 |
Wild Honey
By Bookey Peek Price: $26.95 |
Troubles aside, the real stars of Bookey’s story are “Poombi” the warthog and “Badge” the honey badger.
Since All the Way Home, Poombi has relinquished her place on the family sofa and been reintegrated into the wild. She’s produced numerous generations of offspring, all of whom like to pop into the sanctuary and cause a little havoc.
Badge is the new orphan on the block. Honey badgers are described by Robert Ruark as ‘the meanest animal in the world’ but this delightful little monster steals Richard and Bookey’s hearts the moment he’s delivered to them in a smelly little shoe box. Much to her son David’s bemusement, Badge is moved into his own bedroom and in David’s opinion raised with as much love and a lot less discipline than he was given!
About the Author
Bookey Peek enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Zimbabwe’s Bvumba mountains and then spent ten years travelling the world. She qualified as a lawyer in Australia but was only too happy to leave the corporate world and return to life in the Zimbabwean bush when she met and married childhood sweet heart Richard Peek.
Reviews
"Buderim is her home away from home. In fact, it's a world away. Bookey Peek's other home is in the Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe, where she and her husband Richard Peek run safari tours and promote conservation on their wildlife sanctuary Stone Hills...[Wild Honey] follows Bookey and Richard's attempts to house train and discipline an orphaned honey badger, Badge. Bookey recounts their lives with the animals in an amusing context."
- Buderim Weekly
"A little piese of Zimbabwe captured attention of Yorketown Area School Students, as well as members and supporters of the Friends of the Yorketown Community Library, with the recent visit of author Bookey Peek... She entertained students and adults with stories and photographs of her life in the African bush, and the trials of running a sanctuary in Zimbabwe. "
- Yorke Peninsula Country Times
"I just want to quote one of your sentences...where you say "It is impossible to raise a warthog and not fall in love with her but, like most wild animals, once they grow up you can't share your house with them." There's some great truisms in life and that one's certainly right up there!...Gee it's been great seeing you again after 3 years. I can't wait for your next book to come out so you can come back for another chat. It's been so great to have you here. Thank you so much."
- Richard Fidler, "Conversation Hour", 612 ABC Brisbane & 702 ABC Sydney
"Africa comes to Yorketwon Library...The Peeks are some of the last people still hanging on to their wildlife sanctuary, Stone Hills Game Sanctuary, in a country lurching from one crisis to another."
- Yorke Peninsula Country Times
"...giving us an insider's view of the local African landscape, abundant wildlife and colourful visitors...Peek's fascinating stories are not driven by narrative but jump from animal adventure to guesthouse misadventure amid the fragility of life in her wild corner of this sad and volatile country."
- The Weekend Australian
"A couple of years ago we spoke to a lady named Bookey Peek who had written a really entertaining book titled "All the Way Home". Those who read that book will be delighted I'm sure to learn that she's followed it up with a book titled "Wild Honey". Another captivating collection of tales from the Motobo Hills...I think it is even better than the first one which I thought was a fascinating read.."
- Steve Gordon, radio 6PR and 96FM Perth
"Phillip, I enjoy your program immensely on a regular basis. I especially enjoyed your chat with Bookey Peek, what a thoroughly delightful person. To have such a wonderful outlook on life amidst all the turmoil in Zimbabwe is truly inspirational. I thought I had it tough but Bookey brings a smile to my face just thinking of her, thank you very much for introducing her to me and other gladies. I can't wait to read her books, they are on the way!"
- Jim Picone, Listener to Radio National with Phillip Adams
"Wonderful to hear your chat with Bookey Peek yesterday, and for me a welcome flashback from my Sydney studio. I grew up in Bulawayo, spending many a happy holiday in the Matopos, and then going to school not far away. The extraordinary natural attraction of the hills was rivalled by the San rock art, as you spoke about."
- Simon Barlow, Listener to Radio National with Phillip Adams
"Listener, this book is not simply recommended. It is madated! It is compulsory for you to go out and buy at least 3 copies so Bookey can keep doing her great work."
- Phillip Adams, 'Late Night Live', Radio National
"Don't mess with this honey monster! How one couple's adopted badger showed them who was boss..."
- www.dailymail.co.uk
"If you're one of those people who don't believe animals have feelings, go somewhere else. This book is not for you. If, however, you're interested in the colourful, courageous and inspiring story of one family living in a quiet corner of Zimbabwe, this is touching, moving stuff. Ostensibly a book about raising a honey badger, one of Africa's most ferocious little animals, "Wild Honey" is about so much more than that. Most noticeably, it is about how a love of wildlife can make you rise above the terrible story that is modern-day Zimbabwe...quite simply, a gem."
- HealthSmart magazine
"News media reports of life in Zimbabwe show devastation, despair and country in economic ruins. But there is often a silver lining in the greyest clouds...and author Bookey Peek writes of her daily life on an African Wildlife Sanctuary in Zimbabwe in two books, first in "All the way home", now the follow up, "Wild Honey: More stories from an African Wildlife sanctuary".
"
- Peter Godfrey, Radio Adelaide
"A bit like Gerald Durrell...It's an amazing life..."
- Carole Whitelock, ABC 891