A Guide to the Birds of East Africa, by Nicholas Drayson

Nicholas Drayson has written extensively on wildlife and natural history, but this latest book is a fictional novel that is an absolute gem.

Set in post-colonial Nairobi, the plot centres on two gentlemen, the brash Harry Khan, and the more reticent Mr. Malik. The former has returned to Nairobi after decades abroad seeking a bit of respite from his latest divorce. When Harry Khan chances upon a bird walking tour, fate brings him to meet Mr. Malik. The two men soon realize they were once school mates. They were not friends by any stretch of the imagination, as Harry was a golden boy, while Mr. Malik was the butt of Khan's jokes and pranks.

Nonethelss as adults they find common ground when they both fall in love with the birdwalker's tour guide, Rose Mbikwa. When the two men begin a birdwatching competition to decide who shall take the lovely Rose to the Hunt Ball, the fun begins.

This book will delight all readers regardless of their depth of knowledge of birding. It's a wonderful read, humourous, thoughtful, and insightful.

Shakespeare: The World as Stage, by Bill Bryson [2007]

There are not too many writers who can turn Shakespeare's life into light reading, but Bryson manages to do just that. With his usual wit and unique perspective, Bryson distills massive volumes encompassing speculation and conjecture about Shakespeare biography produced over the last hundred years, and delivers a wonderfully lucid and lighthearted romp through Shakespeare's life and times.

From Shakespeare's birth, to his marriage, to speculations on a possible tendency to wayward sexuality, Bryson cuts through all the academic posing and supposing and delivers the few actually documented facts about Shakespeare's life, the political goings on during the late days of Elizabeth the First's reign, and the culture of theatre life in general.

A wonderful read.

Your Sad Eyes and Unfogettable Mouth, by Edeet Ravel

Your Sad Eyes and Unforgettable Mouth, by Edeet Ravel (2008)

I've been a big fan of Edeet Ravel and thoroughly enjoyed her trilogy on Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her latest book, Your Sad Eyes, is a departure in themes but not a departure in style.

Set in Montreal in modern times, the book follows Maya from her present day struggles with relationships back to her teenage years as she searches for identity. Maya is part of a small circle of friends; the uniting factor is their parents' survival of the concentration camps of World War II. Ravel offers a point of view for the children of survivors, who struggle with guilt at surviving, fear of governments, ill health, and other life long consequences of being over "there" (which is how the parents refer to their war-time experience).

Children of survivors grow up with a lot of unbearable stories and unshared secrets. Some try to be "perfect" children so their parents need never be sad again. Others rebel and distance themselves. How do these children thrive when so much of their lives are tied to the past? When Maya and her best friend Rosie become involved with two older brothers, their world and their futures are irrevocably altered.

Ravel's writing style is beautiful. I often found myself rereading a sentence simply to enjoy her choice of words. While the subject matter is a serious one, Maya's life is full of hope and humour.