- Paperback: 96 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press (Aug 30 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0194230562
- ISBN-13: 978-0194230568
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 100 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,972,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
From Library Journal
Forester is now remembered for his Horatio Hornblower sea adventures; his 1935 novel has been forgotten in lieu of the popular 1951 film by John Huston. However, those who want to experience the original without Hollywood's alternationsDprotagonist Charlie Allnutt is BritishDwill have to read the novel.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
The African Queen is an old, dirty, ugly, unreliable steamboat. No one would take a boat like that down a dangerous river through the jungles of Central Africa during the First World War. But Rose Sayer and Charlie Allnut do just that. They come close to death many times, but no one would expect a missionary's sister and a rough, uneducated mechanic to fall in love . . . The film of this famous love and adventure story, made in 1951, starred Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, and went on to become one of the most popular films ever made.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book takes you there.,
By Julian King (Melbourne, Ozstralia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The African Queen (Paperback)
Seen the movie, now read the book. This is an adventure tale about Charlie Allnutt and Rose Sayer set in WWI and was written by C.S.Forester in 1935. The book has been over shadowed by the 1951 film which starred Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The book stands on its own as a classic and centres on the relationship between the unlikely match of Charlie and Rose with the war as a backdrop. Charlie is a gin loving engineer and Rose is a religious missionary who manages to convince Charlie to take his rickety old boat, The African Queen, down a treacherous river to destroy a German gunboat patrolling the lake at the end of the river. The inter play between the two characters is developed beautifully as they influence each other to form a formidable team. Forester may have meant it to be many things, but to me it is a great love story. Two people who shine in the presence of each other. The novel is relatively short and keeps the suspense and sense of adventure high throughout. The ending of the book turns out to be more realistic and poignant than the film and just by reading it you will appreciate the brilliance of Bogart and Hepburn even more.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Romantic Adventure Filled with Irony about Civilization,
By Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 112,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (#1 HALL OF FAME)
This review is from: The African Queen (Paperback)
I find it impossible to discuss this book without referring to the 1951 movie. The first 80 percent of the movie and the book are mostly similar. The endings are quite different. I slightly prefer the movie's improbable ending, although the endings of both have serious flaws. Reading the first 80 percent of the book is a joy after having seen the movie. If you are like me, you will see and hear the movie in your mind as you read the book. In the first 80 percent of the book, you will find more in the book than in the movie. C.S. Forester is able to tackle interesting themes in the book that were too delicate for Hollywood. Also, he employs an amazing mastery of the technical details in describing the African Queen's voyage down the Ulanga and Bora rivers into Lake Victoria. You will almost feel like you are reading science fiction from the time of H.G. Wells, as Allnut and Rose keep making something out of nothing. To me, the best part of the book is that the contrasts between the "civilized" conventions and the "natural" instincts are drawn in extreme and fine detail. It will make you re-examine how you think about what is the right thing to do in your own life, which is what good literature should do. To me, the weakness of the book is that the attitudes that The African Queen challenges are very far removed from our experience today. What was very scathing then now seems quaint. Somehow, the outrage behind the story is diffused into a dreamy period piece. Are there many women now of 33 who are so completely dominated by their brothers that they do not lead their own lives? Would many people today be inflamed by love of country to want to strike a personally fatal blow against the oppressor against all odds? Does the arrogance of colonialism seem believable, or just a silly notion to caricature? Ultimately, Rose's instant rise from docile creature to Wonder Woman does seem to strain credibility. It's inspiring fun, though, like any book about brave heroines who are undaunted by the odds and convention. After you read this book, think about where your assumptions about what you should be doing have not been re-examined by you in a while. What are you doing because someone else tells you it is a good idea? What should you be doing because you think it is a good idea? Take the initiative to do the right thing with full speed ahead!
4.0 out of 5 stars
The devil is in the detail,
By Peter Bowes (Avalon, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The African Queen (Paperback)
C S Forester knew his business. He knew a plausible method of turning an old river steamer into a torpedo, he knew the hellish consequences of losing a prop blade, of mooring in a mangrove swamp, of finding still water in a rapid.. And as he has proven so many times in the Hornblower novels, he knows the way of knaves and gentleman... This is a book for any age.
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