Jane Wilson-Howarth

Fiction

 
 
 

reviews

Madagascar Misadventure

A great tale for teenagers, as the intrepid duo of Alex and James follow their chaotic and negligent parents from the Himalayas to the remoter corners of Madagascar. The quest for lemurs quickly turns into a struggle against corruption, evilness and exploitation of nature. With the help of a feisty local friend they defeat the forces of darkness; they are reunited with their parents and are able to enjoy the wonders of the forest, caves and scenery of Ankarana, and the charm of the Malagasy people. All the charismatic local fauna feature in the story, and many are beautifully illustrated with photographs or line drawings


Himalayan Heist

Wonderful narration of a lively story with great characters

Lizbeth Meredith (author)


Himalayan Hideout

This book, not like many others, it starts by plunging you into an adventure, where you are instantly gripped. I really loved this book and read it in an afternoon.  It is not the children being kidnapped, but the adults. The children set off on a long fun, challenging adventure encountering lots of different animals with beautiful descriptions and illustrations. You feel as if you could walk up to them and greet them with their full name. The different personalities of the children really bring the story alive. There are two boys, the younger one thinks mainly of food and the older one tries to be clever but fails desperately over time because the girl out-smarts his thinking with her knowledge of Nepali culture. I think everyone would enjoy this book, even if you don’t have a particular interest in different animals. By the end, you will have a knowledge of more than just foxes and badgers.
 

Toma, aged 12


Himalayan Kidnap

16 year old Alex and his 12 year old brother James are asked to take a mysterious package to their parents, who are engaged in animal research in the Nepalese jungle. They soon become involved in a dangerous journey involving betrayal, wild animals, avalanches, deep and dark caves and kidnap by Maoist insurgents, as well as help from many Nepalis, including their young friend Atti. The story  moves rapidly from one incident and escape to another, and is sure to hold the interest of young readers. Throughout the book Jane’s knowledge and love of Nepal, its people, its geography and its wildlife shine through the narrative, skilfully making it as informative as it is entertaining. The book includes a glossary of Nepali terms used in the text, as well as delightful illustrations by Betty Levene of many of the creatures encountered by Alex and James during their adventure. Young readers given this book, whether in print format or as an ebook will devour it and will eagerly await the next of Alex and James’s adventures. 

Mike Townend in Travelwise