Cry Maasai


Fiction - Adventure
138 Pages
Reviewed on 08/20/2016
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Author Biography

Robert Balchus was born in Philadelphia, and is a UCLA graduate. Actor, novelist, screenwriter, and producer he has worked with the top international names in film and tv both in the U.S. and Europe. Among his works are Mauro Bologni's award-winning FAREWELL MOSCOW, starring Liv Ullman, Sergei Bondarchuk's mini-series AND QUIET FLOWS THE DON, starring Rupert Everett and Ben Gazzara, and "spaghetti western" director Pasquale Squitieri's THE THIRD SOLUTION, starring Danny Aiello and F. Murray Abraham. He presently resides in Rome (Italy) where he conducts Workshops in Intercultural Communication, coaches writing and is an American Quarter Horses buff.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

Cry Maasai is an adventure by Robert Balchus. Maasai tribes struggle to preserve their primitive culture in a modernizing nation. Unscrupulous Tanzanian officials want to relocate the impoverished tribes so they can develop their lands. Soil expert Danny Manning is sent by the U.N. to test the proposed site and goes on an inspection tour. A Maasai warrior, separated from his group while hunting a troublesome lion, runs into the path of Danny’s vehicle and is hit. The other warriors become enraged and try to kill Danny, who manages to escape into the unfamiliar terrain. As he attempts to elude the warriors, Danny begins to connect with the spirit of the jungle, while relying on his intuition to survive in order to outwit his pursuers.

Cry Maasai is a wonderful story that tells how a man from the western world realizes what really matters in life after he becomes the hunted in the wilderness. I enjoyed the exciting, adventurous escapade the author took me on, and thought the protagonist and some of the tribal characters were quite worthy and convincing. Robert Balchus also writes a realistic, reflective account of the pros and cons of technology in regards to the Maasai tribal beliefs, and the corrupt politics that often override the needs of the minority. The dialogue was engaging and unforced in a fast paced story. I was not disappointed with the content. Robert Balchus’ strong, appealing writing style will please readers who like good drama and adventure novels.

Steven Ursino

I have read this book twice! I was fully immersed in the story of Danny as he struggles to survive in an environment where Masai tribal traditions are threatened. In the chase, one understands the impact of encroachment on pristine environments and peoples in the name of development and modernization. The Masai send a clear message that is just so much more and goes way beyond than just"hunting" down Danny. A beautifully written story that simply makes us understand preservation of the tribal customs and tranditions and their environments demand more respect, understanding and mutual cooperation. This is two stories in one - hence double satisfaction