LISTENING FOR LIONS, the latest novel by National Book Award
winner Gloria Whelan, is the story of Rachel Sheridan, the daughter
of English missionaries working with the Kikuyu people in the East
African village of Tumaini. Although Rachel is raised in humble
surroundings --- a mud brick house with a roof that leaks --- she
is happy, helping her father in the hospital and visiting the local
people in their shambas. When the influenza epidemic of 1919
reaches Tumaini, however, Rachel's whole life changes. Not only do
the Africans flee the village out of fear of the illness, but her
own parents are struck down by the disease.

Left without family, Rachel thinks her only option is to approach
the mission board in Mombasa, although she knows they will send her
to a dismal orphanage in England. Her snooty British neighbors have
other ideas. Their only daughter Valerie, scheduled for a visit to
England with her estranged --- and wealthy --- grandfather, also
died in the flu epidemic. Valerie's parents want Rachel to take her
place. "It is only the expectation of Valerie's visit that has kept
the dear old man alive," her mother claims. Rachel is astute enough
to realize that there may be an underlying motive, but she's also
frightened at the prospect of being trapped in the orphanage. With
misgivings and a trembling heart, Rachel agrees to do as her
neighbors ask, and sets off for England.

LISTENING FOR LIONS is written in a spare, elegant prose that will
engage adults and children alike. What could have been a trite
undercover identity plot is revealed in such depth and nuance that
it never becomes melodramatic or overwhelming. However, Whelan's
strength here is her characters, particularly Rachel. Although in
some places Rachel seems almost too good to be true, her own
self-doubt and recognition of her own weaknesses make her very
believable. Whelan's slow, subtle and delightful development of the
relationship between Rachel and Valerie's grandfather is masterful.
While Rachel grows and changes in England in some unexpected and
surprising ways, she never loses the core of that missionary child
growing up in the African countryside.

Another thing that Whelan does extremely well is to create a
sympathetic yet realistic Western character in a colonial
environment. The world has changed tremendously since 1919, and
behavior and attitudes that were normal at that time are often
morally repugnant to us today. Most authors of historical novels
deal with this by giving their main characters 21st century
sensibilities, particularly on sensitive topics like women's issues
and racial equality. While understandable, it has the effect of
making the characters seem unreal. Whelan avoids this trap. Growing
up under such unusual circumstances, Rachel's views on
controversial topics seem natural, not just something tacked on to
make the character more sympathetic.

LISTENING FOR LIONS is a fantastic book, filled with characters who
will remain with you long after you've finished the last page. I
heartily recommend it.

   -