What do readers think of The Clouds Beneath the Sun by Mackenzie Ford? Write your own review.

Loved the African setting, the descriptive language made me feel like I was there. Reading about paleontology, Masai customs, western and tribal law was very interesting. The love story and details about each of the characters made this a book I didn't want to put down. A very enjoyable read.

An archeologist excavation in Kenya filled with brilliant paleontologists is the setting of the book…the characters' work, cultural differences, and inter-personal relationships encompasses the main plot. In the first few pages the main character, Natalie Nelson, is on her way from Cambridge University to the camp, and she comes across a herd of elephants actually carrying out a mourning ritual...her first glimpse of the mesmerizing sights and sounds of Africa. The descriptions of the wildlife in Africa and the land itself was vividly and beautifully described by Mackenzie Ford.

The book was a little slow, but does become a lot better in terms of "action" as you turn the pages to the final chapters....the focus of the archaeological dig, the murder trial, Natalie's turmoil dealing with it, the power of money, societal issues within Africa, relationship issues among a group of people working and living together, personal secrets, and family issues that included sibling rivalry, betrayal, and deceit keep your interest.

It wasn't a riveting novel, but it was intense at times, and it did bring you culturally into another very interesting society. The characters were well developed, and you could feel their pain, fear, triumphs, comradery, and all emotions that may have been felt from living in the middle of a beautiful, exotic African landscape. Being a passionate, knowledgeable paleontologist would have been even more helpful for enjoying the book.

My rating is a 4/5 because the "dig" was very interesting and the cultural aspect made you think how we are all the same, but also different. Even though the ending depicted the beautiful symbolism of the Maasai people, it will haunt you and make you realize what cunning, cruel, jealous, self-motivated creatures we humans can be.

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.

A good, semi challenging summer read. Set in Kenya, it offers a colorful look at the flora and fauna as well as the backdrop to the political machinations prior to independence. It is underscored by a murder mystery that leaves the reader morally ambivalent. The female lead in the novel leaves this female reader cold perhaps because the author is male and doesn't adequately express the complexities of her heart and mind.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Ford is a creative writer who has a talent for drawing good characters and giving a sense of what a dig in Kenya would really be like. This book was a page-turner for me and I had to hold myself back from peaking ahead to find out how everything comes out. Highly recommended!

I was disappointed with this book for several reasons. I thought the description and history of the Serengeti and Kenya were descriptive and knowledgeable, but the characters were not that likable. I think the story was drug out a bit, and incidents seemed contrived. If you like Africa has a setting, you may enjoy.

A real non-stop read for me. The book's appeal is on so many levels: paleontology, Massai tribal customs and mores, Western jurisprudence vs tribal law, and, of course, the inevitable love triangle, with a sprinkling of aviation and scuba!

I found the plot to be well-paced throughout the story, with the unexpected 'kicker' at the end.

I can sincerely recommend this book!

Having been to the Serengeti on safari, I was anxious to read this book. It brought back wonderful memories of camp life. I can still see the Masai men in their bright red robes standing with their spears. The book was descriptive of the plains without being too detailed. The characters, you felt like you knew them, anxious for them and so sad when their lives changed so dramatically. I loved the book so much, what can I possibly read next?