Road of Ash and Dust: Awakening of a Soul in Africa

by E.L. Cyrs

Unaware that hunger, sickness and deprivation were awaiting him, a young idealist leaves the United States and embarks on a spiritual journey to West Africa. Repeatedly challenged by a world beyond his understanding and thrown into harsh, critical self-reflections, he is repulsed by the image of himself that Africa forces him to confront.
Road of Ash and Awakening of a Soul in Africa is a deeply intimate and, somewhat, voyeuristic unveiling of aspects of The African-American Experience rarely committed to print. ROAD allows you access to one of the most universal rites of passage, the discovery of self.
Author E.L. Cyrs channels voices from a distant and muted past, guiding us into understanding that many of the answers to our most troubling questions do, truly, come from within.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, Memoir

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2016

Reviews

[Daphne Kapsali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am struggling to find the words to describe my experience of reading this book: it wasn't simple. On the one hand, at its core, it's a man's quest for identity, present and historical, personal and ethnic, and for redemption - and that's something that most of us can relate to, to a greater or lesser extent. On the other hand, it's an glimpse of life in Africa, the raw reality as opposed to the writer's expectations of it and how, perhaps, most of us "Westerners" imagine it. Which, to me - as someone who feels a deep if slightly inexplicable affinity with Africa and the abuse its people have suffered at the hands of the white European race that I'm often ashamed to be part of - was fascinating. But on another level, this book is a very honest and profoundly personal account of one man's experience of all this, and this is the part that challenged me. Because, as much as I enjoyed the story and the writing itself - there is no doubt that E.L. Cyrs is an accomplished storyteller, and there's not a word out of place - I didn't always like the author, the way he portrayed himself. I think I caught myself "judging" him almost as much as I empathised with him. There were times when I felt myself getting very irritated; times when - caught up in the reality of life in Senegal for which he was ill-prepared - I wanted to scream at him, "what did you expect?" And I found that quite challenging but also, paradoxically, very rewarding. Because the power of this book is precisely its honesty. E.L. Cyrs didn't set out to make himself look good, but to tell his story, and he doesn't hide from himself or the reader. And that, in the end, has the effect of creating a bond that feels much more real than the easy, superficial way we relate to a straightforward "likeable" character. This isn't a character, it's a real man, and he shares his story fully aware that he'll be judged. And I, for one, like him for it all the more. And I like his book. Which, incidentally, I read in a single evening. I recommend you read it too.

[Ana Costache · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest tale. Baba is African-American and embarks into a spiritual journey, tracing back his roots to Senegal. He sets off with a very (Western) romanticised image of Africa, which he quickly discovers to not be accurate. He finds poverty and struggle where he expected to find enlightening, but finds spiritual awakening in unexpected experiences. What is also interesting is his struggle to reconcile his Western thinking and his African roots.

His writing is very informative; what I particularly appreciated was the tale of his trip to the Gorée Island, to the House of Slaves. There are a few of these houses across Africa, but not many people are aware of them, particularly of the "Doors of no Return". Baba entering the Slave House through the Door of no Return and exiting through the main door is symbolic and particularly touching.

To conclude, this is a sincere and enjoyable read. The one downside perhaps is that the author never says why he chose Dakar for his spiritual journey. He says he wants to go back to his roots - has he traced his family back to Senegal, or was it just the coincidence that he knew people who could shelter him in Dakar? I would be curious to find out.

[Mervene Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual genre

This book is a really good example of why I read few biographical essays . I continued the book to the end because I was greatly interested in this man journey. It seems that oftentimes his reflections got in the way of the telling of the story or just the opposite, no reflection when a little bit would have clarified the story. So much of the story seemed chopped off, without explanation for actions described in detail. For instance a lot of words were used to describe the author's experience of the torrential rain. He stated that people treated him different ,as tho crazy, for his reaction . He never stated why this was, and if they didn't treat him different from some of the other ways in which his actions were not their norm,why the rain? Some of this book just seemed to need help in the editing department. Other parts did leave me with a pretty good description of his experiences in the Mother Land.

[Amber Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit...I liked this book better when I imagined Baba reading it aloud! This is an intriguing glimpse into his mind...I know Baba the Storyteller, aka E.L Cyrs and found his journey intriguing.

There were times I wanted to hug him, and once or twice I wanted to bop him for being unprepared...I won't even travel anywhere without Neosporin and "tummy tablets" after an experience (on US soil yet!) of being ghastly ill on travel (nowhere NEAR what he experienced!) and having the misery of hunting for medicine while most not wanting to move! His experience in Africa is by turns moving, amazing, and sometimes icky...oh my that grubby little boy gobbling food with his filthy hands! Baba, you're a braver man than I!

I was deeply moved though when he went back through the Door of No Return...what a powerful symbol of a journey!

[unknown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of love

As a child I was fascinated with Africa and wanted to go there. Baba's story could have been mine except for the fact that I am of European descent and Caucasian. We are all a family. Regardless of ethnicity's. So, what Baba's journey into his search for ancestry is or can be a journey any one of us may choose to take. I loved Baba's story. Thank you for sharing it!

[Louise Child · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't read it .

I am a voracious reader,rarely giving up on a story but I gave up with this . I just couldn't like it .

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this story I could put myself back together.

[Susan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having met Baba, I knew I needed to read this book.
I can't wait to meet him again. This book shed light on his life.

[Rachel Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in ages. A deeply vulnerable, profound sharing of EL Cyrs’ experience returning to his motherland of Africa.

[Mercedes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a while - went to other books; pick it up again; not sure what about it that made it difficult to stay interested. I wanted to like it. I may re-read in the winter.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, this book pulled me into a journey I never imagined. An adventure of the soul, the voyage was intimate and emotional.

Baba is an African-American professional writer, storyteller and player of the kora, the African harp. He has a strong desire to go back to Senegal where his people came from and to feel the presence of his ancestors in the places he yearns to visit. Indubitably, he wants to take lessons on the kora from the master craftsman and teacher, Ibrahim.

Imagining his visit to Senegal, he thinks he will drink tea and read poetry and play the kora. When he actually follows his dream and goes there, he is not prepared for the reality, the brutality of the poverty he faces. So much of his life of relative privilege is laid bare. Unexpected rejection by some amidst gems of kindness and generosity await him.

This is a book to treasure and to read again.

I received a copy of this book in paperback in exchange for an honest and fair review.

[Terrence Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey of Epic Proportion

For those who have ever felt the call of Mother Africa calling to her lost children in the diaspora, this book is for you. For many years I have wanted to journey to West Africa and study Kora. As an American griot this is a thirst that can not be quenched. Reading this book allowed me to take this journey with the author. As I read the book I also listened to the audio version for a true immersion experience. The idyllic image of West Africa was shattered and replaced with the simplistic beauty of people who are rich in culture and hope.p
This book takes you on p journey filled with emotion, history, culture and purpose. It is well worth the ticket price for boarding, I would also invest in the guided tour by purchasing the audio book as well.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough...annoyingly repetitive at times, but kept me interested.

[Dawn Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I set this one down and after a couple weeks realized I hadn't thought about picking it up again.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read with wonderful moments of cultural realization that are both painful and funny. People who have experienced living in different culture will easily relate to this book. Enjoy!