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Title: The African Queen by C. S. Forester, Cecil Scott Forester ISBN: 0-89244-065-1 Publisher: Queens House Pub. Date: 01 June, 1977 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.22 (9 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Forester is a great practical philosopher
Comment: The lady has the will, and the cockney has the ingenuity. Between the two of them they conquer incredible obstacles.
Their great goal is to strike a blow for England in the war against Imperial Germany, but just as we might suppose, the efforts of two "very ordinary people" don't change the course of history. Nevertheless, it's an inspiring tale of courage, intelligence, and mutual respect. Each makes the other a better person.
Rating: 5
Summary: This book takes you there.
Comment: Seen the movie, now read the book. This is an adventure tale about Charlie Allnutt and Rose Sayer set in WWI and was written by C.S.Forester in 1935. The book has been over shadowed by the 1951 film which starred Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The book stands on its own as a classic and centres on the relationship between the unlikely match of Charlie and Rose with the war as a backdrop. Charlie is a gin loving engineer and Rose is a religious missionary who manages to convince Charlie to take his rickety old boat, The African Queen, down a treacherous river to destroy a German gunboat patrolling the lake at the end of the river. The inter play between the two characters is developed beautifully as they influence each other to form a formidable team. Forester may have meant it to be many things, but to me it is a great love story. Two people who shine in the presence of each other. The novel is relatively short and keeps the suspense and sense of adventure high throughout. The ending of the book turns out to be more realistic and poignant than the film and just by reading it you will appreciate the brilliance of Bogart and Hepburn even more.
Rating: 3
Summary: Romantic Adventure Filled with Irony about Civilization
Comment: I find it impossible to discuss this book without referring to the 1951 movie. The first 80 percent of the movie and the book are mostly similar. The endings are quite different. I slightly prefer the movie's improbable ending, although the endings of both have serious flaws.
Reading the first 80 percent of the book is a joy after having seen the movie. If you are like me, you will see and hear the movie in your mind as you read the book.
In the first 80 percent of the book, you will find more in the book than in the movie. C.S. Forester is able to tackle interesting themes in the book that were too delicate for Hollywood. Also, he employs an amazing mastery of the technical details in describing the African Queen's voyage down the Ulanga and Bora rivers into Lake Victoria. You will almost feel like you are reading science fiction from the time of H.G. Wells, as Allnut and Rose keep making something out of nothing.
To me, the best part of the book is that the contrasts between the "civilized" conventions and the "natural" instincts are drawn in extreme and fine detail. It will make you re-examine how you think about what is the right thing to do in your own life, which is what good literature should do.
To me, the weakness of the book is that the attitudes that The African Queen challenges are very far removed from our experience today. What was very scathing then now seems quaint. Somehow, the outrage behind the story is diffused into a dreamy period piece. Are there many women now of 33 who are so completely dominated by their brothers that they do not lead their own lives? Would many people today be inflamed by love of country to want to strike a personally fatal blow against the oppressor against all odds? Does the arrogance of colonialism seem believable, or just a silly notion to caricature?
Ultimately, Rose's instant rise from docile creature to Wonder Woman does seem to strain credibility. It's inspiring fun, though, like any book about brave heroines who are undaunted by the odds and convention.
After you read this book, think about where your assumptions about what you should be doing have not been re-examined by you in a while. What are you doing because someone else tells you it is a good idea? What should you be doing because you think it is a good idea?
Take the initiative to do the right thing with full speed ahead!
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Title: Hornblower During the Crisis (Hornblower Saga) by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289442 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 18 April, 1990 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (Hornblower Saga) by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289124 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 30 September, 1984 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Hornblower and the Atropos (Hornblower Saga) by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289299 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 30 April, 1985 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Flying Colours (Hornblower Saga) by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316289396 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 05 April, 1989 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Hornblower and the Hotspur (Hornblower Series) by C.S. Forester ISBN: 0316290467 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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