This is a beautifully crafted and fascinating historical fiction story based on the life of Mary Leakey, one of the world’s most renowned paleoanthropologist. She led an unusual life and had very little formal education, yet was granted a number of honorary doctorates for her impressive field work. She had a sharp mind and eye for detail and had a gift of drawing the items she saw. She was employed to do some illustrations for archaeologist Louis Leakey for his book. But a romance developed between them. This was a problem as he was married with a child and pregnant wife. The scenes of encounter between these three were quite harrowing, as one would expect, but Penny Haw handles it all with skill and understanding. Eventually Mary joins Louis on his next adventures to the beautiful Tanzania in East Africa where her second love blossoms. Olduvai Gorge captures her heart, lock stock and barrel.

Mary’s love of archaeology was inspired by her father’s interest in it. On top of this, she had a keen curiosity and this drove her to learn all she could about the past. When questioned by seventeen year old Grace, about its importance, she says that she believes it is impossible to know everything but it doesn’t mean she does not want to try. And then says this is why the career she has chosen is perfect for her as her curiosity will never be satisfied. There is quite a profound nugget of truth in this revelation. For it means she will never get bored with her profession. It will never lose its sparkle as there will always be potential endless discoveries. Thus, she will be part of a never ending story.

Although this novel is inspired by Mary Leakey’s life, there is more. The author created two timelines with Mary in both. One with her younger self in the 1930s and the other in 1983 when she is seventy. In the 1983 thread, fictional character Grace (along with her parents) is cleverly added to the narrative to help tell Mary’s story. There are a few parallels between Grace and a younger Mary. Grace is a teenager who has lost her mother and is now on a dig with her once estranged father in Tanzania working under Mary. It is here Grace’s common interests with the older woman, shared losses and vibrant passion for animals becomes visible. A hand raised female cheetah turned out into the wild becomes injured. Hungry and thirsty, she finds her way to their site. Together Grace and Mary work to save Lisa (the cat). (The cat’s name has an interesting background but I will leave that for readers to discover.) During this time, Grace learns a lot about herself, her abilities and the direction she wants to take in her life. Mary is often lending valuable advice to her when asked. Much of her input had me nodding in agreement because it is wisdom that only experience and years can bring. There is a secret too that unfolds at the end and reconnection comes with its revelation—particularly for Grace and her father. There is a lot of character development, healing and realising of dreams. And despite the challenges, there is a positive outcome.

This is a powerful and moving story that inspired and warmed my heart. I love that it is based on a woman of significance who made quite a number of contributions to the science world, against the odds. The setting is critical in this novel and one that inspires awe. Penny Haw has described Tanzania’s great landscape beauty, its wild but alluring dangers and its captivating animals. I learned a great deal reading the novel and felt as though I had visited this place and met these people. Follow Me to Africa is a true charmer— an unputdownable read. I did not want to disembark this fascinating journey that held me captive from the first page to the last. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for a review copy.

I thought this was a good read. I've always had an interest in archaeology, so I liked learning a bit more about it. Mary Leakey was a trailblazer, one of few women in the field ( literally!) in the early days. Grace was a confused young girl, trying to understand her parents and find a path of her own. Her connection with Mary added to the story. Though this IS fiction, it was loosely based on Mary's life. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. I definitely recommend!

Penny Haw’s Take Me to Africa is a beautifully crafted historical fiction centered around the life of real-life trailblazer, Mary Leakey. Set against the dreamy backdrop of Africa, the novel perfectly captures the spirit of adventure and discovery. The character development is masterfully done, making Mary’s journey both personal and inspiring. As my first introduction to Haw’s work, this book exceeded expectations, earning a solid 4 stars. I’m definitely looking forward to exploring more from this author!

Having experienced the vastness of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater first hand, the author beautifully and with great accuracy captures Africa’s expansive landscapes and animals. Only a couple pages in and the tension builds quickly. It doesn’t give you too much too fast, which leaves you eager to learn more. I could barely put this book down. I sometimes have a hard time going back and forth between timelines, but this book made it seamless. I never felt lost or confused. The writing is exquisite. I felt like I was there, could see, feel and hear everything. This will be a must read when it comes out, I have no doubts.

This novel is a beautiful tribute to resilience, the pursuit of passion, and the bonds that unite us, making it a must-read for anyone who cherishes stories of strong women carving their own paths in history.

"She’d come to Africa because she was curious, ambitious, and adventurous."

Animals or Fossils?  This is the question Dr Mary Leakey, famed archeologist, asks Grace to consider as the 17 year old struggles with her future.

Like Grace, I chose 'Animals' when it comes to the alternating POVs of Grace (1983) and Mary (beginning in 1930 through 1983).

In 1983, Grace travels with her estranged father - who she calls George - to an archeological dig in Tanzania following her mother's death. Dr Mary (Nicol) Leakey, famed archeologist, forms an unexpected bond with Grace as they care for a hand reared cheetah, Lisa.

In 1930, Mary Nicol, interested in attending scientific lectures and expanding her knowledge outside the bounds of standard education, is mentored by two female scientists. Mary is independent, has a strong work ethic, and a passion for Africa.

I enjoyed this story, especially the alternating timelines.  The author never spending too long in either one, which left me looking forward to returning to each part of the story.  I returned again and again to the importance of strong, independent, and educated women mentoring women in the scientific community.

The setting was full of sensory imagery. I could see the changing colors of the savannah, touch the dirt, taste the dust, and feel/hear the cheetah's purr.

The stories I've enjoyed most this year are works of biographical fiction, introducing me to woman I had not known. Who will be next?

I highly recommend this book.

This is such an interesting book about anthropology and how humankind started. It was informative, made me think, and kept me intrigued. I was a fan of the dual timeline, it worked really well for this type of book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!

What an interesting novel about Mary Leakey a British paleoanthropologist and a troubled young teenaged girl who comes to Africa with her estranged father. after her mother dies Grace Clark comes to Africa with no expectations, she only came along because her father wanted her to. While there, however, Mary Leakey enlists Grace to sort and pack her fifty years of work and memories. It is while she is working with Ms. Leakey that Grace discovers her love for animals. When an injured cheetah arrives at the camp it is both Mary and Grace that work together to save it. However, Grace taking things too far, disappears with the animal on the morning she is to leave the camp. There is scarcity of time before the bush claims both Grace and the animal. I was so absorbed reading this story, as Africa is a place I've always wanted to explore. Unfortunately, that never happened, yet reading this book gave me the opportunity to at least see it in my mind. I love historical fiction, especially those that are biographical. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you have a fascination about the origins of humankind and the people who helped uncover many of those mysteries, then you’ll love this work of fiction based on the life of famed anthropologist, Mary Leakey

I was intrigued both by the description and the absolutely gorgeous cover, but I was a bit let down by the writing style. I didn’t feel like it flowed very well and it felt a bit “heavy” with telling instead of showing. Also the dialogue felt a bit awkward at times.

However, it was very interesting to read about Mary and her work since I was not very familiar with her prior to reading this book. As a fan of historical fiction I love it when the characters actually have excited in real life and you get to know them a bit more through a book, even if it’s fiction.

I love paleo-anthropology and was excited to read a fictional book about a real life person. It had that element that I was looking for and thought the feel really worked well together with what I wanted. I had enjoyed other works from Penny Haw and this had that writing style that I was expecting and thought the characters were wonderfully done. It uses the dual timeline perfect and thought the concept worked overall. It had that realism that I was looking for and glad I got to read this.