Don’t be deceived by the dinosaur on the cover; this book is not about dinosaurs. You will find annoying, racist, imperialistic men (and ape-men), but hardly any dinosaurs. Along with the unlikeable white men, the most ‘positive’ characterisation of a person of colour was that of Zambo, who was portrayed like a loyal dog. I enjoyed the stylistic choice of letters to an editor, but this book just got slower… and slower… and slower, until around 3/4 way through. The politics may be ‘of its time’, but this novel was boring - which is unexpected for one supposedly about dinosaurs.

I’d rather have read a novel about Gladys seeking glory of her own. Also, the title is way better than the characters own naming abilities - Maple-White Land??