Beryl Markham

Beryl Markham was a pioneering aviator, accomplished horse trainer, and author who is best known for being the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west. Her memoir "West with the Night" chronicles her remarkable life in colonial Kenya and her historic 1936 transatlantic flight. Born in England in 1902, Markham moved to Kenya at age four where she grew up on her father's horse farm near the Great Rift Valley. She became a successful racehorse trainer by age 17, and later transitioned to aviation in the 1930s, becoming one of Africa's first bush pilots. In addition to her achievements in aviation and horse training, Markham moved in influential colonial circles, associating with notable figures like Karen Blixen and Denys Finch Hatton. She documented these experiences and her historic Atlantic crossing in "West with the Night," which Ernest Hemingway praised for its exceptional writing quality. Although she spent her later years in relative obscurity, Markham's legacy endures through her memoir, which was rediscovered and republished in 1982, bringing renewed attention to her extraordinary life achievements. She died in Nairobi in 1986, leaving behind a compelling story of adventure and determination in colonial Africa.

Readers consistently praise Markham's vivid descriptions of Africa and flying in "West with the Night." Many note her distinctive writing style - one reader on Goodreads describes it as "poetry disguised as prose." Her detailed accounts of horse training and aviation draw particular appreciation. Readers highlight: - Immersive descriptions of colonial Kenya - Technical yet accessible aviation passages - Complex relationships with animals and nature - Unsentimental, direct writing approach Common criticisms: - Selective storytelling that omits personal relationships - Some find the pacing uneven - Limited emotional depth or self-reflection Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,400+ reviews) LibraryThing: 4.3/5 (2,000+ ratings) Many readers reference Ernest Hemingway's quote about the book being "bloody wonderful." Several note discovering it through Sara Wheeler's biography "Too Close to the Sun," which prompted them to read Markham's work.

West with the Night (1942) A memoir chronicling Markham's experiences growing up in colonial Kenya, her career as a horse trainer and bush pilot, and her historic solo flight across the Atlantic from east to west.

Karen Blixen wrote about her life in colonial Kenya under the pen name Isak Dinesen, capturing the same era and social circles as Markham in works like "Out of Africa." She shared Markham's intimate knowledge of Kenya's landscapes and colonial society, depicting both the beauty and complexity of life in East Africa.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry combined his experiences as a pioneer aviator with poetic storytelling in works like "Wind, Sand and Stars." His writing connects flying with philosophical reflection and adventure, similar to Markham's approach in describing her aviation experiences.

Martha Gellhorn documented her experiences as a war correspondent and traveler through multiple continents in works like "Travels with Myself and Another." She wrote with the same independent spirit and determination as Markham, breaking gender barriers in her field while maintaining a clear-eyed perspective on her experiences.

Ernest K. Gann wrote extensively about early aviation, combining technical knowledge with storytelling in works like "Fate Is the Hunter." His accounts of early commercial and military flying capture the same era of aviation history that Markham lived through, with similar attention to the technical and human elements of flight.

Osa Johnson chronicled her adventures in Africa with her husband Martin in "I Married Adventure," documenting their experiences as pioneers in wildlife photography. Her first-hand accounts of Africa in the early 20th century parallel Markham's experiences, offering another perspective on colonial-era Kenya and safari life.