Title: The Watermelon King
Author: Daniel Royse
Genre: Literary Fiction
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
After being laid off from his job at a prestigious consulting firm, Dean decides to embark on a journey across east Africa with his younger brother. Unknowingly, the two travel into bandit territory through Northern Kenya where a medical emergency forces them to choose between their safety and their health.
Inspired by true events, The Watermelon King follows the journey of two brothers as they backpack across one of East Africa’s most inhospitable regions. As they endure endless days of difficult travel, a series of short stories written by their father begins to uncover some of their deepest motivations and brings to light their connection to the past. Along the way they begin to understand the beauty and frustration of life in Africa.
In The Watermelon King, Dean and his younger brother embark on a journey across Africa. But when they enter Northern Kenya, they venture into badit territory, and a medical emergency forces them to choose between dafety and health. What I thought was most intriguing about the book was that it was inspired by true events. It shows the beauty of Africa, and the struggles of the continent, as well as the beauty of travel and the dangerous part of it. As a reader, you go along on the journey, and you live through it alongside the characters.
The connection to the past works well. For me, having never been in Africa before, the novel did a great job describing the settings – I could actually picture being there, and the book certainly inspired me to go there some day.
The writing was excellent and pulled me right into the story. If you love travel, I would recommend this book.
What an intriguing unexpected title based in Africa. I didn’t expect it to be based on true event either. Can I just say how I like that cover too? I mean watermelons!