Review: " West with the Night" by Beryl Markham

Beryl Markham - what a fascinating and intriguing woman!!! Paula McClain’s latest novel, Circling the Sun is based on her life and was my inspiration to choose West with the Night, Beryl’s own personal memoir. Originally written in 1942, her story in her own words is as captivating as a novel. It is well written and thought provoking. She makes many astute observations about her life and Africa.

I found this very interesting to read. What was amazing to me was what important events that she included in her memoir and what she left out. The people and events that most people deem important did not appear to be her priority. The only drawback that I found was sometimes her writing got a little loquacious and hard to follow.

If your appetite was whetted by reading Ms. McClain’s latest novel, definitely read this book. It gives great insight to how Beryl Markham really thought and how she lived her life.