Land of Second Chances: The Impossible Rise of Rwanda's Cycling Team (Tim Lewis)

Tim Lewis
Land of Second Chances: The Impossible Rise of Rwanda's Cycling Team

The rise of cycling in Rwanda following the awful years of genocide. Very readable and fascinating but probably more so if a cyclist. I'm sure that there are much better books relating the aftermath of the civil war both factual and fiction. Starts with the attempted redemption, or escape, of an American in setting up a Rwandan cycling team but as the story goes on turns into how much is due to the drive of the Rwandan cyclists themselves. It unravels a bit at the end somewhat especially as the special efforts in creating the Rwandan team seem to be happening all over Africa so they are not really so far ahead as neighbouring countries with similar challenges. To be fair to the author this is covered and it is billed as about Rwanda so not really a criticism. Just makes you want to read more around the subject which I guess is a positive from a factual book. What seems to be extraordinary is in face commonplace and the heroes are mainly not so but just trying to do their best under extremely difficult circumstances. One criticism is the sweeping generalisations about an entire nation (if it can be called that), if not a continent, but I guess that is part of building up a picture to explain events. I'm sure many authors explain events in the UK referencing our addiction to queueing and huffing under our breath at those who push into lines. Back to the book. Despite a certain whiff of condescension which it's not obvious if from the author or his relaying of this from others the book is a very interesting read and African riders are certainly breaking through into elite cycling. The fact it's taken so long is astonishing on the one hand but there again the challenges detailed in the book document why there are not the 100s of thousands of young keen road cyclists that you get on many continents compared to Africa. The story is book ended by the story of Adrien Niyonshuti (quite a bit in the middle too!) competing in the Olympics in London. An extraordinary story in itself and one which us in our safe european homes can't imagine. Anyways, after all that reading methinks it's time to get off my butt and clip into my pedals in the universal joy of struggling up a hill and freewheeling down.....

Under the Skin (Michel Faber)

Michel Faber
Under the Skin

A compelling book on a number of levels. The first few pages suggest a certain path which soon makes way for another before the reality creeps up on you. This is all within a couple of chapters and from then on in it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Some of the writing is a little predictable, in complete contrast to the storyline, and at times you feel that if it wasn't for the subject matter then it would be pretty lightweight. Having said this I did get into the characters mindsets and had a certain amount of empathy for them. This was recommended by my friend Beckie who thought that it would appeal to a vegan and the comparisons are obvious. There is comedy at times and pathos in heaps for all concerned. Ultimately there is an unsurprising climax, or rather an anti-climax, leaving you a little disappointed but on reflection it's a fitting end for both protagonist and storyline. The scary part is what big business are planning next but there again it's nothing compared to what goes on in the real world. If I'm a little coy with the facts it's because I don't want to ruin the shock of the storyline. Go read.