3.5 stars rounded down to 3. Historical fictions are very hit or miss for me and this one slightly missed the mark. Although I felt it was very well researched and written, it was a laborious read. I enjoy books that suck me in but this took me a lot of time to get through. It was a moving story but not for everyone.

3.75

This book journals the aftermath of Dr. David Livingtone’s death; English physician, missionary and humanitarian. It is delivered from two POVs; his female cook, Halimi and from Jacob Wainwright, a Christian missionary. Dr. Livingstone has bestowed himself a man of great significance among their people. He is deified because of his contributions to their village. (He is referred to as Bwana (‘Master’) Daudi, and Halimi, is ‘his favorite slave to a white muzungu.’)

I thoroughly enjoyed the spirited narration coming from Halimi’s POV. Her prose is funny, witty and sharp. She is a refreshing character to read in such a dark and unusual situation. Her deep inquisitiveness and assertiveness sets the story for minor conflict. (I found myself rooting for her as she professes her deep yearning for freedom from slave and patriarchal norms in 1870s Zambia, Africa.)

Wainwright’s POV was beautifully written, but much slower paced. It reads more technically to their journey, rather than a traditional story arc.

Her story telling is vivid with great sensory details. I like how she also chose deeply contrasting characters; both in a truly extraordinary situation. ("Whoever heard," she said, 'of a group of people marching from place to place with a dead body.")

I received this ARC from Scribner (for Simon and Schuster) via NetGalley.com for an honest review.

A moving book of historical fiction.An amazing journey a story of love and loyalty past a persons final days on earth.Take this journey its such a wonderful read.#netgalley #scribners

Out of Darkness, Shining Light describes the story of David Livingston and the themes of strength, determination, love, loyalty and courage. The characters were well developed and it had a very interesting plot. A fascinating story, well written and I appreciated the research that went into this book. I would be interested in reading more of this author. My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

An interesting story of historical fiction. Well-researched and very well-written; an incredible 1000 mi journey. The characters were well-formed and the dialog solid. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

REVIEW
This is a meditative read of imaginative fiction. It's a story of a journey, based in fact, built for the reader into fiction. Petina Gappah's work Out of Darkness, Shining Light is exquisitely researched and dives into the story of David Livingstone. It explores deep themes of love, loyalty, and the legacy of slavery. I found it to be a fascinating story.

PRAISE
“Engrossing, beautiful, and deeply imaginative, Out of Darkness, Shining Light, is a novel that lends voice to those who appeared only as footnotes in history, yet whose final, brave act of loyalty and respect changed the course of it. An incredible and important book by a masterful writer.”
—Yaa Gyasi, author of Homegoing

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Scribner for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I loved this. I don't have much else to say so I'm going to repeat myself. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this. I loved this.

Oh my goodness, this book. It is such a beautiful depiction of personal sacrifice, love and loyalty. When Dr. David Livingston died in Africa, his cook, Halima and Jacob Wainwright a freed slave decide to carry his body across the entire continent so he can be buried back in England and his ministry continued. 

It's an amazing story and one I will remember for a long time. I never thought I would enjoy a book about two people carrying a dead body across a country, but it was seriously so, so good!

Witty ~ Literary ~ Imaginative

tl;dr: Even the great explorers had a great deal of help.

Zimbabwe author Petina Gappah writes about the people who helped David Livingstone on his journey through sub-Saharan Africa. The book has short chapters, framed like memoir/ diary, and tell the story of the travels from the view of his African staff. I loved the way the author alluded to Livingstone through the staff's reflections. Each of the characters are so well-rounded. Livingstone's great "successes" are placed in context, and diminished in import, accordingly. This book is would be a wonderful read in a course about Colonialism and colonial ways of thinking, as well as a good read for any person who enjoys historical fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.