Francoise Malby-Anthony

Be warned. This book will break your heart. While this book does reference The Elephant Whisperer a couple of times, it mostly focuses on how she coped with her husband's death. I read the Elephant Whisperer a couple of years back and as far as I can recall this book does just as much justice to the combined magic and tragedy that living in the bush entails. Although I do think that a few vague references to events of that book may leave those who are unfamiliar with the story wanting more. The author explores her struggles and successes and explores the unique challenges hat come from being a (foreign) white woman deep in rural South Africa (where tradition plays a major role in daily life) in a respectful way. She examines the way she contributes, admitting her own shortcomings (for example, being unable to speak the language creates a language barrier). She is torn between a desire to give up (as it all seems hopeless) and a need to fight for the hope and vision she shared with her late husband to create a safe space for wildlife. As a biologist in Africa this internal struggle between hope and the lack thereof is one I'm all too familiar with.

This book is part homage to her husband (she talks about their life together in multiple parts, including how they met and fell in love) and the animals she lost to poachers along the way (believe me, she isn't gentle when talking about the cruelty she saw) and part conservation story about running her reserve. This book had me in tears multiple times (and I may or may not be shedding a few while I write this quite a bit later than I intended to).

This is a book that hits hard and will stay with you.… (mehr)