A Good Man in Africa
As the point of this challenge is to read more books by non-white, non-European non-males, for me to start by reading a book by a white Scottish male probably isn’t ideal. However, I have a sentimental connection to the book that I believe allows me leeway. Plus, if, like me, you’re pernickety about detail and like to argue over moot points then the fact that William Boyd was born in Ghana and lived in Africa until he was 9 is sufficient for criteria 17. A better person than I might say “but Duncan, that’s not the point, the point is to expand your bubble, why don’t you read something by Chinua Achebe or NoViolet Bulawayo?” but today I’m being pernickety, so there.
The main reason I’m stretching the spirit of the challenge is because I loved this book. A Good Man in Africa is a classic in my family. My parents read it on their honeymoon to Nepal approximately 30 years ago. I should know exactly how long my parents have been married because my sister’s birthday and their anniversary are the same day, a year apart. Alas I am a terrible son/brother and therefore don’t know either, so we’re stuck with an estimate. Sorry. Since then they’ve bought probably 50% of the copies ever printed and given them as gifts to anyone going abroad. I think subconsciously my parents associate this book with being the key to a lasting marriage, happy travels and generally a good life.
True to form, when I left for my year abroad in Australia I was proudly presented with my very own copy. I duly chucked it in my backpack and forgot about it - classic. 12 months later I was working out what to take home and what to leave in Cambodia (I’m tempted now to go off on a rant about how life changing Angkor Wat was at sunrise, supplemented with many over saturated, Instagram worthy photos, but I’ll resist). Back to the point, when I was rummaging through my bag I stumbled across the book and made the reluctant decision to give it a go on the plane home. 13 hours and 250 pages later I had devoured it.
I realise I’ve been rambling on about everything and anything not to do with the content of the book so I should probably get down to that. A Good Man in Africa is a classic “everything that could go wrong does go wrong” adventure of a hapless diplomat in the fictional state of Kinjanja in West Africa. It’s equal measure dark humour and pertinent social themes. It focuses on Morgan Leafy, a lowly civil servant whose career is going nowhere, who keeps getting himself into increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations. These range from fixing an election or being blackmailed by a local politician to bribing a doctor or getting gonorrhoea from his mistress while attempting to pursue his boss’s daughter.
Apart from the comedic element (which was right up my street), the humanity of the novel resonated strongly with me. Morgan is not a likable man. He’s rude, sexist, slightly racist and brash. He is at fault for much of what goes wrong in his life and yet I feel sorry for him, I wanted everything to work out for him, I wanted him to be happy. We all know someone who, no matter how much they annoy us, do things which we think are wrong yet we still like them, even love them, for it. There is a moment when it feels like everything is going to be okay. He is becoming more successful in his romantic pursuits , his reliance on alcohol is diminishing and he is making an effort with the people he dislikes. There is enough evidence to show that he can be a caring, happy person to make you forgive all his past misdemeanours. Then he gets gonorrhoea and his inability to address the issue with his partner in a mature manner ruins it all. I found myself inwardly screaming at him in frustration. Thoughts were running through my mind such as “You were so happy! Why did you do that? It would have been okay if you calmed down and acted like I know you can! You’ve just shown me you can do it! Why Morgan, why?”.
As a book written by a Brit who lived in Africa, about a British diplomat in Africa, it dealt with the complex and controversial subject matter subtly - hinting at the issues of British colonisation in the region. Morgan has a chip on his shoulder; seeing himself as superior to the locals. He treats his mistress, Hazel, with disdain; buying her a house and expecting her to be available whenever he demands. Morgan and his colleagues are unsympathetic regarding local customs; seeing them as little more than petty superstition. There is no direct mention of a colonial past, however, the infiltration of superior attitudes amongst these Europeans clearly nods in its direction making the reader pause and think.
The book was written in the early 1980s and it tells. Some of the themes, such as taking a black lover, and sexual promiscuity might have caused more of a stir when originally published than now, but read in context I don’t think they necessarily detract from the overall reading. There were also times where the humour was slightly broad-brush, and some plot points not fully expanded on. A shame, but hey, as Morgan demonstrates throughout the book nothing and nobody is perfect.
A Good Man in Africa is undoubtedly an easy, entertaining read. Reading, understanding and enjoying the book does not require prior knowledge of the subject matter because the issues at its core are so profoundly human and relatable. It is a book primarily to be read and re-read, enjoyed and re-enjoyed with no effort required. Putting the sentimental values of the book aside, I believe my parents keep giving it out primarily because it is fun. Deeper issues are there to be drawn out if desired but that is not its raison d’etre, which is to entertain the socks off you - to be devoured. So, if you find yourself about to embark on a long journey into the unknown you could do worse than popping this in your bag.
