A big hand for the spirits
Jennifer Stern
Naledi
Review: Karen Watkins
Jennifer Stern’s debut novel is a genre-blending story that explores the interplay between science, religion and magic.
Weaving in her extensive travel experiences and background as a diving instructor in Malawi, the story is about an eclectic bunch of characters who embark on an overland adventure from Victoria Falls to Zambia and Malawi while also facing personal struggles.
The plot is also a psychological exploration and cultural travelogue. An ecologist on the run from a hitman, a physicist grappling with the tension between his scientific training and traditional African beliefs, an anaesthetist trapped in a failing marriage, a physically powerful yet emotionally fragile river guide and a recovering drug addict whose grip on reality is tenuous at most.
The characters’ interactions are marked by sharp dialogue that spans topics as varied as quantum physics, African mythology and hallucinatory drug experiences.
Stern’s sharp observations and evocative descriptions made me feel like I was rafting the wild waters of the Zambezi or watching the Gule Wamkulu spirit dancers which was her inspiration for this book.
She cleverly blends the mundane with the mystical, all set against a backdrop of southern Africa’s landscapes and cultural heritage. The themes of survival, connection and the search for truth are subtly interwoven, creating a story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is exciting.
Recipes are included in the back of the book as well as fascinating author’s notes of historical and cultural significance.
This may not be my genre but will appeal to those interested in thought-provoking novels based on travel and science.
Stern, who lives in Plumstead, is a multi-published non-fiction writer mostly about travel, food, culture and coffee. Her previous non-fiction work includes Southern Africa on a Budget and Farmstall to Farmstall.