Books with title An American Visitor

“What a really great book it is – it seems as fresh, as moving, as sad as when I first read it.”Graham Greene“An American Visitor has an immediacy of reference which makes it seem as if it had been written to explain recent events in the Congo, in Kenya, and in other parts of Africa.”The New Yorker“What is best in the book is its ring of truth. The natives and the British whites speak and act with absolute naturalness... Cary misses few of the ironies of a situation in which imperfect Christians try to perfect the savage.”Time Magazine ‘The white man’s god is a lie — don’t you believe in him.’The American visitor is Marie Hasluck, a young journalist, who comes to twentieth-century Africa armed with her idealism and a sentimental belief in the Noble Savage. She plunges immediately into enthusiastic conflict with the Europeans there, all of whom have their own ideals of colonialism, and falls in love with one of them, an unconventional district officer named Bewsher who maintains precarious order among the natives by the sheer force of his personality. Marie finds out too late that there are no simple answers to Africa’s problems. It is the great virtue of AN AMERICAN VISITOR that Cary proposes none. Rather, he suggests complexity, ironically denying the reader the comfort of an attitude. The measure of his success is in the extraordinary relevance today of a book written thirty years ago.

Drawing upon Cary's own experience as a member of the Nigerian political service in 1913, An American Visitor records the impressions and awakenings of Marie, an idealistic anthropologist who believes she has discerned the Kingdom of Heaven in the village of Nok. Colonial betrayal, white prospectors who stake claims within Birri territory, and a deepening relationship with the eccentric District Officer lead Marie to re-examine the perils of her own charmed position.

“What a really great book it is – it seems as fresh, as moving, as sad as when I first read it.” Graham Greene “An American Visitor has an immediacy of reference which makes it seem as if it had been written to explain recent events in the Congo, in Kenya, and in other parts of Africa.” The New Yorker “What is best in the book is its ring of truth. The natives and the British whites speak and act with absolute naturalness... Cary misses few of the ironies of a situation in which imperfect Christians try to perfect the savage.” Time Magazine ‘The white man’s god is a lie — don’t you believe in him.’ The American visitor is Marie Hasluck, a young journalist, who comes to twentieth-century Africa armed with her idealism and a sentimental belief in the Noble Savage. She plunges immediately into enthusiastic conflict with the Europeans there, all of whom have their own ideals of colonialism, and falls in love with one of them, an unconventional district officer named Bewsher who maintains precarious order among the natives by the sheer force of his personality. Marie finds out too late that there are no simple answers to Africa’s problems. It is the great virtue of AN AMERICAN VISITOR that Cary proposes none. Rather, he suggests complexity, ironically denying the reader the comfort of an attitude. The measure of his success is in the extraordinary relevance today of a book written thirty years ago.

TELFORD AND THE AMERICAN VISITOR Ray Pope In The Model-Railway Men Mark dis- covered that a family of miniature people were living in the drawer under the table that supported his railway layout. For a time they were the only people, except for his father, who really understood and shared his enthusiasm for "the age of steam". But now, with the arrival of the young American, Pete, Mark finds a friend of his own age—and a problem. It has been hard enough to conceal the existence of the Railway People from his parents, who only visit the layout occasionally, but conceal- ing it from Pete is far worse. Pete is a real "buff" who is prepared to spend hours working the railway and who has brought much of his own equipment with him in- eluding his fabulous locomotive the "Giant". Telford, the leader of the model-railway men, expects to be able to ' 'show that young feller from America a thing or two", but becomes as entranced as Mark with the "Giant". However, there are other less appealing items in Pete's collection, in- cluding one that puts Mrs. Telford in some danger of her life when they try to use it without knowing just what it will do. But the worst difficulty arises when Pete leaves his cine camera on the layout and Mark finds that the railway people have acci- dentally photographed themselves with it. Pete sees the film and believes it is some sort of trick work done by Mark, but Mark realises only too well that if the film is seen by other people it will mean the end of peace and quiet for the railway people. How he explains this to Telford and his sons and how they contrive to find and hide the film forms the climax of this amusing and exciting story. Illustrated by Gareth Floyd It has a bit of Wimpy Kid on rails, Discworld and a hint of Python in my opinion. Mark. (Ray Pope's son)Reviews of The Model Railway Men series include:-The Model Railway Men (Book 1)"A charming story about a family of tiny steam train enthusiasts....Mr. Pope brings to it a sense of characterisation and situation, plus a railway expertise that combine to make a very enjoyable book"School Librarian (The Journal of The School Library Association).Telford and the American Visitor (Book 2)"The Model-Railway people are growing in depth of character as they encounter more trials, and Mark is learning the cost of secrecy...the story is exciting and funny". School LibrarianThe Model Railway Men Take Over (Book 3)"This book combines the 'romance of steam' with the miniature which most children enjoy."Times Literary SupplementTelfords Holiday (Book 4)"Mark and his railway men move from the attic where the delightful secret of their existance has been kept secret to the more dangerous out of doors world...A welcome change of scene for these lively characters." Growing PointTelford and the Festiniog Railway (Book 5)"This series is consistently good...beautifully characterised, exciting and touching, and the background of railways and their history is lovingly created." Sunday TelegraphTelford Saves the Line (Book 6)"The book will undoubtebly be of interest to all railway enthusiasts, particularly those with a steam nostagia." Times Literary SupplementTelford Goes Dutch (Book 7)"Mark and his father visit Holland and...the model-railway men go too...and discover that they are not after all the last of their miniature race." Margery Fisher, Sunday TimesTelford Tells the Truth (Book 8)"Telford could go on for ever - and thousands of faithful readers hope that he will...Splended stuff." Yorkshire Post