What do you think?
Rate this book
Into Africa
The untold story of 'Stanley and Livingston', and the woman who made their fame possible.
No one had heard from Janet Livingston's brother in years. The world-famous missionary and explorer had captured the imagination of millions with his book about his travels through the Colonial British Empire... but then he simply vanished.
So when Janet received a cryptic message from Africa, along with a necklace their father gave him, she knew he was still alive and needed her help. But a woman traveling alone to the farthest corners of the Empire was simply out of the question.
Enter Henry Stanley, the over-confident American explorer. All too happy to make his mark by finding David Livingston, he was not about to let a woman, of all things, slow him down. He'd lead the team, assuming Janet, who had never left her tiny Scottish town, would simply drop out before they even started.
INTO AFRICA is the thrilling story of Janet Livingston, her epic clash with Henry Stanley and her surprising relationship with their guide, Goma Foutou, amidst the brutal reality of a continent ravaged by the slave trade and European colonialism.
"Truly fascinating and original depiction of a true story...faithfully adapted." - Screencraft
Fans of Chocolat and Apocalyse Now will love this "emotionally empathetic" adaptation. (Screencraft)
No one had heard from Janet Livingston's brother in years. The world-famous missionary and explorer had captured the imagination of millions with his book about his travels through the Colonial British Empire... but then he simply vanished.
So when Janet received a cryptic message from Africa, along with a necklace their father gave him, she knew he was still alive and needed her help. But a woman traveling alone to the farthest corners of the Empire was simply out of the question.
Enter Henry Stanley, the over-confident American explorer. All too happy to make his mark by finding David Livingston, he was not about to let a woman, of all things, slow him down. He'd lead the team, assuming Janet, who had never left her tiny Scottish town, would simply drop out before they even started.
INTO AFRICA is the thrilling story of Janet Livingston, her epic clash with Henry Stanley and her surprising relationship with their guide, Goma Foutou, amidst the brutal reality of a continent ravaged by the slave trade and European colonialism.
"Truly fascinating and original depiction of a true story...faithfully adapted." - Screencraft
Fans of Chocolat and Apocalyse Now will love this "emotionally empathetic" adaptation. (Screencraft)
- GenresAfricaHistorical Fiction
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2020
58 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Kerry McDonald
7 books19 followersI write entertaining, provocative action-adventure stories. I'm an expert marksman and overall adrenaline junkie, my stories are born of a life filled with rock climbing, BASE jumping, paragliding, yoga, meditation, lucid dreaming, and survival-focused getaways.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 30, 2021
3.75/5 Janet is off to find her brother who left on a trip to Africa and hasn’t returned. She leaves Scotland in the 1860s with Henry, a newspaper reporter, to find him. Along the way Janet learns about Africa and its people. I really enjoyed the characters in this book more than anything. Goma especially. The story moves quickly with really pretty visuals and descriptions.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
October 17, 2020
The book covers too many topics too lightly.
February 23, 2021
Despite the rumors, Janet Livingstone believes her brother, famed missionary David Livingstone, is still alive. When she receives a crucifix in the mail, one she recognizes, Janet becomes convinced it’s a sign from her beloved brother. She meets with the New York Herald to request funding. Reluctantly, they agree to her terms, including Janet’s participation in the search. Journalist Henry Stanley is none too happy about the arrangement as he leads the expedition into the heart of Africa. Along the way, their party will encounter warring tribes, life-threatening illnesses, and lion attacks all while hoping they’ll survive long enough to reach David Livingstone and bring him home.
I was fully prepared to be amazed by the countryside and its exploration but was, sadly, left underwhelmed. What does it feel for a woman who’s never left her home country to see the African landscape for the first time? I don’t know; readers are simply told how it looks. Scenes shift rapidly, cutting out valuable character moments. Without inhabiting the emotional spaces surrounding significant events, characters and the book’s narrative voice are all depersonalized for the reader. In the beginning, Janet’s struggles to stand up for herself are intriguing, but after a couple of chapters, she’s doing this with ease. And somehow, after watching a demonstration back when her older brother was in school (she’s in her 40s), Janet’s setting bones and suturing deep cuts after a lion attack. Additionally, many weighty cultural clashes including slave trading, intolerance, and exploitation are dealt with too lightly. I appreciated the effort to bring an overshadowed woman into the spotlight, but African characters and their cultures are barely fleshed out. It read more like an extremely formal treatise than a fictional exploration. Readers will see an Africa in turmoil but will miss out on experiencing it.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
I was fully prepared to be amazed by the countryside and its exploration but was, sadly, left underwhelmed. What does it feel for a woman who’s never left her home country to see the African landscape for the first time? I don’t know; readers are simply told how it looks. Scenes shift rapidly, cutting out valuable character moments. Without inhabiting the emotional spaces surrounding significant events, characters and the book’s narrative voice are all depersonalized for the reader. In the beginning, Janet’s struggles to stand up for herself are intriguing, but after a couple of chapters, she’s doing this with ease. And somehow, after watching a demonstration back when her older brother was in school (she’s in her 40s), Janet’s setting bones and suturing deep cuts after a lion attack. Additionally, many weighty cultural clashes including slave trading, intolerance, and exploitation are dealt with too lightly. I appreciated the effort to bring an overshadowed woman into the spotlight, but African characters and their cultures are barely fleshed out. It read more like an extremely formal treatise than a fictional exploration. Readers will see an Africa in turmoil but will miss out on experiencing it.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
October 10, 2020
Miss Livingston, I presume.
Miss Janet Livingston joins Morton Stanley in arranging an expedition that Miss Livingston, initiates to find her brother in the African jungle. They go through great hardships and tribal rituals. The beginning of the book is a travel-log description of their adventure. it is a daily descriptive diary of who Miss Livingston and Morton Stanely are and what happens during their adventure through the African jungle. We see Miss Livingston at first, as a self-righteous, intolerant, religious woman. She doesn't want to associate with the African people. It is through this adventure that Janet Livingston becomes more caring and tolerant and begins to care for the natives. The rest of the book has the characters interacting and more action. I am not going to spoil the ending. You are going to have to read it. Lol. I liked this book. The action did slow down in some parts stopping the action. However, it does pick up in the middle. The story is nail-biting and intriguing with interesting characters I will not soon forget. This is the first book I've read by this author and will not be last. I will be looking for books by this author in the future. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and HIDDEN GEMS. I am writing this review voluntarily.
Miss Janet Livingston joins Morton Stanley in arranging an expedition that Miss Livingston, initiates to find her brother in the African jungle. They go through great hardships and tribal rituals. The beginning of the book is a travel-log description of their adventure. it is a daily descriptive diary of who Miss Livingston and Morton Stanely are and what happens during their adventure through the African jungle. We see Miss Livingston at first, as a self-righteous, intolerant, religious woman. She doesn't want to associate with the African people. It is through this adventure that Janet Livingston becomes more caring and tolerant and begins to care for the natives. The rest of the book has the characters interacting and more action. I am not going to spoil the ending. You are going to have to read it. Lol. I liked this book. The action did slow down in some parts stopping the action. However, it does pick up in the middle. The story is nail-biting and intriguing with interesting characters I will not soon forget. This is the first book I've read by this author and will not be last. I will be looking for books by this author in the future. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and HIDDEN GEMS. I am writing this review voluntarily.
October 8, 2020
This book is written in a style that moves slowly and seems to report on the action rather than describing it. Nonetheless, it is populated with interesting characters and provides insight into the attitudes and environment of the African slave trade. The book focuses on Janet Livingstone who joins Morton Stanley on a search for her brother that she initiated. Much of the early part of the book is similar to a travelogue mixed with the expedition for King Solomon's mines. The latter part of the book is more satisfying, describing interactions between the characters as they weather a series of misfortunes. The book has a happy ending, of sorts. I was pleased to finish this book, and will not be re-reading it.
October 3, 2020
An entertaining story, a fictionalised account of the meeting of Stanley and Livingstone told by Livingstone's sister. This is a great read that paints a vivid picture of the hardships of these Victorian explorers. Very well written with characters that seen genuine if some are not particularly likable but this captures some of the attitudes of the times. Some very moving scenes. Excellent Ending. I would happily read more by this author.
I was given an Advanced copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
I was given an Advanced copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
March 10, 2022
I tried really hard to like this book because of the interesting descriptions of people and places, but I just couldn’t make it past the 47% mark. There is scant dialogue, the action is rather stilted, and both the male and the female protagonists are idiots. Example: Henry takes a sheltered Scottish woman into darkest Africa, won’t talk to her, never teaches her ANYTHING but the first time she fires his pistol, she kills a snake “instantly?!”
October 16, 2020
Amazing!
"Into Africa" is a great adventurous learning adventure. The settings are poignant, the characters be holding, visualizing emotions become surreal. This book is most enjoyable.
"Into Africa" is a great adventurous learning adventure. The settings are poignant, the characters be holding, visualizing emotions become surreal. This book is most enjoyable.
January 21, 2021
Exciting
An adventure of a true story. Seeing Africa through the eyes of a Scottish spinster in the late nineteenth century. A look at slavery in Africa and the people who made money from human flesh.
An adventure of a true story. Seeing Africa through the eyes of a Scottish spinster in the late nineteenth century. A look at slavery in Africa and the people who made money from human flesh.
July 18, 2021
It could have been a great story
The book was awkward stylistically. The dialog between characters was stilted. It could have been a riveting story,but I found myself skimming to get to the end.
The book was awkward stylistically. The dialog between characters was stilted. It could have been a riveting story,but I found myself skimming to get to the end.
July 1, 2022
Into Africa interesting
Intriguing read. Held my interest throughout the book and kept me occupied at a time in my life when I definitely needed distraction! Loved it. Thank you for a good story!
Intriguing read. Held my interest throughout the book and kept me occupied at a time in my life when I definitely needed distraction! Loved it. Thank you for a good story!
December 6, 2025
The Search for Dr. Livingstone
Amazing story of a trip across Africa on foot to locate Dr. David Livingstone. Led by Henry Stanley, accompanied by Livingstone's sister, Janet. It provides a vivid account of the challenges and dangers.
Amazing story of a trip across Africa on foot to locate Dr. David Livingstone. Led by Henry Stanley, accompanied by Livingstone's sister, Janet. It provides a vivid account of the challenges and dangers.
May 11, 2023
Yep I really liked it — I visited Vic Falls last year and saw his memorial and a plaque for him .. glad I found this audiobook at random in the library …!
June 13, 2023
interesting but not exciting
This book was interesting but I was glad when I finished it. It was perhaps too long to maintain interest.
This book was interesting but I was glad when I finished it. It was perhaps too long to maintain interest.
Read
June 23, 2023Amazing Journey
Story kept me entertained & amazed what these two people went thru. David Livingston was a great adventurer. Good book!
Story kept me entertained & amazed what these two people went thru. David Livingston was a great adventurer. Good book!
August 21, 2024
I enjoyed this book about Africa. Interesting story and adventures.
March 16, 2025
Great book, kind of reminded me of my African travels. Loved the nice scottish accent of the narrator.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews