Book Jacket

 

rank 3848
word count 24247
date submitted 09.04.2009
date updated 18.03.2010
genres: Non-fiction, Biography, Harper True...
classification: universal
incomplete

Blue-eyed in Luhya-land

Gunilla Fagerholm

Swedish middle-aged couple exchanges comfortable life in Sweden for a clay-hut on a maize field in Western Kenya. Corruption. Hardship. Joy. Hostility.

 

A rather normal middle class Swedish couple in their fifties left their suburban life in Sweden in search of something new – a contrast to the secure Swedish Welfare State. They sold their small house, packed their belongings in a shipping container, and left Sweden behind. They went to Africa.

This book tells the true story of how they, during five years, lived as the only Europeans in a small village at the edge of one of the last rainforests in Kenya. They moved from a stressed life to a simple one, a clay hut on a maize field in Western Kenya, without any of the modern conveniences. On their own, they built a small rainforest hotel as the start of a new life. But life turned out difficult; corruption, tribal traditions and witchcraft hindered the blue-eyed couple in their efforts to help the suffering villagers.

The story reflects this turbulent time with a lot of positive and negative experiences, arising in the meeting of contrasting cultures and traditions; Swedish meeting tribal Kenyan.

 
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tags

africa, corruption, gold, kenya, luhya, massacre, mercury, rainforest, settler, witchcraft

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262 comments

 

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nillan wrote 1031 days ago
Lizilev wrote 527 days ago

I am reading this with great interest having lived in both Kenya and Sweden, but sadly have got a glitch when no more chapters are available. I'll try again later, but in the meantime am happy to back you.
Lizilev

name falied moderation wrote 555 days ago

Dear Gunilla
this book cover is so beautiful
the long pitch intrigued me so much i just had to read on......Yes i have commented and backed your book, however cannot find the backing so will do it again, because it is WORTH IT and just to make sure
the VERY best of luck
If you have not already , please comment on my book and BACK it if not that is OK also
Denise
The Letter

Ransom Heart wrote 581 days ago

A set of complications that not even brown contact lenses could have solved for the blue-eyed people. Backed. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

mvw888 wrote 593 days ago

A wonderfully written book with a bit of adventure at its heart. Your characters are instantly recognizable and sympathetic and you begin right in the action. Really enjoyed this; happy to back it.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

A Knight wrote 648 days ago

Oh, from the start we are captured by this, carried along by the danger and tension that you control with your prose, and then we are hooked with more questions to keep us turning hte pages. Stunning work, that's truly enjoyable right from the start. You've create something in which a reader can immerse themselves completely.

Backed.
Abi xxx

tlst wrote 652 days ago

An engaging pitch and smooth writing style. The opening is certain to pull readers in. Backed. Tania, This Last Summer

SusieGulick wrote 679 days ago

Dear Gunilla, Since I've already "commented" & "backed" your book, could you do the same for me & back & comment on my 2 books? Today is the last day of the countdown, so I'm frantically trying to advance my book. I am now "commenting" again & putting your book on my "watchlist" so your book will advance even father.
Thanks, Susie :)

lookinup wrote 685 days ago

I read the first two chapters and yes, it's rather exciting. Changing lifestyles only to find out after a few short years that the situation wasn't stable through no fault of your own. Wishing you the best on a well-written fast-paced story

Catherine (The Golden Thread)

carlashmore wrote 687 days ago

This is an absoltely fascinating story. And one that deserves to be published. For one thing your writing style is exceptional, very nicely paced for the reader and you are telling a wonderful true story. I don't know why, but I never knew they had terraced houses in Sweden. There is certainly a market for this and I wish you all the best with it. Carl. The Time Hunters.

Wilma1 wrote 687 days ago

A brave thing to uproot from comfort and safety and then finding yourself in such precarious position. I read the first three chapters and enjoyed them both. I hope this book does well for you and may work as a lesson to others who think that this could be an enjoyable life change.


Sue Mackender
Knowing Liam Riley

SusieGulick wrote 687 days ago

Dear Gunilla, I like that your book is telling about other countries. :) The dialogue & short sentences make your book flow freely. Since I already backed your book, I'll put you on my watchlist, so maybe that will help your book to advance. I hope you'll take a moment to back my 2 books: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. My other book is the unedited version: Tell Me True Love Stories of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not Thanks, Susie :)

J.Adams wrote 688 days ago

Well-written and interesting. Backed on two chapters, and wishing you all the best with this.
Judy Adams
The Existence Game

lionel25 wrote 689 days ago

Ms Fagerholm, your prologue and first chapter read smoothly, almost like a good piece of fiction. Nothing to nitpick there.

Happy to back your work.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Burgio wrote 689 days ago

What an interesting book. First, it was courageous to pick up and move to such a different land and culture. Second, it's courageous to write about it and explain why a simple dream of helping others went so wrong - all because of eye color. A good read. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

SusieGulick wrote 694 days ago

Dear Gunilla, Thanks for sharing your life. Hope you'll read mine, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," & the unedited version, "Tell Me True Love Stories of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. Thanks, Susie :)

snickerdoddle wrote 699 days ago

I just finished chapter 2. Very intriguing. Wonderful read so far. Backed with pleasure
Karen

nillan wrote 699 days ago

Anjuli,
Thank you very very much for taking your time to read as far as Chapter 15 and for giving me that extensive comment. I was so happy that you seem to care.
In your first paragraph in the comment you say that the fact that we are Swedish could limit the number of readers and that us being Swedes is actually not so important in the story. You are absolutely right in this. My intention was actually to show the contrast between the western world and Africa, not between Kenya and Sweden, not necessarily a bad contrast but a contrast that, because of different cultures and different levels of education and development makes it difficult to understand one another. It is also an attempt to warn people of being too naive, to tell people that going out there to "save the world" is not an easy task.
I don't know how I could change the book to take away the "Swedishness" in it. I think we are regarded as somewhat more stupid than other nationalities in all our talk about integrity, democracy, human rights etc. I have a feeling that people of many other nationalities might have coped better with the situation just because of less talk about those issues. But - I am not saying now that I don't appreciate these values because I do.
When I submitted my story to Harper True I got the following answer: While your story is very interesting, unfortunately we wouldn't be able to publish it over here as it doesn't concern the UK in any way so our readers would find it more difficult to connect with you as the writer..."
Do you have any suggestions, Anjuli?
Your second paragraph is about the presentation. I don't know if you have read the White Masai. In that book there are photos. Maybe that would be better, I don't know. For the moment I am hesitating to change too much since I am rather fed up with my story. On my website we have both a photo gallery and some videos from our years in Kenya and I try to direct people to that site as much as I can. We are still working to add more of those. If you haven't yet seen them, visit www.medialib.se.
I have changed to "we talked endlessly".
Thanks again ever so much, Anjuli, for taking your time. If you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Love
Nillan

Anjuli wrote 700 days ago

Hi Nillan,

This is a good story well told. But the story doesn't punch. I think that there are at least two reasons for this. The first is the concept. The heart of the concept is that you are two Swedes who've come up against the rough realities of Kenya. This concept could be further developed. All else being equal, had you been Canadians or Germans or Swiss, you would have experienced exactly the same things. You have a story not because you are Swedes, but because you are Westerners, and, as the title of your book admits, naive Westerners. Your story is one about relations between two worlds, not about relations between the peoples of two countries. By making your being Swedish the key fact of your book, you've placed a powerful restriction on the meaning of your own great world story. This is a story for the world that reads like its a story for Swedes. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm only suggesting that this story is much more universal and powerful than it seems you've allowed it to be.

The second reason I think your story doesn't punch is its presentation. Great as your writing is, the written word has a way of flattening a story such as this. I think that the power of a story like this comes out more clearly when presented in a mélange of photographs, type (different fonts), sketches, handwriting, bus tickets, letters demanding bribes, maps, receipts, passport stamps, permits, diary entries, etc. Doing this will probably mean cutting out a lot of stuff, but the concept suggested above will probably do that anyway.

I really like the cover, especially the colours. I've only just spotted the man's face in the sky. Was that intentional? There are many sentences that can be tightened up, e.g., "We talked endlessly with one another." How about simply, "We talked endlessly?"

Because I'm so far behind with reading and giving comments, I've only read as far as Chapter 15. I apologise if I've done you an injustice. I've backed your book for the last few weeks.

Many more should read your story.

All the best,

Anjuli

Becca wrote 709 days ago

One of the things you need to look out for are waste words, such as "that". If you can delete it from the sentence without losing clarity, you should do so.
http://www.inkalicious.com/cheatsheets.php#editing

Watch out for overwriting, such as "maybe others had also done so." you can cut "done so" from that sentence.

I'm not getting a strong sense of voice her. I think you have a good story with a lot of potential, but the writing needs to be tightened up and polished a bit.

xBeccaX
The First Phoenix

vincent johnson wrote 712 days ago

GUNILLA FAGERHOLM

BLUE-EYED IN LUYLA-LAND
Terrific stuff. I was forced to read the whole book. A great story. Not only that, I like the author. You get that?
That is most important in all writing. You can't fake it. The writer tells about the writer in every word.
Vince Johnson
Dogtown USA

missyfleming_22 wrote 713 days ago

I love Africa and have always wondered what it would be like to live there and this was a great look into what it is like. I felt like I was travelling right there with you. It's a unique look into the culture and lives of the people you encountered. I kept forgetting it was non-fiction though, you put a lot of emotion and drama into it, which is by no means a bad thing. I really enjoyed this.

Missy
Mark of Eternity

Jim Darcy wrote 715 days ago

Having moved to Africa myself I could relate to lots of this! You write well, perhaps a little travelogue at times but that's a good thing, it helps to evoke the place in people's minds. Good luck with this, Jim D Serpent's Blood

Smurphgirl wrote 716 days ago

Excellent pitch that made me want to read the book. Great start and excellent writing. Knowing this is true adds a strong air of tension. I definitely back this. I am placing it on my WL and plan to read more.

Sasha/Smurhgirl
A Crack in the mirror

MarkRTrost wrote 717 days ago

This is very enjoyable. And that it's true just makes it more fascinating. I'd buy this book.

Mark R. Trost
"Post Marked."

Motherbored wrote 717 days ago

The story is great, but for me it is more of a travelogue. Your descriptions of life in Africa are fascinating, and after reading about the preparation of meat in Chapter 29, I am tempted to try it for myself. Perhaps because you are telling a true story there is much conviction in your words.
Really fascinating!

M.

Jon Doe wrote 718 days ago

original and well written. lots of little hooks to keep you reading
backed

vanessa musson wrote 718 days ago

What an interesting story - all the more so for being true! Many of us dream of emigrating, so books like yours can show the less adventurous amongst us what it is really like to up sticks and settle in another culture, which is different in so many ways, not least the weather! In this case, you picked somewhere that offered more adventure than you bargained for, which makes for a gripping read! This would make a good flim - there are echoes here of "Blood Diamond"...

Love the cover, by the way.

Backed.
Vanessa
Banana In The Briefcase

vincent johnson wrote 721 days ago

Excellent foreshadowing, bad omens for future events and even the safety of the two Europeans who are now seen as intruders.
Village elders are plotting against the Swedish pioneers with plans to seize their property, even if they must be murdered. Worse yet, the plans are seen as logical to the natives. There are no police to protect the foreigners. I am getting very worried, so deeply am I now involved in the story.
Vince

vincent johnson wrote 721 days ago

Here I am starting chapter seven and I don't know why i"m continuing. There are no police chases and car crashes, no murders (yet), no bank holdups. But I don't need a reason to continue. All these everyday problems and happenings keep drawing me on. Oh, I know what it is: I am involved in the story, as if I were right there with the two pilgrims and Rufus.
Vince Johnson
DOGTOWN USA

vincent johnson wrote 722 days ago

Wonderful writing. Please somehow make sure your readers understand that this first section is prologue.
I missed the "Prologue" heading upon first reading it and became thoroughly confused as to the timing when I read Chapter 1.
Luckily I went back and re-read the Prologue and finally understood.
I like this story so far. I like the narrator.
Vince Johnson
DOGTOWN USA

Anna Pescardot wrote 722 days ago

I like this. It is very descriptive and it details the big step you have taken when you emigrated. You describe the differences between Sweden and Africa very well and the story flows nicely. Happy to back.

Best Wishes

Anna

MKEthridge wrote 722 days ago

I love that you have spun a tale of intrigue and suspense out of a true story. Cheerfully backed.

petrifiedtank wrote 722 days ago

hi - i read your bio, that this has been translated...ocassionally it lapses, and some usage seems out of sync.

i may be wrong, though.

a little disclaimer - please don't feel obliged to return my read, because i only read the pitch and the first chapter. it's not my sort of thing, which isn't a problem with your book. it's a true story, which, again, i don't generally read.

ha...i'm rubbish at this, sorry.

ok, as to what i read - it's shaping up to be a good story. the elements are there, but i'm not the best person to read a true-life account.

i'm sorry that's so rubbish. please let me know if you want me to delete, but i'm happy to back you. so i'm going to do that and stop rambling. bye!

Paige Pendleton wrote 724 days ago

The prologue is not at all what I was expecting when I read the pitch - wow. Great suspense and intrigue. Quite well written, too, as is what follows. I'll be reading on, but backed. Well done.

olga wrote 724 days ago

Hi

I was immediately drawn into this world of mystery and suspense. Tightly written prose. I liked to dog which added another dimension to your story. Gold? I never knew it was to be found in Kenya. I passed through there on the way to the Serengetti. I've read 3 chapter and found no problems.
Well done.
Shelved.
A return read and comment would be appreciated.
Cheers Olga

kaleb wrote 725 days ago

I love the romance of culture clash being deconstructed like this, to be replaced by something more deeply stirring. This is beautifully told, with a powerful dis/re-orientation feel. (I wonder if this is precisely the kind of book that 'longstone' books are publishing... they may be worth approaching with this.) It's good stuff, and certainly deserves to be published. Brilliant. SImon

BDNelson wrote 725 days ago

Very well written and enjoyable. I've read the first four chapters so far. Best wishes.

John Wickey wrote 726 days ago

Nothing like a true story to make for a riveting read. I also like the fact that real life intrudes on the idyllic vision many have of life among the primitive tribes.

John Wickey
Future's End

Pia wrote 726 days ago

Gunilla,

Blue-eyed in Luhya-land - steppping into the unknown takes daring. Sounds like you had very intense years in Kenya. The expectations of contrasting tradition and the misunderstandings make interesting reading. You could make the story flow more by simplifying sentences. Maybe find an angel to show you all the tricks of good editing by working with you through just one chapter. The tricks are really easy to pick up, then you can apply the polishing to the rest of your text. The story is well worth it. Best success.

Pia (Course of Mirrors)

annaskitchenfr wrote 727 days ago

Fascinating reading. Did you ever go to Molo on your way to Kakamaga? I lived there and went to school from 1958 until Independence 1963. Still reading but have to back this.

Anna

Ben Zaaiman wrote 728 days ago

I like this memoir. It starts well, and is bound to explore some interesting places. Backed and good luck! One small suggestion, in para 1, how about "I saw the receptionist [signalling] us."

Esrevinu wrote 729 days ago

I liked this story from the very beginning
The voice is very appealing and the writing is good
The characters are well constructed and courageous
I wish the you best
Scott
The Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks

Manolya wrote 729 days ago

Wow, I can only imagine how you must have felt to have left Sweden and gone to Africa- a country so very different from life in Sweden- what an adventure! You bring the reader in close to all that your experience-
Backed with pleasure!

All the best,
Manolya- Love in No-Man's Land

Emoo wrote 730 days ago

I really enjoyed this. I hope it finds the sort of success "The White Masai" and similar titles has.

Will shelve.

Hsiau Hsia Moo

(The Monarch Butterfly)

Jed Oliver wrote 731 days ago

Great story, wonderfully told! I wish you the very best with it. Backed. Kind regards, Jedward (Knut)

Foretuneight wrote 732 days ago

Binky, thank you for backing my book. Do not leave Sweden - it is a wonderful place, good people, good humour and good food, I wish i could visit. It is too late to start you book tonight but I will be back. Thank you for sharing. You are a lovely person.
ps. If you leave Sweden you will never get good Fishka pudden anywhere else.

KevRogers wrote 734 days ago

Not my usuaul read - I'm so glad I dropped by and looked - wonderful story with great narration and super characters.

Backed

Kev

gerry01 wrote 735 days ago

Hi Nillan, I looked at the first chapter and although well written, isn't really my thing. I'm sure that you will do well as there are a lot of people who like this kind of story. No offence to you. Hope you can still look at mine, although you might not like what I write.

gerry01 wrote 735 days ago

Hi Nillan, I looked at the first chapter and although well written, isn't really my thing. I'm sure that you will do well as there are a lot of people who like this kind of story. No offence to you. Hope you can still look at mine, although you might not like what I write.