Out of Darkness, Shining Light

Gappah (The Book of Memory) uses two distinct voices to tell her version of the remarkable tale of the transportation of doctor and missionary David Livingstone’s body from where he died in what is now modern-day Zambia in May of 1873 to Africa’s eastern coast so that it could be returned to England. The tale of the 285-day journey is taken up by the sharp-tongued cook Halima on the night of Livingstone’s death. She is quick to offer her opinions on other members of the group, such as the untrustworthy Chirango and simpering Ntaoéka. Although she talks about the evils of African slavers and a massacre at Manyuema, in chapters that describe Livingstone’s final months, hers is the more lighthearted portion of the narrative. When the self-righteous and self-important Jacob Wainwright takes over to tell the tale of the trek in his journal entries, his poor opinion of his companions just adds to the misery as they face privation in the wilderness, varied receptions in villages, and more death along the road. Readers who enjoy expedition travelogues or smartly drawn characters will appreciate Gappah’s winning novel. (Sept.)