Carveth Wells (1887–1957)

"Six Years in the Malay Jungle" is a memoir written by Carveth Wells, an American author and explorer. Published in 1939, the book recounts Wells' extraordinary experience living and surviving in the dense jungles of the Malay Peninsula for an extended period.

The narrative takes readers deep into the heart of the Malay jungle as Wells shares his firsthand encounters with its wild and untamed environment. Through vivid descriptions, he paints a picture of the lush vegetation, towering trees, diverse wildlife, and the ever-present challenges of surviving in such a hostile and unfamiliar terrain.

Wells narrates his journey from the initial exploration and establishment of his camp to the years of living among the indigenous tribes. He recounts the daily struggles for food, shelter, and protection from dangerous animals and insects. He also explores the different tribes' customs, rituals, and ways of life, providing a unique glimpse into their rich cultural heritage.

Throughout the book, Wells shares his personal reflections on the transformative power of living in harmony with nature and the profound impact it had on his own understanding of the world. He delves into the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of his jungle experience, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living beings and the lessons he learned about resilience and adaptation.

"Six Years in the Malay Jungle" offers readers an immersive and enlightening account of living in one of the world's most challenging environments. It captures the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world, the struggle for survival, and the cultural richness of the indigenous peoples.

Wells' memoir stands as a testament to human resilience, curiosity, and the quest for deeper meaning. It is a captivating exploration of the human spirit, the power of nature, and the transformative potential of stepping outside of one's comfort zone to embrace the unknown.… (más)

The native porters who accompanied Wells' expedition up Ruwenzori had never seen snow. They were given boots and other clothing to wear in the cold temperatures. "Apparently the boots we supplied hurt their feet. They had them strung around their necks and were wearing their stockings on their arms." As anyone knows who has seen shoes from the early part of the century, they were very small and narrow and naturally wouldn't have fit the feet of natives going barefoot all their lives.
Wells experienced a great deal. His writing style tends to be almost a list of the chronological happenings. There is little reflection, analysis, or insight about the people and the places. He gets three stars because of the unusual experiences he had.… (más)

At times Mr Wells reminded me of Ripley's Believe-it-or-Not. He tried to make all the differences between early 20th century Malaya and England sound amusing and of course, England always comes out much superior by comparison. He must have been a captivating speaker and filled lecture halls with happy listeners. This "gee-whiz those dark coloured folks are strange, their jungles are strange, the wildlife is strange" style doesn't work so well 100 years later, but the author is never unkind by his own lights and he does have some wonderful photographs. Also, he signed his name with the cutest little line drawing of an elephant.… (más)