What do you think?
Rate this book
A Savage Garden
A Savage Garden is a powerful, thought-provoking and action-packed thriller set in the lawless wilds of the Congo.Jack Norton is an ex-Navy Seal who came to Africa to make a difference. Now he's a jaded mercenary who hires himself out to the highest bidder, whether for good or evil, Red Cross or war lord.
However, when Jack agrees to fly some injured children to a hospital in the Congo, he has no idea that a year later the destiny of a whole country will rest on his shoulders.For Jack is employed to protect a man named Papa Jim and his troop of rescued child soldiers. Papa Jim's plan - to educate these boys abroad for a future intelligent revolution - offers hope, yet is funded by a secret diamond mine. And Papa Jim's enemies won't stop until they get their hands on those blood diamonds ...
With the help of his old friend, former British Army Captain Mark Wilkinson, Jack embarks on an odyssey across Africa on a helter-skelter quest to save the boys, a broken country … and perhaps himself.
However, when Jack agrees to fly some injured children to a hospital in the Congo, he has no idea that a year later the destiny of a whole country will rest on his shoulders.For Jack is employed to protect a man named Papa Jim and his troop of rescued child soldiers. Papa Jim's plan - to educate these boys abroad for a future intelligent revolution - offers hope, yet is funded by a secret diamond mine. And Papa Jim's enemies won't stop until they get their hands on those blood diamonds ...
With the help of his old friend, former British Army Captain Mark Wilkinson, Jack embarks on an odyssey across Africa on a helter-skelter quest to save the boys, a broken country … and perhaps himself.
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2014
28 people want to read
About the author
Chris Muir
8 books1 followerChris Muir has worked in the advertising industry for 36 years and has won many creative awards. He currently owns and runs the advertising agency, Smoke Signals.
He has travelled widely; trekked the Kokoda Track, been kidnapped by orang-utans in Borneo, driven herds of brumbies across the Australian Alps and lived in New York, London and Singapore.
But it was Africa that stole his heart. Since his first trip in 1994 to experience his ‘Gorillas in the Mist' moment in Rwanda, he has gone back many times to continue the adventure and his love affair with this amazing continent and its even more amazing people.
Chris has lived with the Massai in Tanzania, spent months on end in the Congo, lived with gorillas on the top of mountains, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in the winter, seen the worst of humanity in the prelude to the Rwandan genocide, canoed down the Zambezi River, hot air ballooned across the Serengeti, sailed a dhow across Lake Victoria...and been held at gunpoint more times than he cares to consider...But even with that, Africa continues to lure him back.
Chris lives in Sydney and has two boys. He regularly competes is long distance endurance races (because he's slightly mad) and likes to cook for friends, but mostly you'll find him clanking away at a keyboard writing his next novel.
He has travelled widely; trekked the Kokoda Track, been kidnapped by orang-utans in Borneo, driven herds of brumbies across the Australian Alps and lived in New York, London and Singapore.
But it was Africa that stole his heart. Since his first trip in 1994 to experience his ‘Gorillas in the Mist' moment in Rwanda, he has gone back many times to continue the adventure and his love affair with this amazing continent and its even more amazing people.
Chris has lived with the Massai in Tanzania, spent months on end in the Congo, lived with gorillas on the top of mountains, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in the winter, seen the worst of humanity in the prelude to the Rwandan genocide, canoed down the Zambezi River, hot air ballooned across the Serengeti, sailed a dhow across Lake Victoria...and been held at gunpoint more times than he cares to consider...But even with that, Africa continues to lure him back.
Chris lives in Sydney and has two boys. He regularly competes is long distance endurance races (because he's slightly mad) and likes to cook for friends, but mostly you'll find him clanking away at a keyboard writing his next novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 27, 2014
4.5 stars....
As ex-Navy Seal, Jack Norton left the woman he had just spent seven days with, days where he found himself thinking that maybe, just maybe he did have a heart after all, and Sophie had just found it, he wondered if he would see her again. Flying the helicopter with little Jolie inside, headed for the orphanage in which she would become educated, with her dearest wish to become a doctor and save her country’s people, Jack suddenly spotted the enemy heading toward where he had just left Sophie. Wheeling the chopper around, occupied in the firefight that ensued, they barely escaped – but when he headed back and saw the evidence of his own eyes, he was shattered.
The twelve months following that disastrous day had found him wallowing in the depths of alcohol, so when he heard a familiar voice shouting out across the room, he was surprised to see his old friend, ex-British army captain Mark Wilkinson. It had been years since they had seen one another, so the reminiscing and talking went on for hours – the alcohol consumed seemed endless. Then continuing on in Mark’s home, meeting his pregnant wife, Isabella, Jack and Mark were suddenly confronted by two men, big menacing looking men – but these men wanted to employ Jack.
Papa Jim’s grand plan was to educate Africa’s young child soldiers – sending them overseas to different schools and universities. He would rescue these children and after training them, it was their turn to leave the Congo for a better life. But the expense of his enterprise was immense – his secret diamond mine, though covering costs, was becoming a draw to the war lords and evil doers of the country – Papa Jim’s life, and the lives of his children were in great danger.
As Jack and Mark prepared to protect Papa Jim and the children, the race against time, and the enemy, was on. Their trek across Africa was fraught with immense danger, against a bigger enemy that would stop at nothing to gain what they wanted. What would happen? Would they succeed – could they possibly succeed?
What an incredible thriller! This debut novel by Aussie author Chris Muir is filled with action, a pace that doesn’t stop, and tension that grabbed me and didn’t let go! The ending was excellent – I certainly didn’t see it coming! I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
As ex-Navy Seal, Jack Norton left the woman he had just spent seven days with, days where he found himself thinking that maybe, just maybe he did have a heart after all, and Sophie had just found it, he wondered if he would see her again. Flying the helicopter with little Jolie inside, headed for the orphanage in which she would become educated, with her dearest wish to become a doctor and save her country’s people, Jack suddenly spotted the enemy heading toward where he had just left Sophie. Wheeling the chopper around, occupied in the firefight that ensued, they barely escaped – but when he headed back and saw the evidence of his own eyes, he was shattered.
The twelve months following that disastrous day had found him wallowing in the depths of alcohol, so when he heard a familiar voice shouting out across the room, he was surprised to see his old friend, ex-British army captain Mark Wilkinson. It had been years since they had seen one another, so the reminiscing and talking went on for hours – the alcohol consumed seemed endless. Then continuing on in Mark’s home, meeting his pregnant wife, Isabella, Jack and Mark were suddenly confronted by two men, big menacing looking men – but these men wanted to employ Jack.
Papa Jim’s grand plan was to educate Africa’s young child soldiers – sending them overseas to different schools and universities. He would rescue these children and after training them, it was their turn to leave the Congo for a better life. But the expense of his enterprise was immense – his secret diamond mine, though covering costs, was becoming a draw to the war lords and evil doers of the country – Papa Jim’s life, and the lives of his children were in great danger.
As Jack and Mark prepared to protect Papa Jim and the children, the race against time, and the enemy, was on. Their trek across Africa was fraught with immense danger, against a bigger enemy that would stop at nothing to gain what they wanted. What would happen? Would they succeed – could they possibly succeed?
What an incredible thriller! This debut novel by Aussie author Chris Muir is filled with action, a pace that doesn’t stop, and tension that grabbed me and didn’t let go! The ending was excellent – I certainly didn’t see it coming! I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
April 25, 2019
I was seriously considering adding South Africa to my bucket list as friends have mentioned how spectacular the countryside is in their hometown, however the more I learn about the African continent, having read quite a few books set in various parts of Africa, - wars within wars, greed, corruption, violence, rebel militia armies and bounty hunters - the more I am resisting adding it to my list of places I want to visit. In all seriousness the country scares the bejeezus out of me and for good reason…
Chris Muir, the author of this book has travelled to Africa many times and he has been held at gunpoint, ‘been led off into the jungle to be killed by militia…, he’s seen child soldiers shoot their parents…’ - there ya go do I need to say more? Eeek!
Jack Norton an ex US Navy Seal and helicopter pilot is courageous and obviously a little nutty trekking the Congo jungle in search of the blood diamonds stolen from Papa Jim, a man who has hired him to save rescued child soldiers. Surrounded by many enemies, torturers and murderers Jack is lucky to make it out alive. This was an explosive read and one that will stay with me for a while.
An action-packed, roller coaster ride that doesn’t let up until the final page.
*Book #4 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge
*Book #7/72 of my coffee table to-read pile challenge
Chris Muir, the author of this book has travelled to Africa many times and he has been held at gunpoint, ‘been led off into the jungle to be killed by militia…, he’s seen child soldiers shoot their parents…’ - there ya go do I need to say more? Eeek!
Jack Norton an ex US Navy Seal and helicopter pilot is courageous and obviously a little nutty trekking the Congo jungle in search of the blood diamonds stolen from Papa Jim, a man who has hired him to save rescued child soldiers. Surrounded by many enemies, torturers and murderers Jack is lucky to make it out alive. This was an explosive read and one that will stay with me for a while.
An action-packed, roller coaster ride that doesn’t let up until the final page.
*Book #4 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge
*Book #7/72 of my coffee table to-read pile challenge
January 28, 2014
Many years ago Jack Norton, a former Navy SEAL came to Africa to make a difference. But that was a long time ago and exposure to the hopelessness and corruption of the area has jaded him immensely and now he hires himself out as a helicopter pilot to the highest bidder. It doesn’t matter who pays him or what they want him to do, so long as he gets paid.
However when Jack flies some injured children to a hospital in the Congo it leads to a chance meeting with a humanitarian doctor who still retains a starry-eyed view of Africa and a belief in change. Jack falls in love and comes to question the way his life has gone and the fact that he has left his own views of wanting to help change in the past. When he experiences tragedy, he drifts until he meets a man known as Papa Joe who wants Jack to help him with his plan.
Papa Joe has been rescuing children in the Congo from poverty, disease and death for a long time, trying to implement his long term plan to educate them and then use them to bring about the change the country so desperately needs. He wants Jack’s help in executing the plan, funded by a diamond mine, the existence and location of which is known to only a few people in the world. Papa Joe needs Jack’s skills and although he takes some convincing, it’s just the sort of exercise that can help Jack find his way again.
For the last couple of years, I’ve had a real fascination with novels set in Africa. I’ve never been there and it’s unlikely that I ever will go there but it fascinates me all the same. I’ve never really thought too much about why that is but I suppose I’d say it’s the difference between it and what I know. I can read a book set in the UK or America or Canada or even parts of Europe and there’s plenty there to find that’s very familiar. With a lot of books set in Africa, almost nothing is familiar.
Jack Norton has been in Africa a long time and he’s gone from being idealistic, thinking about being an implement of change to being a paid mercenary for hire to the highest bidder. He’s seen enough corruption and violence to last a lifetime and no longer thinks that he or anyone else can make a difference. Nothing an individual does can stand up against the many who serve their own interests and use others as pawns. Meeting Sophie, a French doctor changes that. Sophie is still possessed of that dream to change Africa, to haul it into democracy and harmony and her passion and enthusiasm spark something in Jack once again.
This book is interesting because it’s one of the first ones I’ve read that poses a solution to “the Africa problem” and by that I mean the wars, the famines, the genocide, the government corruption, the military presence and whatever else has contributed to the continent and the many countries within it disintegrating into chaos. It’s using Africans to fix the problems, to bring about the change. Not the UN, not America or Britain or experts from anywhere else but Africans born and raised in the Congo. I’m not sure how successful the posed solution would be but it’s something. And there are some really good ideas and problematic as it might be, it’s something that it’s hard not to get hopeful about and that’s something Jack experiences. When Papa Joe first approaches him about helping him with his plan, Jack is reluctant and borderline hostile. Slowly Papa Joe wins him over with conviction and dedication until Jack is as big a believer as Papa Joe is and is willing to go the extra yard to get done what needs to be done. I also like that this book explores what can possibly go wrong with ‘the plan’ as is evidenced by one of the situations later in the novel. There’s an acknowledgement that Papa Joe’s plan is just the beginning and that it would be a long, slow process to bring about the change they believe the area requires.
There’s action in this book, plenty of near misses with torturers and murderers, some daring escapes both on foot and in several helicopters and there’s also mateship and armed forces comraderie and a love story. One of my favourite parts was actually the call to arms for the retired soldiers around the world to help out Jack and his mate in a situation that required some special talents. But more than all of that, it’s also a thoughtful exploration of Africa, the Congo in particular and some of the problems that have led it to where it is now and how it might be possible for it to begin to extract itself from the situation. It’s a very well rounded debut and a highly enjoyable story.
However when Jack flies some injured children to a hospital in the Congo it leads to a chance meeting with a humanitarian doctor who still retains a starry-eyed view of Africa and a belief in change. Jack falls in love and comes to question the way his life has gone and the fact that he has left his own views of wanting to help change in the past. When he experiences tragedy, he drifts until he meets a man known as Papa Joe who wants Jack to help him with his plan.
Papa Joe has been rescuing children in the Congo from poverty, disease and death for a long time, trying to implement his long term plan to educate them and then use them to bring about the change the country so desperately needs. He wants Jack’s help in executing the plan, funded by a diamond mine, the existence and location of which is known to only a few people in the world. Papa Joe needs Jack’s skills and although he takes some convincing, it’s just the sort of exercise that can help Jack find his way again.
For the last couple of years, I’ve had a real fascination with novels set in Africa. I’ve never been there and it’s unlikely that I ever will go there but it fascinates me all the same. I’ve never really thought too much about why that is but I suppose I’d say it’s the difference between it and what I know. I can read a book set in the UK or America or Canada or even parts of Europe and there’s plenty there to find that’s very familiar. With a lot of books set in Africa, almost nothing is familiar.
Jack Norton has been in Africa a long time and he’s gone from being idealistic, thinking about being an implement of change to being a paid mercenary for hire to the highest bidder. He’s seen enough corruption and violence to last a lifetime and no longer thinks that he or anyone else can make a difference. Nothing an individual does can stand up against the many who serve their own interests and use others as pawns. Meeting Sophie, a French doctor changes that. Sophie is still possessed of that dream to change Africa, to haul it into democracy and harmony and her passion and enthusiasm spark something in Jack once again.
This book is interesting because it’s one of the first ones I’ve read that poses a solution to “the Africa problem” and by that I mean the wars, the famines, the genocide, the government corruption, the military presence and whatever else has contributed to the continent and the many countries within it disintegrating into chaos. It’s using Africans to fix the problems, to bring about the change. Not the UN, not America or Britain or experts from anywhere else but Africans born and raised in the Congo. I’m not sure how successful the posed solution would be but it’s something. And there are some really good ideas and problematic as it might be, it’s something that it’s hard not to get hopeful about and that’s something Jack experiences. When Papa Joe first approaches him about helping him with his plan, Jack is reluctant and borderline hostile. Slowly Papa Joe wins him over with conviction and dedication until Jack is as big a believer as Papa Joe is and is willing to go the extra yard to get done what needs to be done. I also like that this book explores what can possibly go wrong with ‘the plan’ as is evidenced by one of the situations later in the novel. There’s an acknowledgement that Papa Joe’s plan is just the beginning and that it would be a long, slow process to bring about the change they believe the area requires.
There’s action in this book, plenty of near misses with torturers and murderers, some daring escapes both on foot and in several helicopters and there’s also mateship and armed forces comraderie and a love story. One of my favourite parts was actually the call to arms for the retired soldiers around the world to help out Jack and his mate in a situation that required some special talents. But more than all of that, it’s also a thoughtful exploration of Africa, the Congo in particular and some of the problems that have led it to where it is now and how it might be possible for it to begin to extract itself from the situation. It’s a very well rounded debut and a highly enjoyable story.
February 10, 2014
A Savage Garden centers on the devastating stories of war within wars, extreme methods of killing, betrayal, power, greed and heartbreak. But it is no ordinary story because it also carries a life valuable lesson. There is love and care in there somewhere. Debut author Chris Muir put his own spin in his “love letter” of sorts to Africa and I can’t help but think how evil can really someone or many people can get to satisfy their lust for earthly desires.
The story started quite simply where the protagonist Jack Norton was at a bar in Africa where he had lived for many years now as a mercenary. He is an ex- Navy Seal and from the first looks of it, he is not someone who will do anybody good because of his job and he definitely looks like someone with a troubled past. He also thinks he’s seen it all. The poverty, death, illnesses and other afflictions and this has somehow taken its toll on Jack’s persona. But all that will change in a matter of seconds when he was asked to accompany some abused children to the hospital.
That’s where he will meet his would be love of his life Sophie Boissieux, a beautiful and caring French doctor. This is also where we can see that he’s got a good heart in there if only he will listen to it and stop being stubborn. But Jack was meant to go away for awhile because he has a job to do. Before he went away, there is a young girl named Jolie who didn’t have one leg who wanted to go to an orphanage in another place in the hopes of becoming a doctor one day. Jack was able to drop her off but bad things happen along the way like them being chased by armed men in helicopters and Dr. Boissieux being abducted and the possibility of being killed.
Jack felt devastated with what happened and instead of allowing himself to find his true heart went back to his old ways. This is where he bump into his old friend from the Navy, Mark Wilkinson. They talked as if no years have set them apart and chat about their old friends when two mysterious men appeared out of nowhere and wanted to talk to them. They declined and went on their way back to Mark’s home but instead they meet them again and of all places they see them again approaching Mark and his wife’s house who told them that these two men is Noah, Isabella’s brother and Papa Jim, the leader of the four hundred plus young boys who will someday change how people will look at Africa.
This is where all the actions will begin.
Think of it as their way of saving lives that is ignored by society because they got used to it. The two friends will get to know more about the blood diamonds and how it will help them start a new revolution to aid the people of Africa one day. Jack with the help of Mark will be the main contributing factor to help one of these two mysterious men in making an intelligent change that will someday make the world realize how magnificent Africa truly is. But before that happens, a lot of things will go on first such as Jack being captured by the very same people stealing those diamonds, he will undergo a lot of pain and will see a millions more pain from other captives which will in turn be one of the reasons why he will want to know more about what is going on.
He will also meet some people along the way. A person from Jack’s past will re-surface and he will begin to wonder if everything he is doing is for a good cause. And he will soon find out in his heart how he will be able to forgive someday. There are many more struggles along the way but what the end will be is what you really have to be after because it is so heartwarming.
Chris is a great story teller because this kind of story is something that most probably won’t stand out to me but with his kind of writing, I can honestly say that I was hooked the instant I met the characters. No need for a lot of romance here. The storyline is already enough. In the midst of the chaos it is so good to know that there will be hope. And this is what you need to be ready for. This is a must read for everyone who wants to get a true idea on what is happening there coming from a man who has experienced it for himself. Kudos to Chris for an exceptional book, I hope to I can read another story of yours again.
Ebook copy of this title was given to me by the publicist through netgalley.com.
For Q&A with the author, go visit my blog. http://goodnightcarolina.blogspot.com...
The story started quite simply where the protagonist Jack Norton was at a bar in Africa where he had lived for many years now as a mercenary. He is an ex- Navy Seal and from the first looks of it, he is not someone who will do anybody good because of his job and he definitely looks like someone with a troubled past. He also thinks he’s seen it all. The poverty, death, illnesses and other afflictions and this has somehow taken its toll on Jack’s persona. But all that will change in a matter of seconds when he was asked to accompany some abused children to the hospital.
That’s where he will meet his would be love of his life Sophie Boissieux, a beautiful and caring French doctor. This is also where we can see that he’s got a good heart in there if only he will listen to it and stop being stubborn. But Jack was meant to go away for awhile because he has a job to do. Before he went away, there is a young girl named Jolie who didn’t have one leg who wanted to go to an orphanage in another place in the hopes of becoming a doctor one day. Jack was able to drop her off but bad things happen along the way like them being chased by armed men in helicopters and Dr. Boissieux being abducted and the possibility of being killed.
Jack felt devastated with what happened and instead of allowing himself to find his true heart went back to his old ways. This is where he bump into his old friend from the Navy, Mark Wilkinson. They talked as if no years have set them apart and chat about their old friends when two mysterious men appeared out of nowhere and wanted to talk to them. They declined and went on their way back to Mark’s home but instead they meet them again and of all places they see them again approaching Mark and his wife’s house who told them that these two men is Noah, Isabella’s brother and Papa Jim, the leader of the four hundred plus young boys who will someday change how people will look at Africa.
This is where all the actions will begin.
Think of it as their way of saving lives that is ignored by society because they got used to it. The two friends will get to know more about the blood diamonds and how it will help them start a new revolution to aid the people of Africa one day. Jack with the help of Mark will be the main contributing factor to help one of these two mysterious men in making an intelligent change that will someday make the world realize how magnificent Africa truly is. But before that happens, a lot of things will go on first such as Jack being captured by the very same people stealing those diamonds, he will undergo a lot of pain and will see a millions more pain from other captives which will in turn be one of the reasons why he will want to know more about what is going on.
He will also meet some people along the way. A person from Jack’s past will re-surface and he will begin to wonder if everything he is doing is for a good cause. And he will soon find out in his heart how he will be able to forgive someday. There are many more struggles along the way but what the end will be is what you really have to be after because it is so heartwarming.
Chris is a great story teller because this kind of story is something that most probably won’t stand out to me but with his kind of writing, I can honestly say that I was hooked the instant I met the characters. No need for a lot of romance here. The storyline is already enough. In the midst of the chaos it is so good to know that there will be hope. And this is what you need to be ready for. This is a must read for everyone who wants to get a true idea on what is happening there coming from a man who has experienced it for himself. Kudos to Chris for an exceptional book, I hope to I can read another story of yours again.
Ebook copy of this title was given to me by the publicist through netgalley.com.
For Q&A with the author, go visit my blog. http://goodnightcarolina.blogspot.com...
January 19, 2014
This is a debut novel (rating 3.5 stars) by an Australian author set in a part of Africa he knows well - The Republic of Congo. It is a dangerous place (5.5 million people were killed in the second Congo War and subsequent famine) and free-lance militia still roam the country killing anyone who gets in their way.
Jack Norton, ex US Navy SEAL and helicopter pilot, came to Africa 20 years ago wanting to make a difference. Jack is still there, now a jaded mercenary who will take any job as long as it pays enough for his beer in seedy bars in dangerous countries throughout Africa. When Jack agrees to fly some injured children in a borrowed helicopter to a remote hospital in the Congo he doesn't realise that it will change his destiny, the destiny of many children and possibly the destiny of the country.
At the hospital Jack meets Sophie Boissieux, a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières, and asks her why she came to Africa. She replies "Guilt..(the children) have so little and I have so much". Despite their differences Jack and Sophie make an emotional connection that will change his life for ever. He also meets Jolie, a spirited teenager with a wooden leg, and agrees to fly her to an orphanage which will be able to give her an education. As they fly out Jack sees the hospital overrun by rebels who fire at the helicopter and he flees.
Jack's world collapses and he goes back to a world of eternal hangover until he is approached for help by a huge African American who wants him to help protect him and his a troop of child soldiers. The children call him "Papa Jim", a kindly doctor with a plan to send these boys abroad to be educated so they can return and become the future leaders of a stable country. Papa Jim is funding his "intelligent revolution" from a secret diamond mine but his enemies want to take the mine away from him. Jack gets involved in a bloody battle to save the mine and the boys.
All in all this was a promising, action-packed and surprisingly compassionate debut novel about a part of the world which is rarely covered in fictional thrillers. At the end of the book I found it difficult to rate it so I revisited parts of the book and found that they were much better than first time around. My main reservation was that the battles with the diamond dealers became a bit over the top and similar to many of the action-packed escapist adventures where the heroes take on an army and win despite overwhelming odds.
It is good to find another contemporary author with the knowledge and skills to write something about Africa that is action-packed, realistic and compassionate. It is also interesting that Chris Muir has a similar background to one of my favourite authors, Tony Park, also an Australian, who has also travelled widely in modern Africa, and fallen under its spell.
An e-book ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Jack Norton, ex US Navy SEAL and helicopter pilot, came to Africa 20 years ago wanting to make a difference. Jack is still there, now a jaded mercenary who will take any job as long as it pays enough for his beer in seedy bars in dangerous countries throughout Africa. When Jack agrees to fly some injured children in a borrowed helicopter to a remote hospital in the Congo he doesn't realise that it will change his destiny, the destiny of many children and possibly the destiny of the country.
At the hospital Jack meets Sophie Boissieux, a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières, and asks her why she came to Africa. She replies "Guilt..(the children) have so little and I have so much". Despite their differences Jack and Sophie make an emotional connection that will change his life for ever. He also meets Jolie, a spirited teenager with a wooden leg, and agrees to fly her to an orphanage which will be able to give her an education. As they fly out Jack sees the hospital overrun by rebels who fire at the helicopter and he flees.
Jack's world collapses and he goes back to a world of eternal hangover until he is approached for help by a huge African American who wants him to help protect him and his a troop of child soldiers. The children call him "Papa Jim", a kindly doctor with a plan to send these boys abroad to be educated so they can return and become the future leaders of a stable country. Papa Jim is funding his "intelligent revolution" from a secret diamond mine but his enemies want to take the mine away from him. Jack gets involved in a bloody battle to save the mine and the boys.
All in all this was a promising, action-packed and surprisingly compassionate debut novel about a part of the world which is rarely covered in fictional thrillers. At the end of the book I found it difficult to rate it so I revisited parts of the book and found that they were much better than first time around. My main reservation was that the battles with the diamond dealers became a bit over the top and similar to many of the action-packed escapist adventures where the heroes take on an army and win despite overwhelming odds.
It is good to find another contemporary author with the knowledge and skills to write something about Africa that is action-packed, realistic and compassionate. It is also interesting that Chris Muir has a similar background to one of my favourite authors, Tony Park, also an Australian, who has also travelled widely in modern Africa, and fallen under its spell.
An e-book ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
April 19, 2014
This book is full of action, good strong characters, a romance and a compelling history of African conflicts. It could have been great, and as I devoured the first half I thought it was... But then I came to the final few chapters and it all fell apart for me. It seemed rushed and the idea of the new narrator annoyed me. Plus, the readers wanted to see the characters get together again, not just read about the fact that it happened! So, good writing, great in parts, and 80% of it was fantastic, just let down by those last few chapters... Look forward to reading the next one.
May 1, 2014
Loved the start and middle as it was based in the mysterious Congo which I love to read about, but can honestly never find any books based there. I felt the story line was engrossing and sometimes horrifyingly true but was let down by the way it seemed to be rambling on at the end which was a huge let down. Would like to give it a 3.5.
July 20, 2014
This is a tough read with lots of great insights into life in Africa for Africans, and a hard look at the way the world views Africa. I found the language confronting and the heaviness of the story a bit overwhelming.
June 7, 2014
A powerful journey into African environment.
This novel is fiction, however feels so real and close to the truth.
A recommended read.
This novel is fiction, however feels so real and close to the truth.
A recommended read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews