Savannah Memories - Richard Milburn

A story of life in the savannah told through the point of view of an Acacia tree focuses on the wildlife and two characters – a travel guide who appreciates life in the savannah more so in comparison to other travel guides, and a female photographer from England, sent to capture real life of the savannah.

Having the story-teller as an acacia tree was an interesting character device, and made a refreshing difference in telling a fictional story. The tree would tell us what the tree “sees” around it, and so is able to give us a different point of view to wildlife in the savannah as the tree lives there, giving us what is to be a more accurate view of life there, unlike by a human character passing by for example.

Another interesting tool used in the book is how the tree almost tells a new story of a different species of animal that live there with each new chapter, whilst keeping continuity through the two main human characters’ stories of the development of their relationships. The author gives us an educational background of each species and how they live, integrated in the fictional story, allowing the readers to learn something new about a certain species, and allows us to discover new ones through the book.

The relationships between the characters, and the animals, are developed well and easy to follow. A relaxing read, and a good alternative to your usual summer read.

Reviews of this book will also be put up on:
Amazon.co.uk
Waterstones
Blackwells

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Richard Milburn is going back to Kenya this summer, and you can follow his travels through his blog: Karibuni Kenya