Song from the Forest: My Life Among the Ba-Benjelle Pygmies

Rating:
Summary: As Far As It Goes
Review: As another reviewer mentioned, the first half of the book is an excellent account of the Ba-Benjelle Pygmies and their music. If you have been entranced by the music of Central Africa as the author and many people around the world have, this part of the book will feed your hunger for more information.

However, not only is the second half tediously devoted to a delusional one-way "love affair," but the author also reveals himself, unintentionally, to be the worst kind of corrupting influence. By buying the Pygmies cigarettes, English machetes, western clothing, coffee, radios, and liquor, he actively promotes the very destruction of their culture that he elsewhere decries. Only late in the book does he reveal that his integration into the Pygmy society is not so total as he would have you believe earlier on -- reserving mosquito nets and hot cocoa for himself, relying on the Pygmies to wait on him like royalty, bring him meals and built huts for him while he lays around contemplating the thatched roof. He seems to revel in the role of the "rich white patron" who can command the Pygmies to dance for him at will, but then is genuinely puzzled when his intended bride rebuffs his demeaning Western imperialism.

What's not said in the book is often more interesting that what was -- only after you finish it do you begin to see the true story behind the story.

Rating:
Summary: As Far As It Goes
Review: As another reviewer mentioned, the first half of the book is an excellent account of the Ba-Benjelle Pygmies and their music. If you have been entranced by the music of Central Africa as the author and many people around the world have, this part of the book will feed your hunger for more information.

However, not only is the second half tediously devoted to a delusional one-way "love affair," but the author also reveals himself, unintentionally, to be the worst kind of corrupting influence. By buying the Pygmies cigarettes, English machetes, western clothing, coffee, radios, and liquor, he actively promotes the very destruction of their culture that he elsewhere decries. Only late in the book does he reveal that his integration into the Pygmy society is not so total as he would have you believe earlier on -- reserving mosquito nets and hot cocoa for himself, relying on the Pygmies to wait on him like royalty, bring him meals and built huts for him while he lays around contemplating the thatched roof. He seems to revel in the role of the "rich white patron" who can command the Pygmies to dance for him at will, but then is genuinely puzzled when his intended bride rebuffs his demeaning Western imperialism.

What's not said in the book is often more interesting that what was -- only after you finish it do you begin to see the true story behind the story.

Rating:
Summary: Great music, dreadful love affair
Review: Begins with a passionate, well-written story about Sarno's move to Africa. Incredible descriptions of Pygmy music. To capture/convey the sound of that music is an achievment. But all the fine qualities of this book become irrelevant about a 1/4 of the way into Song From the Forest when Sarno is smitten by a Pygmy woman. The main focus of the next 3/4 of the book is ridiculous high-school boy-in-love nonsense and drivel: she smiled at me, she didn't smile at me, I think she cares, I don't think she cares. Who cares? Can't believe Houghton Mifflin published this crap.

Rating:
Summary: Too Much Information?
Review: If this had been a piece of fiction, the portrayal of a classic unreliable narrator would have been a masterpiece. One thing you can say for the author: he's astonishingly honest about every petty, self-aggrandizing, naive and delusional sensation that crosses his mind. It's worth pointing out as well that he's a very vivid writer, with a direct prose style that transports you to an Africa utterly real in mud and parasites.

The bit about the music was nice, but I found the descent of Luis Sarno from clueless idealist into clueless Kurtz-style nutcase utterly absorbing. A fascinating, painful, and occasionaly joyous study of the severest culture-clash imaginable, although wow, the 'love' story is cringe-inducing. I certainly enjoyed this book, though not for the reasons advertised!

Rating:
Summary: Too Much Information?
Review: Not so much a travelogue as a bizzare cross between "Heart of Darkness" and "Lolita".

One thing you can say for the author: he's astonishingly honest about every petty, self-aggrandizing, naive and delusional sensation that crosses his mind. If this had been a piece of fiction, the portrayal of a classic unreliable narrator would have been a masterpiece. I definitely give the guy credit for a vivid and direct writing style.

The bit about the music was nice, but I found the descent of Luis Sarno from clueless idealist into clueless Kurtz-style nutcase utterly absorbing. A fascinating and painful story of culture clash and the universality of human greed and weakness, with a cringe-making 'love' story that makes you feel awful for all concerned, howevermuch the author might moon about his passion for the poor kid. I certainly enjoyed this book, though not for the reasons advertised!