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The Clouds Beneath the Sun
An exotic setting and a passionate, forbidden affair make The Clouds Beneath the Sun an irresistible page-turner that is sure to satisfy readers looking for an intelligent blend of history, romance, and intrigue.
Mackenzie Ford (a nom de plume) was introduced to readers in 2009 with the publication of Gifts of War, which was praised in USA Today as “an absorbing, morally complex read.” In a starred review, Library Journal said, “Ford keeps the reader on a knife’s edge as the lies build and the truth is only a word or misstep away. Highly recommended.”
Now Ford takes us to Kenya in 1961. As a small plane carrying Natalie Nelson lands at a remote airstrip in the Serengeti, Natalie knows she’s run just about as far as she can from home. Trained as an archeologist, she accepted an invitation to be included in a famous excavating team, her first opportunity to escape England and the painful memories of her past.
But before she can get her bearings, the dig is surrounded by controversy involving the local Masai people—and murder. Compounding the tension, Eleanor Deacon, friend of the Masai, who is leading the excavating mission, watches a rift grow between her two handsome sons. Natalie’s growing attraction to Jack Deacon soon becomes a passionate affair that turns dangerous when she must give evidence in a trial that could spark even more violence and turmoil.
The startling beauty of the Kenyan setting, the tension of looming social upheaval, and the dizzying highs and crushing lows of a doomed love affair are all captured brilliantly on every page of this extraordinary and utterly unforgettable novel.
Mackenzie Ford (a nom de plume) was introduced to readers in 2009 with the publication of Gifts of War, which was praised in USA Today as “an absorbing, morally complex read.” In a starred review, Library Journal said, “Ford keeps the reader on a knife’s edge as the lies build and the truth is only a word or misstep away. Highly recommended.”
Now Ford takes us to Kenya in 1961. As a small plane carrying Natalie Nelson lands at a remote airstrip in the Serengeti, Natalie knows she’s run just about as far as she can from home. Trained as an archeologist, she accepted an invitation to be included in a famous excavating team, her first opportunity to escape England and the painful memories of her past.
But before she can get her bearings, the dig is surrounded by controversy involving the local Masai people—and murder. Compounding the tension, Eleanor Deacon, friend of the Masai, who is leading the excavating mission, watches a rift grow between her two handsome sons. Natalie’s growing attraction to Jack Deacon soon becomes a passionate affair that turns dangerous when she must give evidence in a trial that could spark even more violence and turmoil.
The startling beauty of the Kenyan setting, the tension of looming social upheaval, and the dizzying highs and crushing lows of a doomed love affair are all captured brilliantly on every page of this extraordinary and utterly unforgettable novel.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
June 17, 2010
Until I read the last two or three chapters, this book was going to earn a shaky 3-star rating from me. Unfortunately, the melodramatic, soap opera ending dropped that down a star, all the more disappointing to me because I thought the book had great potential.
A freshly-minted archaeologist, Natalie Nelson, is on her first dig in 1961 Kenya, digging on the land traditionally owned by the Masai people. The country is on the verge of gaining its independence. Two of the archaeologists do something terribly disrespectful in the eyes of the Masai, only so that they can speed the publication of their discoveries. There is a murder, and Natalie is caught in the middle of it. Battle lines are drawn between those who believe in British law and those who think tribal law should be upheld. Racism and politics are strong on both sides.
So far, so good, right? No, afraid not. None of the main characters are very likeable, which I can deal with if the story is good. I'll stick with my opinions of Natalie because she is the protagonist. She is obsessed with her married lover, who dumped her, and for the first half or so, barely a page goes by without mention of Dominic. She has turned her back on her Christian upbringing but then is critical of the Masai when they don't follow Christian doctrines. She apparently doesn't see much wrong with having a married lover, at least not he ran away from her, but is appalled that a Masai woman would agree to be a third wife.
The romance in the book seems forced and not very realistic. You have a couple of shots of whiskey with a guy, know him for a few days, and it's love ever after? The only reason Dominic was mentioned less as the book went on is because other love interests and potential love interests took his place. Natalie's thoughts felt like they were written by a man assuming what a woman would feel, not written as a woman really would feel. You are saved from stampeding wildebeests and a crocodile, and all you think of after is how your breasts were fondled during the rescue? Give me a break.
What I did love about the book was the African setting and the bits about archeology. Reading about the animals was great, even though a couple of parts were very sad. The author made the settings easy to visualize. I would have liked more historical information about Kenya's independence.
A blurb about the book is “an irresistible page-turner of forbidden love on the wild plains of East Africa.” Normally, phrases like “forbidden love” make me run in the other direction, and should have this time.
A copy of this book was provided to me for review.
A freshly-minted archaeologist, Natalie Nelson, is on her first dig in 1961 Kenya, digging on the land traditionally owned by the Masai people. The country is on the verge of gaining its independence. Two of the archaeologists do something terribly disrespectful in the eyes of the Masai, only so that they can speed the publication of their discoveries. There is a murder, and Natalie is caught in the middle of it. Battle lines are drawn between those who believe in British law and those who think tribal law should be upheld. Racism and politics are strong on both sides.
So far, so good, right? No, afraid not. None of the main characters are very likeable, which I can deal with if the story is good. I'll stick with my opinions of Natalie because she is the protagonist. She is obsessed with her married lover, who dumped her, and for the first half or so, barely a page goes by without mention of Dominic. She has turned her back on her Christian upbringing but then is critical of the Masai when they don't follow Christian doctrines. She apparently doesn't see much wrong with having a married lover, at least not he ran away from her, but is appalled that a Masai woman would agree to be a third wife.
The romance in the book seems forced and not very realistic. You have a couple of shots of whiskey with a guy, know him for a few days, and it's love ever after? The only reason Dominic was mentioned less as the book went on is because other love interests and potential love interests took his place. Natalie's thoughts felt like they were written by a man assuming what a woman would feel, not written as a woman really would feel. You are saved from stampeding wildebeests and a crocodile, and all you think of after is how your breasts were fondled during the rescue? Give me a break.
What I did love about the book was the African setting and the bits about archeology. Reading about the animals was great, even though a couple of parts were very sad. The author made the settings easy to visualize. I would have liked more historical information about Kenya's independence.
A blurb about the book is “an irresistible page-turner of forbidden love on the wild plains of East Africa.” Normally, phrases like “forbidden love” make me run in the other direction, and should have this time.
A copy of this book was provided to me for review.
May 19, 2011
1. Masai drivers don't speak that way in English.
2. Any editor worth his/her salt would have purged all those damn/unnecessary slash marks
3. Can an author telegraph with any more transparent cheesiness that the rough and ready bush pilot male protagonist (why are they always named Jack?) wants to get in the central female's pants than by feeding him the line, "You have an aura of self-containment about you."
4. I don't need a parenthetical explanation IN DIALOGUE of what an ungulate is. Like a scientist would go to Kenya without knowing that. Cripes.
5. Thank God the Great Rift Valley is way more epic than this snoozy book.
6. Tick typhus? Stampede? And a plane crash? Really? Does he need to save her life THAT many times?
7. Pretty sure that even if a smokin' hot bush pilot named Jack was saving me from crocodiles amidst a crush of drowning wildebeests I'd still be a bit preoccupied by both the reptiles AND the ungulates to not fixate on his inadvertently copping a feel while hoisting me to safety (as he does routinely every couple of weeks.)
Feel MUCH better to get that off my chest.
2. Any editor worth his/her salt would have purged all those damn/unnecessary slash marks
3. Can an author telegraph with any more transparent cheesiness that the rough and ready bush pilot male protagonist (why are they always named Jack?) wants to get in the central female's pants than by feeding him the line, "You have an aura of self-containment about you."
4. I don't need a parenthetical explanation IN DIALOGUE of what an ungulate is. Like a scientist would go to Kenya without knowing that. Cripes.
5. Thank God the Great Rift Valley is way more epic than this snoozy book.
6. Tick typhus? Stampede? And a plane crash? Really? Does he need to save her life THAT many times?
7. Pretty sure that even if a smokin' hot bush pilot named Jack was saving me from crocodiles amidst a crush of drowning wildebeests I'd still be a bit preoccupied by both the reptiles AND the ungulates to not fixate on his inadvertently copping a feel while hoisting me to safety (as he does routinely every couple of weeks.)
Feel MUCH better to get that off my chest.
February 13, 2011
You know, I think until the last chapter of this book I was almost considering giving it 5 stars, and after the last chapter I was going to downgrade it to 2, such was the difference the last chapter made in how I felt about it. Against my better judgement I'm going to split the difference even though the final chapter really ruined my over-all impression of the book. I don't know how your tagline can be 'Love-whatever the cost' and end it the way it ended.
Ignoring the final chapter, there was lots about this book I liked. The setting at an archaeological dig in Kenya was fascinating, as was the history of the local Masai tribe and the politics between tribal law and 'white' law in the time period. It basically ticked a lot of boxes in terms of my own interests lie.
The main character is Natalie - a 20 something who joins the dig in Kenya of a renowned archaeologist Eleanor Deacon. Natalie is nursing her wounds after the death of her mother, estrangement from her father and the abandonment of her married lover and goes to the gorge to work.
An important discover is made almost immediately on her arrival and she suggests that before the scientists who made the discovery can jump the gun and publish their findings, that they compare the bones they found with more recent bones. The two doctors, unwilling to wait for proper procedure then go and raid a Masai grave, stealing bones in order to verify their findings.
The grave robbing is what sets the rest of the events of the book into motion as one of the doctors is murdered by a Masai man and Natalie is the only one who can identify that the man was in the vicinity of the murder scene.
The book for me is at its most successful when it is dealing with the cultural complexities between what is acceptable under different rules of law. There is a political under-current in the book, where you see scientists trying to broker ways in which to protect their findings, while placating two very different sides in a country on the brink of independence as both sides are attempting to get a foothold in the new Kenya and see the trial as a way to make it happen.
The characters were generally well rounded and complex. Natalie could have perhaps been a little less self-involved (I was almost at the stage of wanting to throttle her at times in the book for mentioning Dominic) and perhaps a little too rigid in her thinking regarding the multiple marriages acceptable in Masai society considering she, herself, had been quite happy to engaged in a relationship with a married lover. I would say that her appeal to the men around the camp was a little ridiculous, but they were in the middle of nowhere and she was an attractive, intelligent woman so I suppose options were limited considering the only other woman available was Eleanor who was in her 60's. ;)
The dynamics between Natalie and the Deacons - both with Eleanor and Eleanor's sons (Christopher and Jack) was pretty fascinating. Eleanor, the older matriarch of the archaeological world who ran her digs with an iron fist was actually extremely likeable for me, even as she riled Natalie up. Christopher, a quiet and introverted guy seemed almost fascinated with Natalie, but he was slow to act until his brother arrived and then it almost became more about his own jealous nature than anything else. Jack was charming, and intelligent and passionate and a very easy character to like and it was easy to see why Natalie was drawn to him (even if at times it wasn't always easy to see why he was drawn to Natalie.)
As I said, the book does a lot right and if it hadn't been for the ending then I think I would have really loved it.
Ignoring the final chapter, there was lots about this book I liked. The setting at an archaeological dig in Kenya was fascinating, as was the history of the local Masai tribe and the politics between tribal law and 'white' law in the time period. It basically ticked a lot of boxes in terms of my own interests lie.
The main character is Natalie - a 20 something who joins the dig in Kenya of a renowned archaeologist Eleanor Deacon. Natalie is nursing her wounds after the death of her mother, estrangement from her father and the abandonment of her married lover and goes to the gorge to work.
An important discover is made almost immediately on her arrival and she suggests that before the scientists who made the discovery can jump the gun and publish their findings, that they compare the bones they found with more recent bones. The two doctors, unwilling to wait for proper procedure then go and raid a Masai grave, stealing bones in order to verify their findings.
The grave robbing is what sets the rest of the events of the book into motion as one of the doctors is murdered by a Masai man and Natalie is the only one who can identify that the man was in the vicinity of the murder scene.
The book for me is at its most successful when it is dealing with the cultural complexities between what is acceptable under different rules of law. There is a political under-current in the book, where you see scientists trying to broker ways in which to protect their findings, while placating two very different sides in a country on the brink of independence as both sides are attempting to get a foothold in the new Kenya and see the trial as a way to make it happen.
The characters were generally well rounded and complex. Natalie could have perhaps been a little less self-involved (I was almost at the stage of wanting to throttle her at times in the book for mentioning Dominic) and perhaps a little too rigid in her thinking regarding the multiple marriages acceptable in Masai society considering she, herself, had been quite happy to engaged in a relationship with a married lover. I would say that her appeal to the men around the camp was a little ridiculous, but they were in the middle of nowhere and she was an attractive, intelligent woman so I suppose options were limited considering the only other woman available was Eleanor who was in her 60's. ;)
The dynamics between Natalie and the Deacons - both with Eleanor and Eleanor's sons (Christopher and Jack) was pretty fascinating. Eleanor, the older matriarch of the archaeological world who ran her digs with an iron fist was actually extremely likeable for me, even as she riled Natalie up. Christopher, a quiet and introverted guy seemed almost fascinated with Natalie, but he was slow to act until his brother arrived and then it almost became more about his own jealous nature than anything else. Jack was charming, and intelligent and passionate and a very easy character to like and it was easy to see why Natalie was drawn to him (even if at times it wasn't always easy to see why he was drawn to Natalie.)
As I said, the book does a lot right and if it hadn't been for the ending then I think I would have really loved it.
October 31, 2009
Oh dear, this was so disappointing! The premise was so good - on the verge of Kenyan independence, the claustrophobic environment of a dig in the middle of Masai burial grounds, an attractive young female doctor in the middle - but it just didn't deliver at all. I'm assuming Mackenzie Ford is a man - well, whatever, he certainly didn't get inside the head or heart of Natalie. The prose is stilted and slow - coversations turn into lessons on Kenyan culture and history and I really didn't feel I'd missed much by skipping through the last third. A good idea poorly delivered.
January 12, 2012
What I loved about this book was the excellent view of Kenya/Tanzania during a certain time in history. The author had great descriptions of life on an archaeological dig site in the African bush - clearly he was writing from his own experience as an archaelogist. That part was fascinating, and I really felt like I got a good picture of the land and the Maasai culture. Having spent a very little time in Africa, I really enjoyed this aspect. However, the book was ultimately overdone, WAY too long and a bit repetitive. The heroine, Natalie Nelson, was interesting and strong-willed and struggling with an interesting moral dilemma - which I won't give away since it is a big part of the storyline - but pretty one-dimensional. Blah, Blah, Blah about her difficult break-up and family dramas. If I had to read one more instance where the her throat began to sweat due to nervous tension...AAARGH. The romance between Nelson and the one of the men on the dig was entirely predictable, sort of cheesy dashing hero and nervous maiden stuff. HOWEVER, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it, with some reservations.
September 3, 2012
The premise is interesting (archaeology, murder, politics, colonialism and independence in Kenya), but the melodrama, and the lackluster and unrealistic love story, coupled with one-dimensional and inherently unlikeable characters made this painful to finish, though I did due to a misguided need to see how the story ended. I wish I hadn't.
Overall, I wasn't sure whether this book was going for a glorified historical romance, a political evaluation of the rights of minorities, or a dark commentary on the human condition and morality (i.e. The Poisonwood Bible). Ultimately, I think it failed at all three.
The characterization was one major reason for the book's failures. Natalie,
Overall, I wasn't sure whether this book was going for a glorified historical romance, a political evaluation of the rights of minorities, or a dark commentary on the human condition and morality (i.e. The Poisonwood Bible). Ultimately, I think it failed at all three.
The characterization was one major reason for the book's failures. Natalie,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2013
Romance, murder and archeology in the wonderful setting of an excavation in Kenya as well as beautiful
descriptions and well-developed characters.This book is wonderfully written by Mackenzie Ford, nom the plume of Peter Watson ,a respected historian whose vast knowledge is clearly shown in the novel.
The plot may be considered slightly old-fashioned (in a good way most of the times) but it was certainly a welcome change for me after so many dystopian novels. However, I didn't expect the book to end the way it did ,and although it made complete sense I found it somewhat disappointing.
All in all The Clouds Beneath the Sun is really worth reading and it will take you back to 1961 , to the Serengeti, to learn about the Maasai people and the social upheaval before the independence in Kenya.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
descriptions and well-developed characters.This book is wonderfully written by Mackenzie Ford, nom the plume of Peter Watson ,a respected historian whose vast knowledge is clearly shown in the novel.
The plot may be considered slightly old-fashioned (in a good way most of the times) but it was certainly a welcome change for me after so many dystopian novels. However, I didn't expect the book to end the way it did ,and although it made complete sense I found it somewhat disappointing.
All in all The Clouds Beneath the Sun is really worth reading and it will take you back to 1961 , to the Serengeti, to learn about the Maasai people and the social upheaval before the independence in Kenya.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
June 2, 2010
I thought long and hard before giving this book a 4-star rating. This is another of the books sent to me as a first-reads winner, and I must say I always get something interesting that I might not have picked up on my own. This book is no exception.
The story is set in Kenya prior to independence, taking place over a period of months in late 1961 and early 1962. It revolves around Dr. Natalie Nelson and a family that loosely resembles the Leakeys, who made many dramatic paleontological discoveries in the Rift Valley. A dramatic discovery of the first hominid to walk upright starts the story. The men involved in the discovery raid a Maasai graveyard for contemporary bones with which to compare the find. Subsequently, one of the men is found murdered. Dr. Nelson believes she saw the perpetrator on his way to commit the crime. The story proceeds from there, complete with tribal issues, comparisons of African and western justice, Dr. Nelson's, determination to tell her story in court despite pressure from all sides not to do so, and the requisite, if somewhat understated, romance.
This is a very complex story, and it took some time to begin keeping all of the characters straight in my mind and begin to understand their issues and motivations. The Deacon family dynamic is at the heart of the story, especially the rivalries between two brothers, Christopher and Jack, both of whom are more than a little interested in Dr. Nelson. As is just about every white man in the story. Dr. Nelson is recovering from the end of an affair and the death of her mother, along with an estrangement from her father. She comes across as a very intelligent and highly principled young woman, though unsure about her future.
The complexity weaves its way along, and I confess I was never bored. Mackenzie Ford does a great job of explaining basic principles of paleontology, along with capturing some of the tension in pre-independence Kenya. Most of his characters are compelling and their motivations are clear. However, I think he failed to truly capture Jack Deacon, harping on his desire to marry and have children, when indeed I believe he was a much more complicated man.
The ending comes up rather suddenly and unpredictably, despite some very clear seeds for it being sown during the course of the book. Without giving it away, let's just say it isn't a happy ending by any stretch of the imagination.
Some of Mr. Ford's writing would benefit from additional editing. One thing that drives me insane is when an author seemingly can't make up his or her mind about which word best suits his descriptions, so he throws in all of them just to be sure the reader "gets" it. There were two instances of this on the first page, which almost made me put the book down. "Natalie was weary--no, she was drained, exhausted, spent. . . and, . . .she had left Cambridge sometime yesterday, and she was anxious, longing, desperate to reach Kihara camp. Really, make up your mind and tighten the writing.
I gave this 4 stars because frankly, once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. It was a good read, and I relish complexity in a story. Too many these days seem to be just a one note harping. This book is well worth the effort. I learned quite a bit about an area, paleontology, where I know very little. And that goes for Africa, too.
The story is set in Kenya prior to independence, taking place over a period of months in late 1961 and early 1962. It revolves around Dr. Natalie Nelson and a family that loosely resembles the Leakeys, who made many dramatic paleontological discoveries in the Rift Valley. A dramatic discovery of the first hominid to walk upright starts the story. The men involved in the discovery raid a Maasai graveyard for contemporary bones with which to compare the find. Subsequently, one of the men is found murdered. Dr. Nelson believes she saw the perpetrator on his way to commit the crime. The story proceeds from there, complete with tribal issues, comparisons of African and western justice, Dr. Nelson's, determination to tell her story in court despite pressure from all sides not to do so, and the requisite, if somewhat understated, romance.
This is a very complex story, and it took some time to begin keeping all of the characters straight in my mind and begin to understand their issues and motivations. The Deacon family dynamic is at the heart of the story, especially the rivalries between two brothers, Christopher and Jack, both of whom are more than a little interested in Dr. Nelson. As is just about every white man in the story. Dr. Nelson is recovering from the end of an affair and the death of her mother, along with an estrangement from her father. She comes across as a very intelligent and highly principled young woman, though unsure about her future.
The complexity weaves its way along, and I confess I was never bored. Mackenzie Ford does a great job of explaining basic principles of paleontology, along with capturing some of the tension in pre-independence Kenya. Most of his characters are compelling and their motivations are clear. However, I think he failed to truly capture Jack Deacon, harping on his desire to marry and have children, when indeed I believe he was a much more complicated man.
The ending comes up rather suddenly and unpredictably, despite some very clear seeds for it being sown during the course of the book. Without giving it away, let's just say it isn't a happy ending by any stretch of the imagination.
Some of Mr. Ford's writing would benefit from additional editing. One thing that drives me insane is when an author seemingly can't make up his or her mind about which word best suits his descriptions, so he throws in all of them just to be sure the reader "gets" it. There were two instances of this on the first page, which almost made me put the book down. "Natalie was weary--no, she was drained, exhausted, spent. . . and, . . .she had left Cambridge sometime yesterday, and she was anxious, longing, desperate to reach Kihara camp. Really, make up your mind and tighten the writing.
I gave this 4 stars because frankly, once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. It was a good read, and I relish complexity in a story. Too many these days seem to be just a one note harping. This book is well worth the effort. I learned quite a bit about an area, paleontology, where I know very little. And that goes for Africa, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2010
I had to skim to make it thru this. It had a decent start, introducing us to Natalie, a young woman beginning in the archeology world, suffering a broken heart (of which we heard WAY TOO MUCH ABOUT) and dealing with grief over her recently deceased mother. She goes to join a dig in Africa and we meet some not all that likeable characters. Russel, a Californian Aussie that immediately falls in love with Natalie. Eleanor, an incredibly bossy, prying, controlling know it all. Christopher, the know it all's son who also falls in love with Natalie. Richard who barely resides long enough for me to mention him. And later, Jack, another son of know it all who naturally, falls in love with Natalie.
Despite the constant mentioning of her former lover, Dominic, I enjoyed the dig finds, the murder itself and the antics leading up to it, and most of all, I enjoyed the tidbits about the African flora, fawna, and animals. But soon, the story began to go like this: Natalie receives a letter from Russell (who is no longer on the team but after having had a few whiskeys with Natalie, thinks they have something special), Eleanor attempts to talk Natalie out of testifying against the murderer, they find something in the dig, Natalie and Jack have a deep conversation, somebody tries to talk Natalie into testifying, Eleanor once again encourages Natalie NOT to testify, Natalie receives a letter from Russell, Natalie and Jack have a deep and completely irrelevant to the story discussion... and so on.
When that bloody Dominic was mentioned for the zillionth time on page 248, I began to skim. I had had enough.
The ending.. I am not one of those readers that has to have a happy ending everytime, but this one stinks.
Despite the constant mentioning of her former lover, Dominic, I enjoyed the dig finds, the murder itself and the antics leading up to it, and most of all, I enjoyed the tidbits about the African flora, fawna, and animals. But soon, the story began to go like this: Natalie receives a letter from Russell (who is no longer on the team but after having had a few whiskeys with Natalie, thinks they have something special), Eleanor attempts to talk Natalie out of testifying against the murderer, they find something in the dig, Natalie and Jack have a deep conversation, somebody tries to talk Natalie into testifying, Eleanor once again encourages Natalie NOT to testify, Natalie receives a letter from Russell, Natalie and Jack have a deep and completely irrelevant to the story discussion... and so on.
When that bloody Dominic was mentioned for the zillionth time on page 248, I began to skim. I had had enough.
The ending.. I am not one of those readers that has to have a happy ending everytime, but this one stinks.
July 14, 2010
Set in the early 1960's, The Clouds Beneath the Sun revolves around Natalie Nelson, a freshly minted Ph. D. Suffering the loss of her mother, rejection of her father, and the breakup of her married boyfriend, Dr. Natalie Nelson heads to Africa to join an archaeological team digging in a Kenyan gorge. This digging season proves to be the most intense the experienced team has ever had. Two team members raid the ancient bural grounds of the local Massai tribe in order to have modern bones for comparison to the bones they have discovered. One of them is murdered. From there, problems arise in many forms: criminal, moral, and political; with romance and natural dangers thrown in for good measure.
I truly enjoyed The Clouds Beneath the Sun. The story never felt rushed or contrived. At over 450 pages, the author took his time to develop the story and the characters, as well as the believable setting. Although most of the book takes place either in the camp or in Nairobi, some of the best and most memorable parts of the book take place in the bush, at a secret lake, saving wildebeests, and over Christmas break in Lamu. Massai culture is touched upon, but certainly not a strong theme in this book.
Almost 4 stars for me!
I truly enjoyed The Clouds Beneath the Sun. The story never felt rushed or contrived. At over 450 pages, the author took his time to develop the story and the characters, as well as the believable setting. Although most of the book takes place either in the camp or in Nairobi, some of the best and most memorable parts of the book take place in the bush, at a secret lake, saving wildebeests, and over Christmas break in Lamu. Massai culture is touched upon, but certainly not a strong theme in this book.
Almost 4 stars for me!
June 12, 2010
I must thank Goodreads and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for allowing me to preview this book!
Unfortunately, this book fell a bit short of the bill. It's a pity because, as in the summary, we have an exciting premises here.
The amount of repetition, especially whenever the heroine was being nostalgic, just gets old after a while. The reader doesn't need to be reminded every chapter or so just what issues she has. And each rumination doesn't need to be written like it's the first time she's thinking about it, when she's thought of it at least three times before. We get it! We also have your usual Mary Sue, where every male in the camp notices how attractive she is the moment she steps in. Oh boy.
The setting is also set up a bit awkwardly. I had to remind myself a few times that this was set in the 1960's. It's probably because almost none of the setting, in terms of the time period, is built up outside of random conversations.
I wouldn't recommend this book. Which is really a shame because, going by the book summary, I would have loved to.
Unfortunately, this book fell a bit short of the bill. It's a pity because, as in the summary, we have an exciting premises here.
The amount of repetition, especially whenever the heroine was being nostalgic, just gets old after a while. The reader doesn't need to be reminded every chapter or so just what issues she has. And each rumination doesn't need to be written like it's the first time she's thinking about it, when she's thought of it at least three times before. We get it! We also have your usual Mary Sue, where every male in the camp notices how attractive she is the moment she steps in. Oh boy.
The setting is also set up a bit awkwardly. I had to remind myself a few times that this was set in the 1960's. It's probably because almost none of the setting, in terms of the time period, is built up outside of random conversations.
I wouldn't recommend this book. Which is really a shame because, going by the book summary, I would have loved to.
June 9, 2016
I have to say I agree with all the 1 and 2 stars. This book started out as a 5 star and quickly kept diminishing. The last chapter, as one reviewer put it, made it (for me) a negative star. Bad, bad, no-point writing. Like Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas--I ask you, why bother? Stilted characters including evil (in Christopher) that is hard to believe and left flat except for obnoxious behaviors; vengeance and unreasonableness in Russel that was painful to read (it was too sharp and extreme--no sympathy/connection was built for the character, which was a waste b/c the potential was there), a very lifeless and loveless love with Jack. The "love" affair could not have been any more unemotional.
The one character who started out as badly as the rest but did come to at least a hint of growth/redemption was Natalie's father--but we all know where that went. Elenore also had some good developments, but, again... to what point?
This could have been an awesome book. It wasn't.
The one character who started out as badly as the rest but did come to at least a hint of growth/redemption was Natalie's father--but we all know where that went. Elenore also had some good developments, but, again... to what point?
This could have been an awesome book. It wasn't.
December 29, 2012
You can find quite an interesting group of people at an archaeological dig in Kenya in 1961. This is where Natalie Nelson finds herself as part of a remote dig site in the Serengeti. Things are going great until the team runs into grave robbing and murder that Natalie becomes a key witness of. But of course, that is not all. Natalie finds herself in a battle between two brothers - a competition that had been around for their entire lives.
I don't think anything I say can really do justice to this book. I feel as if I was in Kenya. I felt the heat, I heard the animals, I smelled the Serengeti. There was a lot going on in Kenya in the early '60's and I was able to experience a little bit of all of it by reading this book.
The characters were engaging and dynamic, the setting was beautiful. My only complaint is that the author lingered over the political aspects of what was going on in the country in a way that I didn't understand at first.
I don't think anything I say can really do justice to this book. I feel as if I was in Kenya. I felt the heat, I heard the animals, I smelled the Serengeti. There was a lot going on in Kenya in the early '60's and I was able to experience a little bit of all of it by reading this book.
The characters were engaging and dynamic, the setting was beautiful. My only complaint is that the author lingered over the political aspects of what was going on in the country in a way that I didn't understand at first.
February 8, 2011
I became fairly enthralled with this book when I reached about the second or third chapter. I felt that the author did a very good job of developing the characters: revealing just enough of what motivated them in order to lend them depth, while allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions about the rightness of each character's actions. I also was intrigued by the use of 1961 Kenya as the setting, which created a very politically charged backdrop for the overall mystery within the book. With all of these positives, however, I was still left with a slight feeling of having been cheated when I read the last page of the book; something felt both rushed and unfinished to me about the conclusion and some things that I thought would be answered were not even addressed again.
July 24, 2011
Fantastic tale of archeologists at Kenya dig: politics- academic, racial and social, adventure/danger, and romance, something for everyone! I was caught up in this story from to finish, though I could see the somewhat unsatisfying conclusion to this novel a kilometer away. My only other note is that there is a particular phrase running through character Natalie's musings that was odd the first time I read it and ridiculous with subsequent encounter (send me a note if it bothers you!).
October 3, 2013
I really liked the vivid imagery of landscape and wildlife that brought Kenya to life for me and life on an archaeological dig was informative and interesting so half way through the book I was thinking towards a four-star rating. Sadly the story, especially the romantic aspect, gradually diminished those glowing stars until they barely glimmered at a tentative 3. Too incredulous and predictable, only the wonderful glimpse of Africa halted the fall of yet another star, such a shame.
July 22, 2017
I honestly didn't think this would be to my taste, but my friend passed it on to me insisting I try it. I'm glad she did! It was a very engaging, enjoyable read and I highly recommend this.
May 10, 2018
Enjoyed this book
An exotic setting and a passionate, forbidden affair make The Clouds Beneath the Sun an irresistible page-turner that is sure to satisfy readers looking for an intelligent blend of history, romance, and intrigue.
Mackenzie Ford (a nom de plume) was introduced to readers in 2009 with the publication of Gifts of War, which was praised in USA Today as “an absorbing, morally complex read.” In a starred review, Library Journal said, “Ford keeps the reader on a knife’s edge as the lies build and the truth is only a word or misstep away. Highly recommended.”
Now Ford takes us to Kenya in 1961. As a small plane carrying Natalie Nelson lands at a remote airstrip in the Serengeti, Natalie knows she’s run just about as far as she can from home. Trained as an archeologist, she accepted an invitation to be included in a famous excavating team, her first opportunity to escape England and the painful memories of her past.
But before she can get her bearings, the dig is surrounded by controversy involving the local Masai people—and murder. Compounding the tension, Eleanor Deacon, friend of the Masai, who is leading the excavating mission, watches a rift grow between her two handsome sons. Natalie’s growing attraction to Jack Deacon soon becomes a passionate affair that turns dangerous when she must give evidence in a trial that could spark even more violence and turmoil.
The startling beauty of the Kenyan setting, the tension of looming social upheaval, and the dizzying highs and crushing lows of a doomed love affair are all captured brilliantly on every page of this extraordinary and utterly unforgettable novel.
An exotic setting and a passionate, forbidden affair make The Clouds Beneath the Sun an irresistible page-turner that is sure to satisfy readers looking for an intelligent blend of history, romance, and intrigue.
Mackenzie Ford (a nom de plume) was introduced to readers in 2009 with the publication of Gifts of War, which was praised in USA Today as “an absorbing, morally complex read.” In a starred review, Library Journal said, “Ford keeps the reader on a knife’s edge as the lies build and the truth is only a word or misstep away. Highly recommended.”
Now Ford takes us to Kenya in 1961. As a small plane carrying Natalie Nelson lands at a remote airstrip in the Serengeti, Natalie knows she’s run just about as far as she can from home. Trained as an archeologist, she accepted an invitation to be included in a famous excavating team, her first opportunity to escape England and the painful memories of her past.
But before she can get her bearings, the dig is surrounded by controversy involving the local Masai people—and murder. Compounding the tension, Eleanor Deacon, friend of the Masai, who is leading the excavating mission, watches a rift grow between her two handsome sons. Natalie’s growing attraction to Jack Deacon soon becomes a passionate affair that turns dangerous when she must give evidence in a trial that could spark even more violence and turmoil.
The startling beauty of the Kenyan setting, the tension of looming social upheaval, and the dizzying highs and crushing lows of a doomed love affair are all captured brilliantly on every page of this extraordinary and utterly unforgettable novel.
January 15, 2018
Hmmmm. . . .
So I loved the archeological aspect of the book. Mackenzie Ford had obviously done a lot of research giving the book very interesting aspect.
At first I thought that the love story between the characters was believable, it wasn’t a jump in with both feet. The story had a slow start but then I started getting impatient. I felt that the love wasn’t true. I wasn’t convinced at all by her love for Jack or his love for her.
It was such a shame that a novel that had obviously been so well researched, was to be a bit of a disappointment near the end.
I don’t regret reading the book I just wish that pages weren’t spoilt on what I felt was unnecessary deaths and more put in to the story of which was captions ‘Love whatever the cost’.
If you are reading the book for the love aspect then, you are going to be disappointed. But if the archeological side interests you then go for it !
So I loved the archeological aspect of the book. Mackenzie Ford had obviously done a lot of research giving the book very interesting aspect.
At first I thought that the love story between the characters was believable, it wasn’t a jump in with both feet. The story had a slow start but then I started getting impatient. I felt that the love wasn’t true. I wasn’t convinced at all by her love for Jack or his love for her.
It was such a shame that a novel that had obviously been so well researched, was to be a bit of a disappointment near the end.
I don’t regret reading the book I just wish that pages weren’t spoilt on what I felt was unnecessary deaths and more put in to the story of which was captions ‘Love whatever the cost’.
If you are reading the book for the love aspect then, you are going to be disappointed. But if the archeological side interests you then go for it !
August 30, 2017
This book takes place in Kenya in 1961. It is the story of a new archaeologist who comes to be part of a dig in the territory of the Maasai people. The beginning of the book shows great potential as a mystery novel. However, it soon deteriorates into all the dysfunctional lives of the people on the dig and an upcoming trial. I understand that everyone goes through hardship in their lives, but this gets to the point of ridiculousness with these characters. If it is a tragedy and can happen , it does. If you want to be depressed this is the book for you.
June 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book.
It is loosely based on the Leaky's exploration of the Olduvai gorge which is in Tanzania but this book is set in Kenya just before Independence.
The characters are well-drawn and the plot twists and turns which kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.
It looks at Masai tribal ideas and laws as well as the paleontology aspect of the story - which at the time was HUGE.
The ending was a shock but I do believe that is also partly based on a real event.
I would read more by this author in furture as it was a good engagaing read.
It is loosely based on the Leaky's exploration of the Olduvai gorge which is in Tanzania but this book is set in Kenya just before Independence.
The characters are well-drawn and the plot twists and turns which kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.
It looks at Masai tribal ideas and laws as well as the paleontology aspect of the story - which at the time was HUGE.
The ending was a shock but I do believe that is also partly based on a real event.
I would read more by this author in furture as it was a good engagaing read.
May 18, 2017
I thought this book was interesting and well-written, but was slightly disappointed in the author's ability to REALLY get inside his characters' hearts and heads and bring that to his readers. He had a great story to tell, but I would have appreciated feeling a stronger emotional connection to his protagonists.
June 20, 2018
A stinker. Nothing more needed.
July 19, 2018
Didn't finish reading this book. I no longer feel guilty about starting a book & not finishing it if I find it difficult to read or if it doesn't hold my interest. This was one of those books.
July 14, 2019
I did enjoy this book, though not the ending. It was a bit repetitive at times though.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
July 23, 2021
Great story! The beauty and majesty of Kenya are glimpsed throughout this novel based on a series of true events.
July 9, 2010
An archeologist excavation in Kenya filled with brilliant paleontologists is the setting of the book…the characters' work, cultural differences, and inter-personal relationships encompasses the main plot. In the first few pages the main character, Natalie Nelson, is on her way from Cambridge University to the camp, and she comes across a herd of elephants actually carrying out a mourning ritual...her first glimpse of the mesmerizing sights and sounds of Africa. The descriptions of the wildlife in Africa and the land itself was vividly and beautifully described by Mackenzie Ford.
When Natalie does arrive at the camp site, she is happy to see everyone has his/her own tent with private bath facilities. This is especially comforting the following evening since she didn't get a warm welcome at dinner as a result of her being the novice paleontologist and making a comment that was viewed as criticism of one of the veteran archeologists.
Just as things got better with that situation, and as the excavating continued, two veteran paleontologists, Richard and Russell, do something unthinkable, and a murder occurs. The sole witness happens to be Natalie. Natalie tries to relax and forget about the trial each night with a drink and a cigarette while listening to the African animals that circle the camp. The trial gets pretty complicated and worrisome for Natalie....a plea made to the Maasai chief concerning the trial is denied....the legal and cultural issues are of the utmost concern.
The book was a little slow, but does become a lot better in terms of "action" as you turn the pages to the final chapters....the focus of the archaeological dig, the murder trial, Natalie's turmoil dealing with it, the power of money, societal issues within Africa, relationship issues among a group of people working and living together, personal secrets, and family issues that included sibling rivalry, betrayal, and deceit keep your interest.
It wasn't a riveting novel, but it was intense at times, and it did bring you culturally into another very interesting society. The characters were well developed, and you could feel their pain, fear, triumphs, comradery, and all emotions that may have been felt from living in the middle of a beautiful, exotic African landscape. Being a passionate, knowledgeable paleontologist would have been even more helpful for enjoying the book.
My rating is a 4/5 because the "dig" was very interesting and the cultural aspect made you think how we are all the same, but also different. Even though the ending depicted the beautiful symbolism of the Maasai people, it will haunt you and make you realize what cunning, cruel, jealous, self-motivated creatures we humans can be.
When Natalie does arrive at the camp site, she is happy to see everyone has his/her own tent with private bath facilities. This is especially comforting the following evening since she didn't get a warm welcome at dinner as a result of her being the novice paleontologist and making a comment that was viewed as criticism of one of the veteran archeologists.
Just as things got better with that situation, and as the excavating continued, two veteran paleontologists, Richard and Russell, do something unthinkable, and a murder occurs. The sole witness happens to be Natalie. Natalie tries to relax and forget about the trial each night with a drink and a cigarette while listening to the African animals that circle the camp. The trial gets pretty complicated and worrisome for Natalie....a plea made to the Maasai chief concerning the trial is denied....the legal and cultural issues are of the utmost concern.
The book was a little slow, but does become a lot better in terms of "action" as you turn the pages to the final chapters....the focus of the archaeological dig, the murder trial, Natalie's turmoil dealing with it, the power of money, societal issues within Africa, relationship issues among a group of people working and living together, personal secrets, and family issues that included sibling rivalry, betrayal, and deceit keep your interest.
It wasn't a riveting novel, but it was intense at times, and it did bring you culturally into another very interesting society. The characters were well developed, and you could feel their pain, fear, triumphs, comradery, and all emotions that may have been felt from living in the middle of a beautiful, exotic African landscape. Being a passionate, knowledgeable paleontologist would have been even more helpful for enjoying the book.
My rating is a 4/5 because the "dig" was very interesting and the cultural aspect made you think how we are all the same, but also different. Even though the ending depicted the beautiful symbolism of the Maasai people, it will haunt you and make you realize what cunning, cruel, jealous, self-motivated creatures we humans can be.
June 2, 2014
Rarely does a novel live up to its pre-publication hype. But Mackenzie Ford’s “Clouds Beneath the Sun” (Doubleday, 2009) does just that.
Crisp and compelling, this 448-page novel set in pre-independent Kenya is a skillful weft of history, archeology and paleontology, religion, passion and murder. The story plays out amid the powerful clash of modern and ancient cultures and the feral beauty of the Serengeti.
A newly minted Cambridge PhD, Natalie Nelson arrives on her first dig in Kenya’s Kihara Gorge with enough skeletons in her family closet to choke a mule train. She becomes entangled with the Deacons, whose matriarch, Eleanor, heads the digging expedition, and Eleanor’s sons Christopher and Jack, whose epic sibling rivalry spills over into tragedy. When two over zealous members of the expedition uncover a knee joint, Natalie recommends a comparison to modern bones to determine age before they publish their findings. In a hurry to scoop the archaeological world on what appears to be a major find, Russell and Richard desecrate a Maasi burial ground to locate otherwise elusive “modern bones” for comparison. The situation deteriorates rapidly. Natalie finds Richard hacked to death by machete and recalls seeing a black Maasi staff member appearing to flee the scene the night of the crime. She’s called to “give evidence” after an arrest is made and a trial scheduled.
Thrown in to a simmering cauldron of racial, political, cultural, and familial tension, the pressure’s on for Natalie to either back down or change her story. Added to the mix are threatening relatives, potential loss of funds for the dig, sun stroke, dangerous animals and even more dangerous Maasi, political posturing, courtroom drama, love triangles, beautiful country, and illness. Also a wildebeest stampede, heat, dust, and more threats. Ford’s characters, dialogue and plot are so vivid and three-dimensional, you can almost taste the roast chicken dinners, knock back Natalie’s whiskey nightcaps, and smell the after-dinner campfire smoke.
Ford masterfully rolls out a rising line of tension, romance, and social upheaval while avoiding sanctimonious sermonizing. Taut and engaging, “Clouds” zooms out of the sky and provides a satisfying panorama of Kenyan places, people and culture like Jack Deacon’s Comanche plane buzzing Ngorongoro Crater. Two thumbs up.
Crisp and compelling, this 448-page novel set in pre-independent Kenya is a skillful weft of history, archeology and paleontology, religion, passion and murder. The story plays out amid the powerful clash of modern and ancient cultures and the feral beauty of the Serengeti.
A newly minted Cambridge PhD, Natalie Nelson arrives on her first dig in Kenya’s Kihara Gorge with enough skeletons in her family closet to choke a mule train. She becomes entangled with the Deacons, whose matriarch, Eleanor, heads the digging expedition, and Eleanor’s sons Christopher and Jack, whose epic sibling rivalry spills over into tragedy. When two over zealous members of the expedition uncover a knee joint, Natalie recommends a comparison to modern bones to determine age before they publish their findings. In a hurry to scoop the archaeological world on what appears to be a major find, Russell and Richard desecrate a Maasi burial ground to locate otherwise elusive “modern bones” for comparison. The situation deteriorates rapidly. Natalie finds Richard hacked to death by machete and recalls seeing a black Maasi staff member appearing to flee the scene the night of the crime. She’s called to “give evidence” after an arrest is made and a trial scheduled.
Thrown in to a simmering cauldron of racial, political, cultural, and familial tension, the pressure’s on for Natalie to either back down or change her story. Added to the mix are threatening relatives, potential loss of funds for the dig, sun stroke, dangerous animals and even more dangerous Maasi, political posturing, courtroom drama, love triangles, beautiful country, and illness. Also a wildebeest stampede, heat, dust, and more threats. Ford’s characters, dialogue and plot are so vivid and three-dimensional, you can almost taste the roast chicken dinners, knock back Natalie’s whiskey nightcaps, and smell the after-dinner campfire smoke.
Ford masterfully rolls out a rising line of tension, romance, and social upheaval while avoiding sanctimonious sermonizing. Taut and engaging, “Clouds” zooms out of the sky and provides a satisfying panorama of Kenyan places, people and culture like Jack Deacon’s Comanche plane buzzing Ngorongoro Crater. Two thumbs up.
March 29, 2010
Truthfully I don't want to give this book two stars. I would like to be able to give it three, but it's not possible. And as you'll see, even this kind of rating probably springs more from my fondness than the book's actual value.
I like the idea of a young archaeologist escaping her native England to a dig in almost-independent Kenya after a failed relationship to a married man and her mother's mysterious death. But the execution of the story is sloppy and reads more like a manuscript than something that should be sold as an end product. What I found especially grating is how the author keeps telling us about the protagonist's emotions - and everyone else's - but she doesn't SHOW them to the reader, which is why the characters can't hold up the story which, while being centered around a politically-important murder and the subsequent trial, also holds strong romance elements and an identity search for the main character. Plus I find the characters too one-dimensional, acting according to stereotypes: Russell-the-Australian constantly being observed as being (too) direct, Christopher only having the layer of jealousy, Eleanor-the-stern-mother/queen etc. Let's also not talk about the very stilted, unnatural dialogue.
While for the sake of the story's development I was quite ready to willingly suspend my disbelief for the most part, towards the ending the melodram becomes so strong, especially adding a possible layer of homosexuality which feels more like average fanfiction than believable romance-adventure-thriller writing, that I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Don't get me wrong; I was and am fond of the story. With a critical editor I think much of it could have been salvaged; I see real potential here. But sadly it wasn't exploited and got published seemingly in the same state as when the author first put it down on paper.
I do think the author made the right decision regarding the actual ending, though. The open structure of it gives back some of the satisfaction it took from me before, introducing some semblance of realism. I like that and feel thankful for it.
All in all? I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, but I personally would have liked to work on it!
I like the idea of a young archaeologist escaping her native England to a dig in almost-independent Kenya after a failed relationship to a married man and her mother's mysterious death. But the execution of the story is sloppy and reads more like a manuscript than something that should be sold as an end product. What I found especially grating is how the author keeps telling us about the protagonist's emotions - and everyone else's - but she doesn't SHOW them to the reader, which is why the characters can't hold up the story which, while being centered around a politically-important murder and the subsequent trial, also holds strong romance elements and an identity search for the main character. Plus I find the characters too one-dimensional, acting according to stereotypes: Russell-the-Australian constantly being observed as being (too) direct, Christopher only having the layer of jealousy, Eleanor-the-stern-mother/queen etc. Let's also not talk about the very stilted, unnatural dialogue.
While for the sake of the story's development I was quite ready to willingly suspend my disbelief for the most part, towards the ending the melodram becomes so strong, especially adding a possible layer of homosexuality which feels more like average fanfiction than believable romance-adventure-thriller writing, that I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Don't get me wrong; I was and am fond of the story. With a critical editor I think much of it could have been salvaged; I see real potential here. But sadly it wasn't exploited and got published seemingly in the same state as when the author first put it down on paper.
I do think the author made the right decision regarding the actual ending, though. The open structure of it gives back some of the satisfaction it took from me before, introducing some semblance of realism. I like that and feel thankful for it.
All in all? I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, but I personally would have liked to work on it!
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