TITLE: Malaika
AUTHOR: Van Heerling
RRP: Varies
Simplicity is nearly always more powerful than people realise – or understand. Nowhere have I seen this more evident than in Van Heerling’s haunting, beautiful, and, yes, simple Malaika.
The story of the relationship that develops between an American man and a Serengeti lioness (no I’m not being metaphorical – I am referring to the animal) is quite simply stunning. The writing in this story is simple – not in the sense of unsophisticated but in that of uncluttered. Heerling gives you the words you need to feel the story, not just read it.
There is little surprising in the story but it does not need surprise – Malaika’s power comes from the emotion that is portrayed so powerfully in every phrase. We learn little about the characters, but it doesn’t matter – we know all we ever need to know.
It came as no surprise, when I read other reviews of this novella, to learn nearly everyone used the same words: beautiful, haunting, searing, simple, stunning.
Malaika is quite simply a delight to read and experience and I look forward to reading more from Van Heerling.
