Play Book Tag discussion

One of my motivations to pick up the next Chris Bohjalian novel is his ability not to repeat the same story format twice. He has the uncanny ability to tell a good story in any of several genres, whether that is historical fiction, e.g. The Sandcastle Girls, psychological suspense, e.g., The Sleepwalker, or horror, e.g., The Night Strangers. That being said, I found this novel not to be as interesting as others I have read.

This historical fiction is a blend of suspense, intrigue, and a rich character study set against the stunning backdrop of Tanzania's Serengeti. The author skillfully crafts a narrative with themes of friendship, survival, human nature, and emotional depth.

The story centers around a famous actress and her close friends who embark on a luxurious safari in 1964. Although this excursion was initially an escape from the spotlight, it soon turns into a fight for survival when the group is ambushed by a gang of armed men. The novel’s pampered primary characters suddenly find themselves thrust into a battle against the kidnappers who threaten their lives as well as coping with the harsh and unforgiving wilderness itself.

Bohjalian’s writing is evocative and immersive, capturing the beauty and danger of the African savannas with hia vivid and accurate descriptions. His portrayal of the safari experience, from the majestic animals to the vastness of the land, brings the setting to life. Some reviewers referred to this novel as a page turner. Contrairly, if found the plot plodding at times and, as I stated earlier, not one of my favorite Bohjalian works.

@John - you have the wrong title - you want The Lioness.

BooknBlues and I read it just now as a buddy read. We liked it a bit more than you did but it was also the first Bohjalian fiction either of us had read. Another PBT member found it just average - Amy I think - when she read it a couple years ago but she's read more of his books.

It definitely fit thriller! BnB and I were completely pulled in.

Theresa wrote: "@John - you have the wrong title - you want The Lioness.

BooknBlues and I read it just now as a buddy read. We liked it a bit more than you did but it was also the first Bohjalian..."

Thanks for commenting, Theresa. I popped into the thread to see if I could figure out why I wasn't finding the book to shelve it!