West with the Night

Anyone who aspires to be a writer of any sort would do well to read this beautifully written memoir. Markham simply just knows how to write. Markham writes with a calm relaxed fluidity born of self assurance. She knows she can write and she knows her stories are interesting. There's no mawkish self effacement or shyness here. A natural leader. She stops just shy of arrogance in describing her upbringing, horse training and bush piloting. Her's is a voice from an era gone by & her worldview reflects the typical mindset of a white woman of her time and place. Just a great read.

This book is a hidden treasure. Markham offers a rich history of her life and the western influence upon east Africa, the land where she grew into a woman. Her writing style takes descriptive to a new level. This is an excellent book for readers of thirteen to ninety years of age. If I could play a leading role in film, being Miss Markham would be the one. Inspiring woman - uplifting life - more to her story than is in this book.

Quite simply one of the best books I've ever read. West with the Night transports readers to a real life era of adventure (the 1930's in particular) in an Eastern Africa that scarcely resembles the region today. Markham's beautifully described tales of her adventures as a bush pilot make this one of those books that is hard to put down at the end of the day. As for her writing style, Ernest Hemingway's comment that she "Can write rings around all of us who consider ourselves writers" sums it up. I highly recommend this novel.

This is one of the best books I have ever read! The writing is superb and colorful. The author takes you on a journey through Africa. Also, I found this book to be very spiritual. Beryl Markham was an accomplished pilot and very courageous and ahead of her times. I savored every word!

Wonderfully written story of Beryl Markham's life growing up in Kenya East Africa and her career as an aviator. You can almost picture Markham sitting on the veranda at the Muthaiga Country Club telling tales of high adventure. It has been questioned whether she actually wrote the book or whether it was written by her third husband Raoul Schumacher. Either way it is a great story of a fascinating woman. Well worth the read.