Kilimanjaro, by Mike Resnick

[Omphalos]

I have already reviewed some of Mike Resnick's African fiction, including his magnificent fix-up, Kirinyaga. That work told the tale of Kikuyu utopia (the Kikuyu being a tribe from Kenyan Africa) in space on a planetoid built and terraformed by a UN-style agency called the Eutopia Worlds Project. Kirinyaga, the Kikuyu word for what most non-Africans know as Mount Kilimanjaro, was largely a failure. It was envisioned as a traditional Kikuyu homeland, where descendents of the that tribe could live in accordance with ancient social rules and free from technology. The problem was that Koriba, the mundumugu, or "witch-doctor," tried to control not only the environment, but the minds of the colonists as well. Koriba made many mistakes during his tenure, and eventually exiled himself back to Earth, after immense pressure from the Eutopian Worlds Council, while Kirinyaga went on to succeed without him. This story, Kilimanjaro is set approximately 112 years later, in 2234. Another African tribe from Kenya, the Maasai, have petitioned for and been awarded an Eutopian World of their own. Forearmed with a deep understanding of Koriba's mistakes, the leaders, including a tribe of elders, an attorney, and a historian, named David ole Saitoti ("ole" meaning "son of,") have set out to create a real utopia for their people...Please click here, or on the book cover above, to be taken to the complete review..

 

[Connavar]

I did read Kirinyaga short story in Years best SF 20 years special. It was a short story that impressed me alot. Also the quest of Koriba was very interesting,romantic to me no matter even if it was an utopia destined to fail. Since I'm from an African country and a culture that has been destroyed by decades of Civil War.

Also found it interesting seeing how well Resnick wrote thought-provoking stories on African issues in SF setting.

I hope this book and Kirinyaga novel version is not weaker than the short stories. I have decided to buy them.

 

[Omphalos]

Subterranean Press » Fiction: Kilimanjaro by Mike Resnick

Here you go, Connavar. Save your money. THough as I just said recently, I do love me them Subterranean editions!

 

[Parson]

I'm confused. Does the Subterranean press regularly give out author's work free of charge? What's the catch here?

 

[iansales]

No catch. Many publishers are catching onto the concept of giving away fiction, as it usually improves sales. Tor have been doing it for over a year, Orbit started doing it this year, and many of the small presses have been doing it for a while.

 

[Connavar]

Subterranean Press » Fiction: Kilimanjaro by Mike Resnick

Here you go, Connavar. Save your money. THough as I just said recently, I do love me them Subterranean editions!

I cant read stories online, i will buy the cheap paperback versions although 17 dollars for Kirinyaga is unsually expensive for a paperback.

 

[Omphalos]

I hate doing that too, so I cut and pasted it into a word doc and printed it out. Works well enough for me.

 

[Connavar]

Heh i tried the same with sample pages before printing it out, trying to trick my eyes,reading comfort. It felt like reading a school paper or some new info from work.