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I actually really liked this book. I put off reading it when it came from the library, not really sure if I was in the mood for a "travel story." But I finally read the book after reading several others in a pile. And was I GLAD I did. The author really is a great writer, the story just flows and you really don't want to put it down until the end. The story itself is really quite *amazing.* I mean, 600 miles by kayak to Timbuktu???? And the journey is actually quite a lot more dangerous than I expected. Now, I knew that northern Mali was dangerous and tourists are often kidnapped. But I did not know how incredibly agressive and unwwelcoming (to put it kindly) so many villages are the further north you go into Mali. I knew, yes, further north near the border. But I didn't know in central Mali.... And the effect this would have when traveling along the river. So it's a travel travel story. But also a good personal story. The kindnesses of other villages and individuals. The psychological journey. And for me, who has studied African history, the parallels between her journal and Mungo Park's journey.... how similar the 2 experiences were/are despite the centuries in between. Great book, I highly recommend.
