THE LOST CITY OF Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon– David Grann (Author)
While surfing the net I came across an article which talked about Amazon Obsession. Clicking the mouse a few times brought me to this book and just reading the summary I knew that I had to read it.
In 1925, the legendary British explorer Percival (Percy) Harrison Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to make a historic discovery but then he and his expedition along with his son disappeared. Almost 80 years later the author after stumbling upon some hidden diaries embarked on a similar journey to find out what happened to Percy Fawcett and his famous “City of Z”.
There are two stories which run parallel in the book, one of Percy Fawcett and the other of author David Grann. As the book opens we find out who Percy Fawcett was, this life,his old expeditions and why he thought that an El-Dorado type city which he named “Z”existed in the heart of the Amazon. Throughout his journey we are reminded how hostile the Amazonian Environment is. Either the person dies from yellow fever or malaria or if you were lucky to dodge it, you were sure to die from anacondas, piranha, electric eels. If that was not enough there are bugs the bite of which caused the human body to dissolve.
When Percy Fawcett disappeared a lot of expeditions went after him to find out what happened. It seemed death was the only outcome for who ever went that way. Percy’s wife till her last day believed that he was alive but was just lost somewhere in the jungle. Many years later the author embarks on a journey to find out the truth and give some closure.
It is a well written, page turning adventurous read which will make you feel as if you are on the journey with the explorers. The dangers they had to face and how amazon treats the visitors is gruesome. It is fascinating to live the expedition in early 1900’s with the British explorers and to re live it again in the modern world with the author. It is really interesting to find out how much the Amazon has changed in 80 or so years. Where they were just muddy tracks are now paved roads. Deforestation has caused major issues.
I am soo happy that this book will be made into a movie soon and is already in post production. Who doesn’t want to see what the amazon jungle looks like and not just that, have an adventure along the way. Though the trailer it not out yet, you can check out the details here: THE LOST CITY OF Z. I will not ruin the ending by telling you if the City of Z was for real or not, so run out and get the book.
Till then,
Happy Reading
