Franz Kessler's Jungle Fever is an  Absorbing Read  is written in three distinct sections.

First Book Journeys to the Congo

It is August 1994 and oiler Raoul Stern is writing a letter to his wife Aliye. His business trip aboard a Boeing 737 is much as any other, a brief landing in Libreville and back to sleep before the plane lands and he is told his visa is not valid and he must leave his passport.

Mr Lamira of Lowland Oil drives Raoul to his hotel and it is not long before Raoul meets his boss Tony. The visa is no big deal, just pay a bribe and all will be well.

A letter from home, a visit to a meditation bar, Raoul’s job assisting Tony with the American Co Califoil, prostitutes, and the knowledge that his wife is unfaithful all leave their mark on Raoul.

Second book Mission Raoul writes letters, keeps a diary, experiences many problems including running low on food, bad moods and malaria.

Book three, Love and Lost Illusions, the Zamba hotel, meeting and letters to a girl named Rosa, and wife Aliye surfaces to offer a chance to rekindle their relationship. It is get rid of Rosa or divorce. Raoul chooses divorce, a dowry basket and marriage to Rosa.

Their child Carl is born and while Raoul and his family are in Holland Rosa’s brother writes telling of terrible problems at home the family is torn apart, some are missing, dogs feed on corspes of the dead, and the dry season returns to Congo. Raoul’s life is turned upside down, but he has a plan.

Long time oil man turned writer Kessler draws on his long experience in the oil industry and his knowledge of Africa to produce a compelling slice of life read. A satisfactory exploit, writer Kessler has shrewdly blended fiction, passion, enigma, machination and jeopardy in this narrative of dying, corruption and devotion.

Major Characters presented are full of life and determination, a supporting cast of players round out the book so that the reader will want to read it more than once.

A unusual novel, Jungle Fever, offers the reader a peek into the turmoil and turmoil rampant on the African continent all through the 1990s. The scalding chemistry depicted between various players make this book a must read.

The work deals with serious issues such as those surrounding the unrest rampant in Africa as well as presenting light hearted moments all set against a backdrop of glimpses, resonance and fragrance of a mysterious continent most of us know only from reading, movies or television.

Well done, happy to recommend.

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Reviewed by: Molly Reviews Books  molly martin

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