Review of 'Follow Me to Africa' by author Penny Haw

Review of 'Follow Me to Africa' by author Penny Haw

Release date: Feb 25th, 2025

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

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“Historical fiction inspired by the story of Mary Leakey, who carved her own path to become one of the world's most distinguished paleoanthropologists.”

REVIEW

This is a beautifully crafted and fascinating historical fiction story based on the life of Mary Leakey, one of the world’s most renowned paleoanthropologist. She led an unusual life and had very little formal education, yet was granted a number of honorary doctorates for her impressive field work. She had a sharp mind and eye for detail and had a gift of drawing the items she saw. She was employed to do some illustrations for archaeologist Louis Leakey for his book. But a romance developed between them. This was a problem as he was married with a child and pregnant wife. The scenes of encounter between these three were quite harrowing, as one would expect, but Penny Haw handles it all with skill and understanding. Eventually Mary joins Louis on his next adventures to the beautiful Tanzania in East Africa where her second love blossoms. Olduvai Gorge captures her heart, lock stock and barrel.

Mary’s love of archaeology was inspired by her father’s interest in it. On top of this, she had a keen curiosity and this drove her to learn all she could about the past. When questioned by seventeen year old Grace, about its importance, she says that she believes it is impossible to know everything but it doesn’t mean she does not want to try. And then says this is why the career she has chosen is perfect for her as her curiosity will never be satisfied. There is quite a profound nugget of truth in this revelation. For it means she will never get bored with her profession. It will never lose its sparkle as there will always be potential endless discoveries. Thus, she will be part of a never ending story.

Although this novel is inspired by Mary Leakey’s life, there is more. The author created two timelines with Mary in both. One with her younger self in the 1930s and the other in 1983 when she is seventy. In the 1983 thread, fictional character Grace (along with her parents) is cleverly added to the narrative to help tell Mary’s story. There are a few parallels between Grace and a younger Mary. Grace is a teenager who has lost her mother and is now on a dig with her once estranged father in Tanzania working under Mary. It is here Grace’s common interests with the older woman, shared losses and vibrant passion for animals becomes visible. A hand raised female cheetah turned out into the wild becomes injured. Hungry and thirsty, she finds her way to their site. Together Grace and Mary work to save Lisa (the cat). (The cat’s name has an interesting background but I will leave that for readers to discover.) During this time, Grace learns a lot about herself, her abilities and the direction she wants to take in her life. Mary is often lending valuable advice to her when asked. Much of her input had me nodding in agreement because it is wisdom that only experience and years can bring. There is a secret too that unfolds at the end and reconnection comes with its revelation—particularly for Grace and her father. There is a lot of character development, healing and realising of dreams. And despite the challenges, there is a positive outcome.

This is a powerful and moving story that inspired and warmed my heart. I love that it is based on a woman of significance who made quite a number of contributions to the science world, against the odds. The setting is critical in this novel and one that inspires awe. Penny Haw has described Tanzania’s great landscape beauty, its wild but alluring dangers and its captivating animals. I learned a great deal reading the novel and felt as though I had visited this place and met these people. Follow Me to Africa is a true charmer— an unputdownable read. I did not want to disembark this fascinating journey that held me captive from the first page to the last. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for a review copy.