The “river of the Gods” of this book’s title is the mighty Nile, and its subtitle tells you more about the subject: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile. I’ve seen all three of these qualities in the first nine chapters of the book, an almost incredible account of the 19th-century British explorer Richard Burton and the other men who were competing to find the source of the “white Nile”—the branch of the river that is pale-colored due to the silt it carries. In order to enjoy this read, I often have to set aside my distaste for these men, who, no matter how genius and courageous, are also conceited, racist, overly competitive jerks. What I’m interested in is the geography of the Nile—the places it flows through and the people who live there. I know very little about this part of the world, which is why this title has been sitting on my TBR list. Always, I’d rather read about women accomplishing something unusual, but the only woman I’ve come across so far in River of the Gods is a simpering teenager who’s hopelessly in love with Burton. When he mansplained to her the book she’d been reading over and over since childhood, I wanted to shout to her to run the other way, but instead, she accepted his proposal of marriage, before he disappeared one night for three years without saying goodbye, leaving only a note with her sister. He’s an interesting character, that’s for sure, but I do hope I’m going to be hearing more, eventually, about what I consider to be the real protagonist: the Nile River itself.
What are you reading this week? Let us know in the comment section below!
This week I’m reading Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante. It’s originally in Italian. I love the voice of the narrator. Her husband leaves her and she’s so unhinged.
That sounds like a really cool read! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!