Whisper in the Jungle by Robert Mwangi
Reviews
Whisper in the Jungle
4.0 out of 5 stars
Short And Sweet
This is an epic coming-of-age tale about a village boy named James, who experiences several life-changing events throughout his journey into manhood. Not only does he learn a few lessons about life, he learns a few things about his roots, too.
This story just about has it all: action, adventure, drama and even a bit of romance. Also, the book provides a glimpse of Africa from the perspective of an author who grew up there. The reader will be entertained AND informed.
Robert Mwangi's debut novel, from front to back, is a swell exhibition of talent in progress. He has the potential to be a great author, and I predict his subsequent novels will only get better with his progress as a writer.
Patricia aka Mamaw
5.0 out of 5 star
The author writes an intriguing story of mystery, suspense, adventure, romance and even humor. I have never read a book about modern day Africa so this was an adventure for me as well. Robert Mwangi definitely caught my attention and held it until the very end of the book. You will never guess what happens! The last part of the book sure surprised me as I am sure it will you also. The author seems like an intelligent, talented and delightful fun loving young man and I love his energy!
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Guiltless reading blog spot
Mwangi's obvious love for African culture is the backbone of the storyline. The stories about James's village, his time with his family, alongside the descriptions of age-old traditions, important figures in African history, and of his homeland are a peek into the Kenyan culture that he so loves.
This book is indeed a wonderful ambassador for the Kenyan culture!
Lori Shaw
Tracy Beth
4.0 out of 5 stars
Readers will connect with James based on his dreams, his loyalty, his caring nature, and his unbelievable strength of both body and mind. Mwangi does a fantastic job at bringing readers into a culture that is ever-changing.
The plot of this novel was more intricate than I first imagined. Not only does it follow James' dream of being a world famous soccer player, but also his journey to manhood through the traditional African way. Mwangi's writing style and descriptive methods show the readers exactly what it's like to be a young man in Africa. It's a beautiful book full of hope and love.
Other Book Review
Cocktail from the Savannah Review
By Robert Mwangi
Cocktail from the Savannah weaves a great story of a Maasai man in the concrete jungle of Nairobi. There is conflict between the Maasai culture and the modern ways. What is the difference between polygamy and a man who constantly sleeps around? The author Ciku Kimani is unapologetic as she questions the norms of the society.
This Ais a fictional story that is entertaining and conveys both the author’s and society’s perspective of life. It is written from third person point of view which is perfect because it’s not based on a true story. The author uses a descriptive style of writing that paints a vivid picture of a great story.
We follow the story of the main character Masikonde as he quickly learns that a child belongs to the village. Masikonde is a moran, a Maasai warrior. He is not expected to marry for love, but for recreation and wealth. Masikonde’s dilemmas reflect those of a man in a 21st generation caught between the new and the old.
My favorite character is Terrian. She is beautiful and has a good heart. I root for her when things get hard, and I applaud when she is happy. This book has very strong sex scenes that may be for a certain age group. But for those who love to cuddle with a book, there is a good balance between drama and romance.
Ciku Kimani uses humor to outline the gap between the rich and the poor in the society. The rich drink wine and take holidays, while the poor eat githeri (maize and beans) and wear cheap ngoma canvas shoes. The poor are also excited by the sight of a flashing toilet and keep using the facility even when they don’t need to.
This book has good suspense and will give the reader a wide range of knowledge on the Maasai culture, from polygamy, child marriage, arranged marriage, dowry ceremonies, and how different age groups behave towards each other.
I give this book 5 stars and believe Ciku Kimani has more to offer.
