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African Sky #2
African Dawn
Natalie is ten years old when she is kidnapped by guerrillas from her grandparents' farm in Rhodesia. Bloodied, terrified, and beaten at the hands of her captor, her life is saved when a young soldier comes to her rescue.Thirty years later, Natalie returns to her homeland, now Zimbabwe. She becomes embroiled in the dangerous world of rhino conservation. Hunters are making a fortune on the black market by selling the horns and the survival of the black rhino is at stake. Natalie and her family must fight - not only to save Zimbabwe's rhinos, but to save themselves from the enemies who surround them.Spanning fifty years and three generations, African Dawn is the breathtaking saga of three families dealing with dark secrets and violent threats.
577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
97 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Tony Park
37 books299 followersTony Park was born in 1964 and grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. He has worked as a newspaper reporter in Australia and England, a government press secretary, a public relations consultant, and a freelance writer.
He served 34 years in the Australian Army Reserve, including six months in Afghanistan in 2002.
Tony and his wife, Nicola, split their time between Australia and Africa, where they own a house on the edge of of the Kruger National Park.
His 18th African novel, Last Survivor, went to number 1 in South Africa. His 19th novel, Blood Trail, will be released worldwide on August 1, 2021.
Praise for Tony Park
“Wilbur Smith...fans will not be disappointed to have found a spiritual heir,” The Times, London
“Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer.” Canberra Weekly
“One of our best and most consistent thriller writers.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Since Wilbur Smith in his heyday, no one has written as well about southern Africa than Tony Park.” Crime Review (UK)
The Delta: “Break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page, its charm is infectious.” Daily Mail, UK
“Tony Park exudes a love and deep knowledge of southern Africa in every line and character he creates in his books.” The Citizen, South Africa.
Far Horizon “Watch your back, Wilbur,” Qantas, The Australian Way
Zambezi: “a compulsive page turner” Sydney Morning Herald.
African Sky: “Rootin’ tootin reading” Sun-Herald
Safari: “He just gets better and better” Sun-Herald
Silent Predator: “Memorably exciting” Sydney Morning Herald
The Prey: “Another ripping yarn based on realistic scenarios,” Daily Telegraph
An Empty Coast: “Another winner which will keep you turning pages.” Crime Review UK
Red Earth: “One helluva fine thriller.” Booklist (US)
The Cull: “A fascinating insight into a life and death struggle.” Daily Telegraph
Captive: “A compelling and fascinating read.” Sunday Tribune
Scent of Fear: “A first-rate thriller.” Canberra Weekly
Ghosts of the Past: “A fabulous tale of betrayal, greed, intrigue and love.” Drum Magazine, South Africa
Last Survivor: “Sure-footed plotting and regular gunfire makes this one of Park’s best books. Recommended.” Canberra Weekly.
He served 34 years in the Australian Army Reserve, including six months in Afghanistan in 2002.
Tony and his wife, Nicola, split their time between Australia and Africa, where they own a house on the edge of of the Kruger National Park.
His 18th African novel, Last Survivor, went to number 1 in South Africa. His 19th novel, Blood Trail, will be released worldwide on August 1, 2021.
Praise for Tony Park
“Wilbur Smith...fans will not be disappointed to have found a spiritual heir,” The Times, London
“Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer.” Canberra Weekly
“One of our best and most consistent thriller writers.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Since Wilbur Smith in his heyday, no one has written as well about southern Africa than Tony Park.” Crime Review (UK)
The Delta: “Break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page, its charm is infectious.” Daily Mail, UK
“Tony Park exudes a love and deep knowledge of southern Africa in every line and character he creates in his books.” The Citizen, South Africa.
Far Horizon “Watch your back, Wilbur,” Qantas, The Australian Way
Zambezi: “a compulsive page turner” Sydney Morning Herald.
African Sky: “Rootin’ tootin reading” Sun-Herald
Safari: “He just gets better and better” Sun-Herald
Silent Predator: “Memorably exciting” Sydney Morning Herald
The Prey: “Another ripping yarn based on realistic scenarios,” Daily Telegraph
An Empty Coast: “Another winner which will keep you turning pages.” Crime Review UK
Red Earth: “One helluva fine thriller.” Booklist (US)
The Cull: “A fascinating insight into a life and death struggle.” Daily Telegraph
Captive: “A compelling and fascinating read.” Sunday Tribune
Scent of Fear: “A first-rate thriller.” Canberra Weekly
Ghosts of the Past: “A fabulous tale of betrayal, greed, intrigue and love.” Drum Magazine, South Africa
Last Survivor: “Sure-footed plotting and regular gunfire makes this one of Park’s best books. Recommended.” Canberra Weekly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 20, 2012
this is a very disturbing book about Zimbabwe, and rhino poaching. perhaps i felt it more because i am familiar with the country and the places mentioned. but i still feel a bit traumatised - and i finished it yesterday. its pretty violent, and the stories of both black and white Zimbabweans is heartbreaking. of course there's love interest, but that too has a few twists. Much tougher than previous Tony Park books. But if you're up for the challenge... go for it!
November 2, 2013
African Dawn is the eighth novel by Australian author, Tony Park, and in it, he revisits the setting and characters of his third novel, African Sky. Park takes three Rhodesian families, the Bryants and the Ngwenyas (who will both be familiar to readers of African Sky) and the Quilter-Phippses, and follows them through the turbulent years from 1959 to 2011.The fate of a rhino calf, Makuti is also monitored. From British colony, through independence to black rule and seizure of white-owned farms, Park tracks events in Rhodesia’s recent history and demonstrates their effect on the human inhabitants, both black and white, and certain endangered animals of the country. Park creates a cast of characters with depth, variety and appeal; their dilemmas and conflicts are realistic and credible; their passions, often fierce. Park manages to make the convoluted history and politics of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe easily digestible by incorporating them into a story that is interesting and exciting. Park’s plot is original, has quite a few twists and encompasses racial tensions, wildlife conservation, political corruption and family dynamics. Murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, poaching and plane crashes all feature. Having skilfully set up his characters and events, Park takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride to the story’s dramatic climax. Park’s Army background, his extensive research and his knowledge of Africa are apparent in every sentence. Another page-turner.
August 26, 2025
Want to know how the bush smells? And learn something about Zimbabwe’s history? And read a terrific roller coaster of a story? Get this book and enjoy!
March 10, 2013
After being introducted to the writer Tony Park about a year ago now ive since been on a mission to locate and purchase all of his books.
His writing is addictive to any reader, he has you on the edge of your seats taking you on twists and turns you never expect to come.
This book is an emotional ride set in a backdrop we all want to view after reading his books.
Anyone truly looking for that perfect read WILL find it in ANY of Tony's books. So do not just seek out this one, go on a real adventure and read them all. Can not wait to see what Tony has in store for us next.
His writing is addictive to any reader, he has you on the edge of your seats taking you on twists and turns you never expect to come.
This book is an emotional ride set in a backdrop we all want to view after reading his books.
Anyone truly looking for that perfect read WILL find it in ANY of Tony's books. So do not just seek out this one, go on a real adventure and read them all. Can not wait to see what Tony has in store for us next.
March 4, 2019
Even I'm disappointed in myself with this rating. It probably deserved more, but the fact is I could not get into it. I generally thoroughly enjoy books of this genre set in Africa but because I couldn't get a good head start on it timewise, meant that when I did pick it up I had trouble remembering the cast of characters and the storyline.
Perhaps I should have gone back to start again - but there are too many other good books on the shelf waiting.
Perhaps I should have gone back to start again - but there are too many other good books on the shelf waiting.
August 7, 2014
I have previously enjoyed tony park's books, but really struggled with this book. It took a while to get into the story with the first half jumping around a lot and very political. It almost seemed he had too many different elements to the story which made it quite confusing. The second half flowed more easily but the violence especially towards the rhinos was a bit much in parts.
November 13, 2011
Set in Zimbabwe, African Dawn revolves around three families: the Bryants, ex-pat Australian Paul and his wife Pip who run a wildlife park employing local black workers, the Quilter-Phippses with their twin sons Braeden, the dashing armed services hero and the quieter Tate, who works for National Parks and the Ngwenya’s, a poor black family supported and befriended by the Bryant’s.
Starting in 1969 and visiting important years for the families before settling in current day, African Dawn details a broken country struggling to find itself in a bloody and political war where nothing is the same for two days in a row. Paul and Pip are conservationists, running small herds on their farm and they are in danger of losing it as the government seeks to confiscate it for the ‘good of the people’. Paul and Pip know the real reason though – rhino horn trafficking has become incredibly lucrative with wealthy Asians paying around $50,000 US dollars per horn, which will then be ground into a powder and used as a remedy for everything from the flu to cancer.
Paul, now in his 90s, wants to fight to keep his land so he hires Braeden Quilter-Phipps as head of security. Former armed forces, Braeden once saved the life of Paul’s granddaughter Natalie when she was kidnapped by rebels at just 11 years of age. Natalie, all grown up now and a photographer/journalist is writing a book about Zimbabwe and her experiences there. Having lived most of her life in Australia after that traumatic event, she has returned to the country of her birth to reacquaint herself with it and to write her story. She finds herself torn between the brash, overconfident and sure of himself Braeden and his twin brother Tate – quieter, anti-social, harbouring a pain and anger that he has carried around for nearly twenty years. Natalie isn’t the first Bryant woman to be torn between two Quilter-Phipps men – her aunt Hope twenty years earlier had made a decision which ultimately led to her brutal death and the deep-seated hatred the twins now have for one another.
A passionate conservationist, Tate has a radical answer when it looks as though the Bryant’s will lose their farm to corrupt government minister Emmerson Ngwenyas, who harbours a resentment for the Bryant’s after an incident that occurred many years ago. He’s been dabbling in some trafficking and sees the Bryant farm as a perfect way to line his pockets even further. As The Quilter-Phipps’ boys and the Bryant family seek to save their rhinos, it will end in a bloody gunfire that will effect every family involved.
I returned this book to my local library before I reviewed it, which in hindsight, was a bit of a mistake! There were quite a few characters and because it was set in Zimbabwe and some of them were coloured and some white, I can’t remember how to spell some of the names! African Dawn is quite a long book – 500 odd pages in large paperback form and to be honest, it dragged a bit. It took me almost 11 days to read it but I have to say, that’s not entirely the book’s fault. A newborn coupled with discovering the TV show The Big Bang Theory took me away from this book a lot. I watched 4 seasons and 3 episodes of TBBT in just 10 days so there wasn’t much time for reading really!
Some mild ***SPOILERS*** follow here.
My biggest problem with this novel was that a lot hinged on two love triangles: the first is barely touched on but involves Hope, the daughter of Paul and Pip, who is dating Tate but sleeps with Braeden. She confesses to Tate, who spurns her so instead of staying to fight for Tate (which appears to be what she wants) she books a flight straight back to Braeden, which is then shot down by rebels who then find the wreckage and murder everyone who survived the crash that didn’t go for help. Twenty or so years later, Natalie, Hope’s niece returns to Zimbabwe to write a book and we appear to go through the same scenario: she is drawn immediately to Tate and they almost sleep together (but he runs away, tormented by memories of Hope) and so she sleeps with Braeden.
Firstly, I find the relationships a bit, well distasteful to be honest. Sleeping with twin brothers? Seriously, that’s not really very nice, is it? Can’t really think of a better way to betray a guy than to sleep with his sexier, more confident, womanising twin brother (as Braeden is painted). And then Hope is baffled by Tate’s running off and Braeden is furious that Tate didn’t forgive her and blames Tate for causing her death. Oh I don’t know Braeden, maybe you had a hand in it too for not keeping your hands off someone you knew was your brother’s girlfriend! And Hope well she didn’t waste much time trying to run back to Braeden either. Somehow I find Tate the least to blame in this scenario. And then we go through nearly the exact same thing with Natalie!
I could almost understand if I found Braeden at all an enjoyable and likable character. But he’s mostly a douche – I don’t go in for that overconfident, very sure of himself and his abilities, arrogant kind of jerk. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to understand both Hope and Natalie’s attraction to him. If I am, then that’s an epic fail, because in a novel that included murderers, rhino horn traffickers, Robert Mugabe etc, he was my least favourite characters.
Basically, I wish this novel were more about the plight of the rhinos. It starts off wonderfully, with a much-younger Paul Bryant herding rhinos away from a lake that’s being dammed including a young rhino who makes reappearances throughout the book, and there are sections later on with Tate tagging rhinos and recording their information and the end of the book, which is about saving the rhino population on Paul and Pip’s farm is awesome. But the rest of the book is bogged down in family drama and relationships and I expected more about the rhinos. I expected most of the book to revolve around them and their plight but for me, it didn’t.
However what did work for me was the portrayal of the turmoil that is the country of Zimbabwe. The book spanned a lot of years during which the country underwent a lot of changes and I really got a feel for that. Tony Park is an Australian who also spends a lot of time in southern Africa and this shows. He knows the places he is writing about and his knowledge, which is political, environmental and cultural is crystal clear. I learned while looking up his previous works that one of his novels, African Sky, is the story of Paul and Pip Bryant’s meeting and I’d very much like to read that. I think that with Braeden Quilter-Phipps removed, I would really enjoy his novels, all of which are set in Africa. I think that Tony Park can tell a story and paint a picture of Africa that is very vivid for someone that has never been and is never likely to. It was just a particular aspect of the plot in this instance, that didn’t work for me.
I’m going to request a couple more from my library and see how I go with them.
Starting in 1969 and visiting important years for the families before settling in current day, African Dawn details a broken country struggling to find itself in a bloody and political war where nothing is the same for two days in a row. Paul and Pip are conservationists, running small herds on their farm and they are in danger of losing it as the government seeks to confiscate it for the ‘good of the people’. Paul and Pip know the real reason though – rhino horn trafficking has become incredibly lucrative with wealthy Asians paying around $50,000 US dollars per horn, which will then be ground into a powder and used as a remedy for everything from the flu to cancer.
Paul, now in his 90s, wants to fight to keep his land so he hires Braeden Quilter-Phipps as head of security. Former armed forces, Braeden once saved the life of Paul’s granddaughter Natalie when she was kidnapped by rebels at just 11 years of age. Natalie, all grown up now and a photographer/journalist is writing a book about Zimbabwe and her experiences there. Having lived most of her life in Australia after that traumatic event, she has returned to the country of her birth to reacquaint herself with it and to write her story. She finds herself torn between the brash, overconfident and sure of himself Braeden and his twin brother Tate – quieter, anti-social, harbouring a pain and anger that he has carried around for nearly twenty years. Natalie isn’t the first Bryant woman to be torn between two Quilter-Phipps men – her aunt Hope twenty years earlier had made a decision which ultimately led to her brutal death and the deep-seated hatred the twins now have for one another.
A passionate conservationist, Tate has a radical answer when it looks as though the Bryant’s will lose their farm to corrupt government minister Emmerson Ngwenyas, who harbours a resentment for the Bryant’s after an incident that occurred many years ago. He’s been dabbling in some trafficking and sees the Bryant farm as a perfect way to line his pockets even further. As The Quilter-Phipps’ boys and the Bryant family seek to save their rhinos, it will end in a bloody gunfire that will effect every family involved.
I returned this book to my local library before I reviewed it, which in hindsight, was a bit of a mistake! There were quite a few characters and because it was set in Zimbabwe and some of them were coloured and some white, I can’t remember how to spell some of the names! African Dawn is quite a long book – 500 odd pages in large paperback form and to be honest, it dragged a bit. It took me almost 11 days to read it but I have to say, that’s not entirely the book’s fault. A newborn coupled with discovering the TV show The Big Bang Theory took me away from this book a lot. I watched 4 seasons and 3 episodes of TBBT in just 10 days so there wasn’t much time for reading really!
Some mild ***SPOILERS*** follow here.
My biggest problem with this novel was that a lot hinged on two love triangles: the first is barely touched on but involves Hope, the daughter of Paul and Pip, who is dating Tate but sleeps with Braeden. She confesses to Tate, who spurns her so instead of staying to fight for Tate (which appears to be what she wants) she books a flight straight back to Braeden, which is then shot down by rebels who then find the wreckage and murder everyone who survived the crash that didn’t go for help. Twenty or so years later, Natalie, Hope’s niece returns to Zimbabwe to write a book and we appear to go through the same scenario: she is drawn immediately to Tate and they almost sleep together (but he runs away, tormented by memories of Hope) and so she sleeps with Braeden.
Firstly, I find the relationships a bit, well distasteful to be honest. Sleeping with twin brothers? Seriously, that’s not really very nice, is it? Can’t really think of a better way to betray a guy than to sleep with his sexier, more confident, womanising twin brother (as Braeden is painted). And then Hope is baffled by Tate’s running off and Braeden is furious that Tate didn’t forgive her and blames Tate for causing her death. Oh I don’t know Braeden, maybe you had a hand in it too for not keeping your hands off someone you knew was your brother’s girlfriend! And Hope well she didn’t waste much time trying to run back to Braeden either. Somehow I find Tate the least to blame in this scenario. And then we go through nearly the exact same thing with Natalie!
I could almost understand if I found Braeden at all an enjoyable and likable character. But he’s mostly a douche – I don’t go in for that overconfident, very sure of himself and his abilities, arrogant kind of jerk. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to understand both Hope and Natalie’s attraction to him. If I am, then that’s an epic fail, because in a novel that included murderers, rhino horn traffickers, Robert Mugabe etc, he was my least favourite characters.
Basically, I wish this novel were more about the plight of the rhinos. It starts off wonderfully, with a much-younger Paul Bryant herding rhinos away from a lake that’s being dammed including a young rhino who makes reappearances throughout the book, and there are sections later on with Tate tagging rhinos and recording their information and the end of the book, which is about saving the rhino population on Paul and Pip’s farm is awesome. But the rest of the book is bogged down in family drama and relationships and I expected more about the rhinos. I expected most of the book to revolve around them and their plight but for me, it didn’t.
However what did work for me was the portrayal of the turmoil that is the country of Zimbabwe. The book spanned a lot of years during which the country underwent a lot of changes and I really got a feel for that. Tony Park is an Australian who also spends a lot of time in southern Africa and this shows. He knows the places he is writing about and his knowledge, which is political, environmental and cultural is crystal clear. I learned while looking up his previous works that one of his novels, African Sky, is the story of Paul and Pip Bryant’s meeting and I’d very much like to read that. I think that with Braeden Quilter-Phipps removed, I would really enjoy his novels, all of which are set in Africa. I think that Tony Park can tell a story and paint a picture of Africa that is very vivid for someone that has never been and is never likely to. It was just a particular aspect of the plot in this instance, that didn’t work for me.
I’m going to request a couple more from my library and see how I go with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 18, 2022So sad that I didn't know that this was #2 in the series. I think that should be made clear in each book if it is part of a series. Now I am about to read #1. So annoying.
I cried, it was so sad. Greedy poachers killing beautiful animals for wealthy people, politicians etc all for wealth or some just for the fun of the kill. Innocent people caught up and injured or killed also. Too sad. What sort of people can't just enjoy the beautiful environment and animals that live in these amazing countries!!! Just so sad. Saying that, I enjoyed the read as I have done all of Tony Park's books.
I cried, it was so sad. Greedy poachers killing beautiful animals for wealthy people, politicians etc all for wealth or some just for the fun of the kill. Innocent people caught up and injured or killed also. Too sad. What sort of people can't just enjoy the beautiful environment and animals that live in these amazing countries!!! Just so sad. Saying that, I enjoyed the read as I have done all of Tony Park's books.
May 10, 2022
A look back on the recent history of Zimbabwe in the context of a fictional story of conservation, politics, love, betrayal and war.
The complex characters made me feel invested in the story, adding a depth of reality often left uncaptured. I felt sympathy for once-hated villians and anger and disappointment at the behaviour of some of the 'good guys'. Isn't this so much like real life?
I applaude Tony Park for capturing this complexity so well despite crossing several generations.
The complex characters made me feel invested in the story, adding a depth of reality often left uncaptured. I felt sympathy for once-hated villians and anger and disappointment at the behaviour of some of the 'good guys'. Isn't this so much like real life?
I applaude Tony Park for capturing this complexity so well despite crossing several generations.
September 6, 2021
Good. It sad
I enjoyed the book but was always hoping there would be some positives in it but I guess it was a bad time In History for Rhinos
I enjoyed the book but was always hoping there would be some positives in it but I guess it was a bad time In History for Rhinos
January 31, 2022
Loved this. Well worth a read
November 21, 2022
Good story line and drew attention to the corruption and mismanagement by Zimbabwe Govt
Engaging to explore what the end would be
Engaging to explore what the end would be
July 2, 2024
This book was absolutely incredible
It was so interesting and is ultimately one of a kind. I’m so glad I decided to read it and honestly I was enthralled from page 1 to page 506
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was so interesting and is ultimately one of a kind. I’m so glad I decided to read it and honestly I was enthralled from page 1 to page 506
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 10, 2023
Easy read and subconsciously learnt a lot about Zim but was a bit of a naff and exaggerated plot at times.
February 20, 2017
Rhino poaching, civil war in Rhodesia, enforcing of the so called historical justice, corrupt Zimbabwean regime - in the three-family saga that spans for over 60 years. In my view, one of Tony Park's best novels, even though the ethnic conflicts are oversimplified. The most important message comes from the belief that fighters for the wildlife preservation are doomed to failure, unless democracy prevails and corruption is stopped in Zimbabwe
- Kiedy to piszę ani przyszłość nosorożców, ani losy demokracji w Zimababwe nie są znane - zaznacza autor w posłowiu do książki. Jest to saga obejmująca ponad 60 lat dziejów dwóch rodzin, białych i czarnych Rodezyjczyków, którzy pod koniec ubiegłego stulecia stali się obywatelami nowego państwa, Zimbabwe. Dziejów okrutnych nie tylko dla nich, także dla największych skarbów tej ziemi, na czele z ginącymi gatunkami nosorożca. Ludzie mordują siebie nawzajem, najpierw w tzw. wojnie o niepodległość, potem w procesie egzekwowania sprawiedliwości dziejowej. Całkiem niewinnych trudno w tych mordach wskazać, a najgorsi oprawcy może nie staliby się takimi, gdyby nie historia.
Niewinne są zwierzęta. Nosorożca skazała na zagładę głupota, chciwość i korupcja. Najgorsze, że w skorumpowanym reżimie Roberta Mugabe, przy biedzie i degrengoladzie cywilizacyjnej, które sprzyjają kłusownictwu nawet najbardziej oddani obrońcy zwierząt ponoszą jedną klęskę po drugiej.
Tony Park, Australijczyk z urodzenia, Afrykanin z wyboru należy do grona zafascynowanych czarnym lądem, przede wszystkim jego przyrodą, florą i fauną. Sądzę, że większość jego czytelników podziela te fascynacje, nawet jeśli ich znajomość kontynentu ogranicza się do udziału w turystycznych safari, oglądania filmów na Discovery i lektury właśnie. "Afrykański świt" jest ambitną pozycją, przy której nie sposób się nudzić. Podczas gdy opis rewolucji wyzwoleńczej w pierwszej części książki trąci nieco schematyzmem, problemy współczesnego Zimbabwe przedstawione są w całej złożoności, a losy ofiar, zwierząt i ludzi, są naprawdę przejmujące. Przy czym oczywiście jest to powieść z gatunku popularnych, czyli namiętności bohaterów też dostarczają odpowiednią dozę wrażeń
- Kiedy to piszę ani przyszłość nosorożców, ani losy demokracji w Zimababwe nie są znane - zaznacza autor w posłowiu do książki. Jest to saga obejmująca ponad 60 lat dziejów dwóch rodzin, białych i czarnych Rodezyjczyków, którzy pod koniec ubiegłego stulecia stali się obywatelami nowego państwa, Zimbabwe. Dziejów okrutnych nie tylko dla nich, także dla największych skarbów tej ziemi, na czele z ginącymi gatunkami nosorożca. Ludzie mordują siebie nawzajem, najpierw w tzw. wojnie o niepodległość, potem w procesie egzekwowania sprawiedliwości dziejowej. Całkiem niewinnych trudno w tych mordach wskazać, a najgorsi oprawcy może nie staliby się takimi, gdyby nie historia.
Niewinne są zwierzęta. Nosorożca skazała na zagładę głupota, chciwość i korupcja. Najgorsze, że w skorumpowanym reżimie Roberta Mugabe, przy biedzie i degrengoladzie cywilizacyjnej, które sprzyjają kłusownictwu nawet najbardziej oddani obrońcy zwierząt ponoszą jedną klęskę po drugiej.
Tony Park, Australijczyk z urodzenia, Afrykanin z wyboru należy do grona zafascynowanych czarnym lądem, przede wszystkim jego przyrodą, florą i fauną. Sądzę, że większość jego czytelników podziela te fascynacje, nawet jeśli ich znajomość kontynentu ogranicza się do udziału w turystycznych safari, oglądania filmów na Discovery i lektury właśnie. "Afrykański świt" jest ambitną pozycją, przy której nie sposób się nudzić. Podczas gdy opis rewolucji wyzwoleńczej w pierwszej części książki trąci nieco schematyzmem, problemy współczesnego Zimbabwe przedstawione są w całej złożoności, a losy ofiar, zwierząt i ludzi, są naprawdę przejmujące. Przy czym oczywiście jest to powieść z gatunku popularnych, czyli namiętności bohaterów też dostarczają odpowiednią dozę wrażeń
April 13, 2018
An African thriller that takes place from 1959 to 2011 during and after the terrible, bloody convoluted political change in Rhodesia that created Zimbabwe and the change in fortune for the white farm owners as the government took their farms,kicked them out and redistributed the land back to the Africans-but in doing so allowed corrupt and vicious politicians to dominate the country through terror . Government participation in poaching the black rhino and selling its horn at large profits to Eastern clients apparently was an attempt to make up for the lack of tourisism and to enrich the corrupt and vicious leadership.. It is a tale of three Rhodesian families, the Bryants and the Ngwenyas from the first book and the Quilter-Phippses (handsome twins wild Braedon and solitary conservationist Tate are introduced) , following them through these turbulent years .. Another page turner, more African history and a great escape!!
November 18, 2011
While some parts of this book were passionately and beautifully written, the story got bogged down by overlapping plots. I found it a complicated read. Tony Park is a thoughtful author who brings the plight of the African people and their daily reality to the attention of the reader. His descriptions of life in Africa are vivid and intense, shedding light on the contradictions of racialism, greed and corruption.
Unfortunately this was the first book of his I have read and perhaps my rating would be fairer had I read African Sky first. I do intend to read this soon. I shall then return to edit this review.
Unfortunately this was the first book of his I have read and perhaps my rating would be fairer had I read African Sky first. I do intend to read this soon. I shall then return to edit this review.
September 16, 2012
Tony Park writes with a dynamic yet elegant flair. He has set his novel in Zimbabwe with the tale commencing in the 1950s. Political unrest, economic uncertainty and fear were ensuring that this part of the world did not attract many tourists and forced many loyal local farmers and business men to leave properties and successful businesses.
The love stories, woven between the terrorism, animal poaching and racial tension span two generations. This book is written by an author with an understanding of human frailties and strengths. This story is generous and understated in a time of hatred and misunderstandings.
I recommend this book to most readers.
Carinya
The love stories, woven between the terrorism, animal poaching and racial tension span two generations. This book is written by an author with an understanding of human frailties and strengths. This story is generous and understated in a time of hatred and misunderstandings.
I recommend this book to most readers.
Carinya
December 2, 2017
What a complex interweaving of three families. Thank goodness Tony Park's epic tale over several generations of family, had the family tree's at the front of the book as I referred to it a couple of times. Three families crossing paths again and again over the period of 40 years all in the backdrop of a changing Zimbabwe.
So topical now with the dismantling of Mugabe's grip on the country. He even appears in this book.
And with the inclusion of a different sort of family - the black rhino, as they too struggle for survival in a climate of political unrest, poachers and greed.
A really enjoyable book and one which will make me keep an eye out for more by Tony Park.
So topical now with the dismantling of Mugabe's grip on the country. He even appears in this book.
And with the inclusion of a different sort of family - the black rhino, as they too struggle for survival in a climate of political unrest, poachers and greed.
A really enjoyable book and one which will make me keep an eye out for more by Tony Park.
July 14, 2018
If you like thrillers, and are interested in the 20c. cultural history that led to the formation of native African countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia from white colonial South Africa (violent and complex), and you are interested in understanding rhino conservation in the face of well financed and brutal poaching operations - this is the book for you. Racial and familial conflict is never simplified. And while, I read 3 other of Tony Park's thrillers set in Africa in which, unlike in this book, there was a central protagonist, this was the most moving and difficult one to read - as in life, good doesn't always prevail.
November 26, 2015
Another fascinating and exciting read. I admit to being largely ignorant of Zimbabwe's history, but this epic tale spans several generations of both African, White and Rhino families, and tells of Zimbabwe's complicated history through the heartaches and triumphs of the various characters. It is a poignant and at times quite sad tale of the disrupted lives of everyone in Zimbabwe right from the beginning of the damming of the Zambezi to modern times.
Not what I'd call a particularly uplifting tale, but one very much still worth reading.
Not what I'd call a particularly uplifting tale, but one very much still worth reading.
August 31, 2016
Tony Park
African Dawn.
Epic.
I loved this book it has everything I like about a book. If you like Wilbur Smith and Mark Mathabane you'll love this book.
Tate and Braedon are twins but are totally different, they fell out over a woman and 30 years later still don't get on with each other. This book follows the twins as they go their separate ways in a war torn Zimbabwe that is led by Mugabe. The author describes the countryside brilliantly. Very highly recommended.
5* 31 August 2016
African Dawn.
Epic.
I loved this book it has everything I like about a book. If you like Wilbur Smith and Mark Mathabane you'll love this book.
Tate and Braedon are twins but are totally different, they fell out over a woman and 30 years later still don't get on with each other. This book follows the twins as they go their separate ways in a war torn Zimbabwe that is led by Mugabe. The author describes the countryside brilliantly. Very highly recommended.
5* 31 August 2016
October 29, 2017
I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. I have just returned from South Africa and have also been to Zimbabwe in 97 so could relate and really see what was happening in the story which was vividly described. The action really moved along and you were kept in suspense all the way thru the book. The characters were brought to life with Tony's pen and you really felt like you were there with them.
This is my first Tony Park book but it won't be my last.
This is my first Tony Park book but it won't be my last.
February 2, 2013
This is a great read for anyone who has grown up or lived in Africa. Tony Park captures Africa magnificently - both the landscape and the politics. Where I feel the book falls short, is in its characterisation. There are too many generations within this book and too few pages. You don't really invest in any of the characters because there is less of a journey - and more of a snapshot.
July 30, 2013
I grew up in Rhodesia and left when I was 22, so I really appreciated this book and the fact that it was quite realistic. The fiction was based on fact and brought back many fond memories of life in Rhodesia.
The first half was excellent, but I found the second half was quite slow moving. A great read.
The first half was excellent, but I found the second half was quite slow moving. A great read.
January 15, 2014
A beautifully written book that should be mandatory reading for High School students.
Never have I been so deeply invested in the characters of book so quickly. The families involved the story feel real, their flaws and graces shown to readers with incredible detail without an overload of words.
If in doubt about this book, read it. You will not regret it.
Never have I been so deeply invested in the characters of book so quickly. The families involved the story feel real, their flaws and graces shown to readers with incredible detail without an overload of words.
If in doubt about this book, read it. You will not regret it.
December 5, 2020
With a passion for southern African history, military and anti poaching this book hits every button on great reads.
The research Tony took to get things right and accurate are flabbergasting to say the least.
For everyone in APU or with a passion for. APU or wildlife preservation, this book covers the realities in Africa by putting it into fiction.
The research Tony took to get things right and accurate are flabbergasting to say the least.
For everyone in APU or with a passion for. APU or wildlife preservation, this book covers the realities in Africa by putting it into fiction.
April 5, 2017
Приключенски трилър по изпитаната схема с фокус върху избран сериозен(ни) африкански проблем(и). В случая - затриването на Зимбабве при късния Мугабе и незаконния отстрел на носорози, но тоя път с елементи на тройно-преплетена семейна сага от няколко поколения с действие от 1959 до 2009. С най-възрастните вече сме запознавали в "Африканско небе" за Родезия през Втората световна.
May 27, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It is packed full of action, and excitement. It's obvious the author, Tony Park has done many hours of research to provide readers with an accurate account of the historical and present day situation (when the book was released) in the locations the story is set in.
September 7, 2016
A fair book to read - a lot was crammed into one book and I think that, perhaps, 2 books could have been written out of this one book. There was a fair bit of stopping a story and picking it up again some decades later....and trying to piece everything together was a bit laborious at times.
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