The White Rhino Hotel: A Novel
Bull ventures into historical fiction with his second book, although the subject matter is the same as his earlier nonfiction work, Safari (Viking, 1988). In addition to providing an interesting look at the nature of life in Kenya at the end of World War I, Bull's novel is a steamy adventure filled with lust, villains, heroes, and antiheroes. The plot focuses on an ensemble of colonists and natives as they struggle to survive in a Kenya opened up to British veterans in 1919. Most of the action centers around Anton Rider, a gypsy from England. The dwarf Olivio Fonseca Alavedo, however, is destined to be one of the most original characters in fiction, as he becomes the very definition of antihero by the end. Historical fiction can be washed up on the rocks of anachronism, but Rhino rings true, including the characterizations of people who lived 70 years ago. This should be an early entry on summer fun reading lists. Highly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with recreational reading sections.- Randall L. Schroeder, Augustana Coll. Lib., Rock Island, Ill.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.