When I heard about Red Tape and White Knuckles by Lois Pryce, I thought it would be an interesting travelog. I mean, a book about a London woman driving a motorcycle down the entire length of Africa, through the Sahara desert, the jungle, and the war-ravaged-mine-studded countries of central Africa was bound to be exciting! I was expecting some adventure from the road, some self-agrandized independent spirit from the author, and perhaps some entertaining anecdotes about engine maintenance and cultural misunderstandings at awkward moments for comic relief. What I got was so much more.
The next time you are in the mood for some chic-lit, pick up this instead. Far from bravado, Lois Pryce writes with the breezy tone of a girlfriend but delivers her experience and observation from the pen of an observent adventurer. Lois describes the people, the clothing, the shopping, accommodations, and the culture of every country she goes through but all in the most un-pretentious way. She’s in it, a part of it. She observes her fellow travelers and how they react to their shared experiences and surroundings. You may even recognize yourself. If not in Lois, then perhaps in one of the travelers she encounters. (I’m totally a “Val” or a “Liz”.)
Lois has a friendly, chatty voice. It felt like I was following her in real time and we were friends keeping in touch through email. I found Lois to be an approachable, down-to-earth woman that is not unlike many of my friends. As the chapters and countries went by, I noticed something else. This wasn’t just a “what I did on my summer vacation” travel diary. Lois is a very competent writer. She took me with her as her character developed and deepened in response to the situations she found herself in. Lois’ journey has a complete story arc with engaging scenes, unexpected turns of events, an obstacle that would have sent me back the way I came, a mad-dash climax and a satisfying denouement in Capetown, South Africa. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read.
One of the great lessons from Red Tape and White Knuckles is that when we find ourselves in need, a helper invariably appears. But upon reflection, I realized that this is no strange miracle at all. These angles do not materialize for the purpose of helping us. They are our fellow man and they are always here among us. We just don’t notice angels unless we need them.
Excerpt:
“In a split second of wisdom I decided to keep quiet and phone him back later. After all, what was I going to say? I’m being assaulted by an alcoholic albino tramp, but don’t worry because a mobile phone salesman with a gold tooth is rescuing me. Even in my traumatized state, I realized that this is not what a man wants to hear when his wife phones home from Africa.”
(Coming soon to WanderLit: An interview with the author! What would you like me to ask Lois?)