People naturally want to know what Bentari is about.

You may read on these blog pages a lot about the story and the making of the story.

But, when asked the simple question, what it is about, I often say something like this.

Bentari is a story about Africa. The story revolves around a very young native boy whose loving parents share mixed ancestry. Their tribe is living on the uncomfortable edge between age-old ways and the modern world. And the lessons of contemporary culture are sadly taught by the combined masters of colonialism and war. It’s a tough spot.

The story is panoramic. It’s about nature’s beauty surrounding grim death. It’s about animals. It’s about trees. It is about the earth herself and how she shudders, shrugs and erupts—how she endures—and how people endure with her. How people have decisions to make, and how answers remain elusive. The story is about Bentari, how he climbs, how he flies, and how he helps his people when a battle finds them. It’s about danger—and about safety. Mostly, Bentari is about love.

Now that you know what the pages tell, please buy Bentari, read it, and share it—and climb!

Photo: At the Caldera, Browns and friends share a toast to advance copies of Bentari