The Color of the Elephant
An outstanding new voice in memoir, Christine Herbert takes the reader on a “time-machine tour” of her Peace Corps volunteer service as a health worker and educator from 2004–2006 in Zambia. Rather than a retrospective, this narrative unfolds in the present tense, propelling the reader alongside the memoirist through a fascinating exploration of a life lived “off the grid.”
At turns harrowing, playful, dewy-eyed and wise, the author’s heart and candor illuminate every chapter, whether she is the heroine of the tale or her own worst enemy. Even at her most petulant, the laugh-out-loud humor scuppers any “white savior” mentality and lays bare the undeniable humanity—and humility—of the storyteller. Through it all, an undeniable love for Zambia—its people, land and culture—shines through. A must-read for the armchair adventurer.
Reader Reviews
“BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN”
“Beautifully written, raw, and heartfelt, The Color of the Elephant showcases the profound joys and wild adventures of one Peace Corps Volunteer’s service in Zambia. With vivid descriptions, honest emotions, and a vulnerability of great heights, Herbert delivers an unforgettable tale of what it’s like to fulfill a dream and transform because of it.”
“LAUGHTER AND TEARS”
“So much personal and universal truth in this memoir… You hear, see, smell, taste, touch the heart of Zambia, told through a Peace Corps volunteer’s most intimate self-discovery. Dance in the aisle of a local church, bargain with the malaria gods, tuck an injured owl in the crook of your elbow, and burn your lips on steaming corn nshima. As much fun to read out loud as it is to curl up and read on one’s own.”
“DELIGHTFUL MEMOIR”
“If you enjoy reading about different cultures, you have to try this delightful memoir. Zambia comes alive as she recounts her years in the Peace Corps with colorful detail, humor, and a deep respect for its people.”
Editorial Reviews
“BY TURNS HEARTBREAKING AND HILARIOUS”
“Rendered with the immediacy of present-tense voice and a storyteller’s gift for vivid description… an engaging, polished memoir…”
“…CANDID, INTRIGUING…”
“The author bares all in a book that casts her in some difficult and embarrassing situations—a topic in which she excels.”