Return to Kenya

by Susie Kelly

The sheer joy of travel...

...is all the more delicious when...

...totally out of the blue...

...you're invited to take an all-expenses-paid trip to your favourite country in the world!

International book tours are an unheard-of dream for most authors. But...

...after the ecstatic reception of her safari memoir Safari Ants, Baggy Pants & Elephants, Susie is over the moon to find herself returning to her beloved Kenya to launch the African edition in Africa's largest chain of bookshops, Text Book Centre, Nairobi.

Although her surprise trip is a huge success, this is Susie Kelly, and her magical week in Kenya isn't without mishap, even if she does remember her bras this time.

'It does something to you, this infinite space, so tranquil on the surface, yet so teeming with life. You feel at once insignificant and amazing, just for being here. I wanted to hold out my arms and gather it all in, hold it pressed to my heart, never let it go. I wanted to lay it softly between sheets of tissue and put it in a drawer to be brought out and stroked every day. I wanted to bottle it in a crystal jar and place it on a sunny windowsill to be forever in my sight. This magnificent, beautiful country, birthplace of mankind, owner of my heart...'

Praise for Susie Kelly's Safari Ants, Baggy Pands & Elephants
'I’ve just been on a wonderful safari trip to Kenya! At least that’s how it felt.' Mrs Bloggs Books

'One of the best travel books I have read to date. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every drop of it.' – Vine Voice Reviewer

'There are a handful of authors who achieve that elusive trick of making you laugh out loud. For me it’s James Herriot, Bill Bryson and Susie Kelly.' – French Entrée Magazine

'Susie is a great ambassador for Kenya. The best safari experience you are likely to get, without going on safari!' French Village Diaries

'No bras and makeup! I adore reading Susie's books, so full of humour and everyday hiccups!' Goodreads

Genres: Africa, Memoir

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2019

Reviews

[Andrew Ives · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of an accompanying epilogue to Susie's much longer Safari Ants book, this tells the story of her trip back to Kenya for book signings and sightseeing. As such, it's a little less about animals and safaris, rather more about Nairobi and airports. Susie's writing style and jolly tone are ever-present and this is an enjoyable, easy-going read. It is rather short though, and you really need to have already read Safari Ants to appreciate it. 3.25/5

[Pat Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a couple of memoirs by Susie Kelly and I'm a fan of her writing style - I enjoy her humour. This book, although a shorter read than others, didn't disappoint. A nice 'return trip to Kenya'.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read one third of the book. This is not the type of travel book I like. To me it seemed like it was only about a high end tourist vacation that missed out on the "real" Kenyan peoples and cultures.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but focused and funny. I guess many of us will relate to the difficulties of travel amusingly reported

[Ruth Dresher-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I pulled this book from the middle of a series I’m not familiar with, however, the excerpts from the first Safari book helped to provide a scenario of a return trip to Ms Kelly’s chosen home country.
I totally enjoy the pace and phrasing of this quick read. I’ve never been to Kenya and this inspired me to consider it. Ms Kelly has a familiar writing style appealing to my feeling of being an invisible cohort on her journey. Her descriptives are lovely.

I see I have two more titles from this author in my library. Likely now to read.