Kenya's Happy Valley and the High Priestess, A Random House Hit

 

Lately I have been pounding at keys, I needed to read not write this afternoon. I love Africa and have so much more to see there but a book I read today was such an insight to a Kenya from years ago, The Bolter by Frances Osbourne. It is the true story of, in her day, a most infamous Idina Sackville, high priestess of the Happy Valley debauch scene. Her bed was known as the battleground. Some of the white settlers in Kenya after WWI lived what in those days was unthinkable, the original Sex, Drugs and Jazz Band lifestyle, affairs and swapping with massive drinking and drugs. The stories played big in the world press and some of the moneyed set there certainly didn’t do much to curb their appetites. The book however did a great job in telling the story of a sad, confused and intelligent woman’s struggle and hope for love. Idina’s life was used by writers such as Michael Arlen and Nancy Mitford. The book is available by Random House, and well worth the read.