Clearly, this writer is well-traveled and an astoundingly good researcher. The amount of detail about the Papua New Guinea jungles made me feel like I was stomping through, right along with her. Her descriptions of malaria, leeches, and amoebic dysentery both amazed and repulsed me. It is evident that she's a travel writer with a love for dangerous and exotic locales; even the horrible depictions of some of the residents of these areas (The Congo, in particular) nonetheless display a deep love and affection for them. She immensely values other cultures, regardless of their irrational and superstitious ways. Salak explains the validity of their beliefs in such a way that I couldn't help thinking, "Oh. Well, if it works for them" (Had she mentioned anything about women's oppression or abuse within the tribe, I would have jumped all over that).
This novel had the feel of a female version of Conrad's Heart of Darkness: Mistah Lewis, he dead, indeed. However, unlike my exhausting experience with Conrad's book, The White Mary kept my interest (at least the current story). I didn't care for the Seb storyline, felt like he was a flat character, and ultimately thought Marika was a complete whore, but the jungle scenes made up for it.
I had a difficult time relating to Marika; she is unlike me in nearly every way. I never understood why she felt the way she did about risky trips to hazardous third-world countries. The author didn't offer an sufficient explanation Marika's motivations.
I did like the ending and her relationship with Tobo, her "humbug" guide; the growing connection with him in the book made it endearing to me. I ended up liking him best of all.
This novel had the feel of a female version of Conrad's Heart of Darkness: Mistah Lewis, he dead, indeed. However, unlike my exhausting experience with Conrad's book, The White Mary kept my interest (at least the current story). I didn't care for the Seb storyline, felt like he was a flat character, and ultimately thought Marika was a complete whore, but the jungle scenes made up for it.
I had a difficult time relating to Marika; she is unlike me in nearly every way. I never understood why she felt the way she did about risky trips to hazardous third-world countries. The author didn't offer an sufficient explanation Marika's motivations.
I did like the ending and her relationship with Tobo, her "humbug" guide; the growing connection with him in the book made it endearing to me. I ended up liking him best of all.
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