Too Close to the Sun: The Audacious Life and Times of Denys Finch Hatton

Denys Finch Hatton was the second son of an earl, a highly privileged aristocrat who seemed to have everything: good looks, charm, adored by men and women alike. Denys' family could trace their ancestry back to Sir Christopher Hatton, Queen Elizabeth's courtier. However his personal claim to fame teeters on a very flimsy base: he was the lover (among others) of two famous women- Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) and Beryl Markham, British East Africa's literary doyennes. Without "Out of Africa" and "West with the Night" Denys would long ago have disappeared, plowed under by the bulldozer of history. It is almost impossible to flesh him out although this thorough biography tries hard and presents a great deal of information. The real Denys is still elusive. It is difficult to appreciate just what it was that made him so universally acclaimed and to this reader, at least, he remains an enigma.Too close to the sun refers, of course, to the flight of the Greek Icarus whose father Daedalus crafted for his son feathered wings soldered together with wax. The young man in exhilaration flew so close to the sun that the wax melted and he plummeted to his death.The title of Wheeler's biography is very pertinent to the life of Denys Finch Hatton. The metaphor of the book title is that Denys had the opportunity and talent to achieve success and fame from his own merits and efforts, but instead he only lives on in the works of others. And of course his plane crashes, like Icarus plunging to earth, his wings destroyedDenys was languid and totally without ambition, not competitive although he did hate losing a game such as chess. His inheritance and social standing, even in British East Africa, allowed him to rub shoulders with the moneyed, titled class of British colonists. The British ex- patriots took their class distinctions right to BEA (later Kenya).As an aristocrat he could hobnob with the titled as could Karen Blixen by virtue of her title, BaronessA great deal of background information is provided in the book such as descriptions of Denys' family and his activities in Africa during World War I. But let us cut to the chase and introduce Tania, Denys' name for Karen Blixen. Although several reviewers have remarked upon author Wheeler's dislike for Tania, I felt that Wheeler's portrait is quite reasonable. She describes Tania as "neurotic" and without a sense of humor. Tania considered her life a performance and wanted to be the heroine of every scene, having a high regard for her own importance and her own place. She may have loved her native servants but Wheeler remarks that her Africans were actually extensions of the African landscape.Nobody would describe Tania as easy to get along with but "Out of Africa" and her short stories propelled her into a plane far above Denys Finch Hatton : she was not Icarus, her wings got singed but she kept them intact. She lost Denys and she lost her African farm but she achieved immortality through the majesty and beauty of her writing. "Out of Africa" is sublime. Her biggest mistake as regards her relationship with Denys was that she became too possessive. Denys wanted total freedom with no restraints and Karen's clutching of him drove him right into the arms of Beryl Markham , a notorious bed-hopper who wanted freedom to do whatever she wanted, just like Denys. Author Wheeler describes the relationship of Tania and Finch Hatton as being like two beaters of a rotary whisk that spin and never touch, an extraordinary metaphor that seems spot on.Author Wheeler excuses any faults and eccentricities of Denys but she does not excuse Karen Blixen. Tania was very strange, very outré and at times could act ludicrously. Her servants had to wear white gloves when serving dinner and she and Denys dressed for dinner even when they were alone. That Tania adored Denys there is no doubt but did he adore her? No. She was convenient, her house was convenient and although he surely enjoyed her company as long as she didn't try and ensnare him into a permanent relationship (marriage) things went well. However, he could be cruel. The two lovers had a code for any future child of theirs -Daniel. When Denys was away. Tania was sure she was expecting and wired him. He replied "Strongly urge you cancel Daniel's visit."* In other words, get an abortion.Although others have described Denys as a "Renaissance Man" he did not achieve enough to earn that description. He was a big game hunter, consorted with the Prince of Wales, and Kermit Roosevelt and other wealthy safari clients. Perhaps his greatest achievement was his attempt to interest clients in photographing the wildlife rather than shooting it. Not exactly an over-whelming achievement.Wheeler's biography is very well written in a distinctive style. But I found myself skipping chapters to get to the meat of the biography- Karen Blixen. That is not the fault of the author, it's just that Denys without Tania, or Beryl Markham for that matter, doesn't interest me.*Denys'wire has been disputed as no record of it now exists. Judith Thurman mentions it in her book "Isak Dinesen". It does seem out of character that Denys would wire anything so hurtful to his lover or to anyone for that matter.

I wish I'd had the chance to meet Finch Hatton. Like most people fortunate enough to know him during his life, I probably would have found myself irresistably drawn to his potent blend of charm, grace, and polish, helpless to resist the man. This situation probably wasn't a problem for casual acquaintances but those who loved him eventually had their hearts broken for in the end, the man shrank from commitment of any type. Whether it was settling down on "the farm" with his lover Karen Blixen or pursuing any given vocation for long, Denys just couldn't (or wouldn't) do it. Boundaries and conventional choices were anathema to this man.Over the years, I've read everything I can get my hands on about this fascinating, enigmatic man and "Too Close to the Sun" confirmed my opinion that while Denys' personality was deeply magnetic, he was essentially unknowable; he kept everyone--friends, family, and strangers alike--at arms' length. And despite his considerable and varying accomplishments (soldier, white hunter, conservationist, and learned esthete, to name just a few), it appears the man also was profoundly self-centered, incapable of putting others' needs above his own. That said, Sarah Wheeler has amply documented here how Denys was consistently honest about his limits as a friend, romantic partner, sibling, son, or business partner. However, anyone who's ever loved another deeply can attest to the fact that such honesty is usually cold comfort. In reading about him in Wheeler's book, my heart again broke for Karen Blixen. Obviously, she loved Denys deeply and at least for a while, he returned her feelings. However, in the end, his aversion to dealing with her problems and being tied down split them apart.Over the years, some speculation has emerged that perhaps the reason he couldn't/wouldn't commit to any woman was because Denys Finch Hatton was bisexual or even gay. Little documentation exists to prove or disprove such an assertion though it's certainly quite possible. However, if Finch Hatton's life (short as it was) is examined as a whole, it would appear that like many other well-off Brits of his day who came to Kenya, he was drawn there because of its general lack of boundaries, both physical and psychological. Here he was unfettered by the demands of the English society structure into which he had been born and this became his defining personality trait.As Wheeler shows in this book, by the time Finch Hatton died in 1931 while still only his early forties, he had actually "accomplished" relatively little. However, there at the end of his life, Denys was becoming progressively more involved in the nascent conservation movement emerging in Kenya. In a few more years, who knows what he might have accomplished, using his charm, connections, and passion for the bush and its wildlife? Sadly, we'll never know. However, everything I've read about Finch Hatton, including the fascinating tale of his life brought to us here by Sara Wheeler, suggests that should more time have been granted to him, no matter what, he would have remained a free spirit.

Interesting story..

This book would seem to be a carefully researched perspective on one of Kenya's early pioneers; another side of a multifaceted relationship that was bought to the public by Isak Dinesen, a pen name used by the Danish author Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke, in her now famous Out of Africa, a memoir of her life in Kenya.Perhaps a more accurate and dispassionate portrayal of the man she undoubtably loved, and her life in the turbulent difficult and exciting times of Kenya's early pioneers, it rIngs true to a third generation ex bush pilot who was familiar with the areas, clubs, family's and skies of that wild and beautiful country.My grandparents and parents moved and mingled with many of the characters mentioned. I live a few miles from that house at the coast, flew the routes taken by the principle chapters who were living history, and lived as a boy not far from that coffe farm that consumed so much of her life.I found it moving, fascinating and wholly believable. It is a beautifully written most enjoyable account of the life and times of my grandparents generation. I can highly recommend it.

To be honest I preferred the second half of the book....from where Denys arrived in Africa. The first half related to his childhood and teenage years growing up in UK. Whilst interesting enough it was for the second half of the book that I bought it and it didn't disappoint. Incidents mentioned are often the same as in many other books about Kenya and about the Wanjohi Valley and the settlers. Some exact quotes and others giving the same event but with a different slant on it depending on who is telling the tale. The Royal safaris were a part of this second half and also Denys' switch to conservation and photographic safaris rather than always killing animals. The situation we have today with wild life in Africa was the same Denys could visualise back then in the 1930s and sadly has come about and is still getting worse by the day. This book gives an insight into what made Denys Finch Hatton the man he was...well liked and remembered fondly. Some aspects were portrayed by Robert Redford in Out of Africa but nothing like as informative as this book.

If I was only allowed to read one more book in my life, "Too Close to The Sun" would be the book...without any doubt.!!! This very special scribe is a blue print of what we all try to aspire too in life. It is set in the early 20th Century and through the prism of the central character we can with our own eyes learn to appreciate nature in the raw, gallantry, decency and self preservation.

I really enjoyed this book. An interesting biography with very complete geographical, political and social background information integrated into the story most elegantly.

Fascinating depiction of this charismatic character who lived through a very exciting time in Africa's history. Wonderfully told by Sara Wheeler.