African Nights: True Stories from the Author of I Dreamed of Africa

Africa evokes a deep sense of mystery. It is a place that retains what most of the world has lost: space, roots, traditions, awesome beauty, true wilderness, rare animals, and extraordinary people. In this wonderful and haunting collection of stories, Kuki Gallmann writes of her life in Africa, where every day brings challenge and adventure. African Nights is a treasury of memories, in which fascinating people and places are brought to life. The healing powers Africa can have on those who embrace the land as a place of mystery, superstition, danger, and beauty.

I also fail to understand the reasoning behind the anti-colonial reviews written mainly by a few North Americans. I believe we are the last people who should be allowed to speak of colonialism. True, Kuki may be just another white colonial in Africa, a land that has had its fair share of problems in that department. But, she has also done more to bring focus to that country and make the stories of this vast and beautiful continent/country known to the rest of us. Who cares where she has garnered her money from? She obviously comes from a quite wealthy family and she runs a major organization and has worked dutifully on her FARM (yes, it is a farm, remember that. They state explicitly that they have sold livestock from very early on) for close to 30 years.

Alas, not everyone can see the simplistic beauty in her words. A true poet does not have to conform to the normal style of writing. (don't forget - the last few "tales" in "African Nights" were taken directly from her diary - even if words are misspelled, perhaps the misspellings were left in for authenticity's sake). Kuki is an incredibly descriptive writer and I find myself yearning to read more. As I stated in my review for "I Dreamed of Africa," I have been fortunate enough to have brief contact with Mrs. Gallmann herself and found her as truthful as she is in her storytelling.

So, ignore the negative reviews and take a step into this incredible woman's life.


African Nights   March 24, 2000
Colleen Powers
19 out of 22 found this review helpful

This collection of short stories is exquisitely written, accurately and magically depicting the sounds, smells, sights, and feelings of life and all its struggles and joys in Kenya. Her stories and descriptions brought me back physically, emotionally, and spiritually to the land and people I love. I savoured each chapter and bought my ticket back to Kenya mid-book. I tell my friends if they want to understand why I am drawn to Kenya, to read this book. It is profound and delightful!


An Attentiveness That's Admirable   July 11, 2005
Zihan Kassam (Toronto, Canada)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

How she does it I don't know. She's incredible, seeing beauty in everything, painting vivid pictures for all to delight in. Presuming it to be only remnants from her perfect book I Dreamed of Africa, I doubted the caliber of this work. I was skeptical but willing - but Gallmann has proved that everything she touches illuminates in melodious detail. Whether it is the amplification of a salmon pink sky, silhouettes at dusk, a tree that appears imbued with knowledge, or a night sky saturated with the sounds that are Africa, Kuki's awareness and ensuing stories are exceptional - encroaching inspirational. There is something in every story that appeals to heart and soul. I almost wanted to frame each story separately as if it were a sapphire or quartz rarity, explicit, precious and real. I'm so impressed by her writing and the lighted manner in which she takes in Africa. It's wonderful.

I liked this book.


Waiting for kuki's next book   February 24, 2001
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Well At first when I was looking up her book "African Nights" all I saw was bad reviews ,well I bought it anyways and was hoping it would be just has good has "I Dreamed of Africa" and all I have to say is thank god I did not go by what other people said I Love the book "African Nights" and I love her "I Dreamed of Africa" so all i have to say is i hope she comes out with another book becuase i am waiting.