendency to overexpansiveness and exercised a little control of his material. A potentially good novel that does not quite make it.

Booklist
Dooling's novel reads like two different books--both worthwhile and engaging. One is the story of Boone Westfall, a nice young Hoosier who travels to primitive, impoverished Sierra Leone in West Africa to search for his best friend, Michael Killigan, a Peace Corps volunteer who has disappeared. Boone's story is the oft-told tale of a white in black Africa who is slow to understand that his way isn't the only way. It's filled with vivid, authentic-sounding portraits of the harshness of life in the bush and of magic, witches, swears, and counterswears. The second story is a spectacularly wicked satire about bankruptcy lawyers, personified by the missing volunteer's father. Randall Killigan, Dooling tells us, has made his name "synonymous with commerical savagery in the Seventh Circuit" and has "less and less time for nonbankruptcy irritations and intrusions," like the disappearance of his son. One of Dooling's points, of course, is to make sure readers ask themselves, Who is the primitive?