The Forbidden Coast

This is a book that ought to be very interesting. Lodwick, and author known for his novels and British navy history, travels in the early 1950s to the Canary Islands and to Rio de Oro (Spanish Sahara, now Western Sahara - mostly, except the northern part which is now part of Morocco.)

Unfortunately, this was a slog. It is hard to say what went wrong for me with this. Perhaps it is the authors necessity to document too much? There was certainly little it any editorial control wielded over this book. Each conversation, no matter how dull, every thought, every consideration is noted down. I struggled with the flow, and, to be honest to keep my eyes open much of the time.

There were sparks of interest, definitely some unique experiences for Lodwick, and some pre-tourism exploration of the Canary Islands.

There were some very bizarre things too. In one case, after arranging with friendly fisherman to land him on two small islands (to which he did not have a visa, nor would he likely be permitted to visit), it transpired he had, without divulging in advance (the only time he didn't choreograph things!), smuggled two rabbits, five mice and two chameleons onto one island, which he set free. He offered no explanation (unless I fell asleep and missed it - if so, and anyone else reads this book, please let me know) for this, frankly, irresponsible and outrageous action. While he may not have been prosecuted in the 1950s for such an action, I expect he would be now if he did such a thing!
At another point, on the Rio de Oro mainland he is offered a desert hedgehog to take home, which is promptly packed into a box for him! This was followed by a gazelle in a crate, and later, back in the Canaries, a monkey.

On a positive note, the narrative was significantly more interesting on mainland Africa. I am not sure if it was the people or the places, or more likely both, but it became a less fragmented narrative, with less jumping about from topic to topic.

A hard book to rate, parts were 2 star, parts were 3 star, it even peaked at perhaps 4 stars for a short period, but for the lions share it was tiresome. I will settle at 2.5 stars, rounded up (generously)!