The Mottled Lizard

Huxley's first autobiography, The Flame Trees of Thika, covering her childhood up to around 10 years old, was good, but I had reservations about the adult thoughts provided via a young child. For me it affected the authenticity. It took me ten years to get to the second autobiography, which covers the period after the war, and before the author is sent to Britain for University - from around 11 to 18 years old. I had far less issue with this book - the thoughts were much more in keeping with the age of the thinker, as we witness the young girl becoming a young woman.

Kenya - and a return to Thika and the Rift Valley coffee plantation with mother Tilly, as unconventional a parent as Robin, who was already there, having had a head start. Thika provides a return to some old characters, and other settlers in the area, as well as a few trips to Nairobi, as they settle back into life in their familiar plantation. Neighbours are a source and the topic of gossip and news, and Eslpeth acquires new pets, including a cheetah (called Rupert) and later a genet (I had too google it too) called, well, Genet. Colonial African views might raise some eyebrows but I have never had an issue separating today with the past, as it examines the relationship of the settlers with the native people and the wild animals so plentiful then, yet as such risk now.

With itchy feet, they take a trip to view some land Robin - ever the speculator and optimist - had acquired in the lottery under the soldier-settlement scheme high up on the slopes of Mt Kenya. The land, of course was no good, but it stirred up some thoughts of a new farm, and a new challenge.

Another expedition to view some virgin land further out of civilisation, Njoro, where the land would need to be cleared. It was deemed favourable, so the coffee plantation at Thika was sold and the new land purchased, so things were packed and the trip made. Lots of friends and other settlers were visited on the way, and Elspeth meets more peers and, as a 16 year old is attracted to Allan, several years older, and a safari guide, who is the son of Robin and Tilly's friends.

Elspeth involves herself in hunting, assisted by Allan, initially hear his home when they are guests in transit, then on a safari Allan organises, on which Tilly accompanies her. Despite being a more than adequate shot, Elspeth decides after all that she is not motivated to kill animals when food is not required!

It is a hard life in Kenya for the settlers, and the story is riddled with sad occurrences, as well as highpoints like the visit of Tilly's cousin Hilary (a male cousin). We also see how ordinary settler life is, and how hard they must work. While we don't necessary get into the inner thoughts of the author, there are some overarching themes that Huxley explores, evolving her views with maturity.

So long as you can separate the time of the Empire in Africa from today, an enjoyable read.

4 stars