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The Clouds Beneath the Sun
by Mackenzie Ford

Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Publication date: 07/27/2010.
Novels, 464 pp.

Number of reader reviews: 23
Readers' Consensus: 4.0
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First Impressions: Page 4 of 4
Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Chris G. (New Albany, Ohio)

The Clouds Beneath the Sun
It's 1961 and we are in Kenya. Dr. Natalie Nelson has just arrived on an airstrip in the midst of the Serengeti to join an excavation team to begin the dig of her dreams. As an archeologist she is excited by the prospects but she is also taking the opportunity to flee dealing with the memories and pain of past trauma.

Little does she know she has stepped out of the frying pan and into the fire. Kenya is beginning its journey to independence, a controversy and a murder has turned up involving the local Masai people and the leader of the dig, Eleanor Deacon is watching an irreparable schism grow between her sons. And then there is Natalie's growing attraction to Jack that goes from passionate affair to turmoil when she is forced to present evidence in a trial that very well could lead to a rebellion.

The social upheaval of the times and the tribal customs of the Masai are well presented as are many of the dig protocols. I found the methodical pace to be daunting at times, but I suppose the pace echoes the care and slowness carried out on a dig. But one hopes for a little more speed in the delivery when dealing with murder as opposed to a procedural. All in all a good book but I am a bit undecided as to whether I would go for a second book by this author.

Rated 2 of 5 of 5 by Amanda N. (Murfreesboro, TN)

The Clouds Beneath The Sun
I gave up on this book after 300 pages. I desperately wanted to like this book. The setting was interesting and the plot line had promise. Unfortunately, the pacing dragged and the dialogue was horribly stilted. I finally put the book down when I realized that wanting to know how it ended was still not enough of a reason to finish. Perhaps Ford should stick to non-fiction.

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