A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

by NicholasDrayson (Author)

Synopsis

Reserved, honourable Mr Malik. You wouldn't notice him in a Nairobi street - except, perhaps, to comment on his carefully sculpted comb over - but beneath his unprepossessing exterior lies a warm heart and a secret passion. Not even his friends at the Asadi Club know it, but Mr Malik is head-over-heels in love with the leader of the Tuesday morning bird walk of the East African Ornithological Society, Rose Mbikwa. While Mr Malik hesitantly plans how he will ask Rose to the annual Hunt Ball, flashy Harry Kahn arrives in town and makes it clear that he too has Rose in his sights.When Mr Malik blurts out his feelings at the Club a wager is set - whoever sees the most birds in a week will ask Rose to the ball. With boats, planes and guides to get him to the choicest bird-watching spots in Kenya, Harry Kahn's soon noting down everything from pearl-breasted swallows to spur-winged plovers. But, Mr Malik's not so easily beaten and with unorthodox methods and far-flung adventures of his own, he's determined to stay in the game.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 208
Edition: First Thus
Publisher: Viking
Published: 03 Jul 2008

ISBN 10: 0670917575
ISBN 13: 9780670917570

Media Reviews
[a] quietly beguiling new novel, A Guide to the Birds of East Africa...reads like transplanted Wodehouse. Christian Science Monitor enchanting...Readers will find themselves buying copies for all their birding friends. -Birding Business Nicholas Drayson's engaging new novel...[a] quiet, gently humorous tale. -National Geographic Traveler This book is a sheer delight for birders and nonbirders alike. Minneapolis Star-Tribune A lighthearted novel about birding and a wager to win the right to call a woman for a date. Kirkus Reviews While the reader is pulled along by the suspense of the contest, the glorious sights, sounds, and smells of Nairobi provide lovely rest stops along the way. Library Journal Starred A Guide to the Birds of East Africa will appeal to Alexander McCall Smith fans, but definitely stands on its own and will beguile any reader who appreciates sharp wit and gentle charm. -Shelf Awareness
Author Bio
Nicholas Drayson was born in England and has lived in Australia since 1982, where he studied zoology and a PhD in 19th century Australian natural history writing. He has worked as a journalist in the UK, Kenya and Australia, writing for publications such as the Daily Telegraph and Australian Geographic. From 1998 to 2001 he wrote for the National Museum of Australia. His first novel, Confessing a Murder, was published in 2002. He was recently the winner of the inaugural WILDCARE Tasmania Nature Writing Prize.