In a land far from anywhere I understand comes stories from people whose main characteristic is perseverance in the face of adversity. They have a steely underpinning that is softened only by their love of the land and the myriad creatures who roam it day and night. This latest tale from Bookey Peek, Beyond the Wild Wood - is like a walk through that harsh, terrible and beautiful landscape. The rocky outcrops - not only the physical stone hills which are the name sake of the Peek's property in Zimbabwe - but also the rocky outcrops of emotion and circumstance in a troubled land.
Badger, the wonderful, funny and resilient young orphaned badger who was the main character in Ms Peek's previous book, Wild Honey, is once again the main delightful narrative through these stories. More like a series of digressions, a meander through the land itself, what comes along, what memories are raised, what happened here both present and past. It is engaging, funny in places, but more - it takes the reader through a landscape of culture, local tradition, people, wildlife, tenacity and love .
If you love Africa, care for her wildlife, wonder at her depth, richness and complexity you will enjoy Ms Peek's third outing from Stone Hills. Beyond the Wild Wood is a window into another world.
Read her other books too...
All the Way Home: Stories from an African Wildlife Sanctuary: http://www.amazon.com/All-Way-Home-Wildlife-Sanctuary/dp/1921037199/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325293025&sr=1-3
Wild Honey: More Stories from an African Wildlife Sanctuary: http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Honey-Bookey-Peek/dp/1906251207