Biruté Galdikas is one of Louis Leakey's "three angels": Jane
Goodall dedicated her life to the study of chimpanzees; Dian Fossey,
gorillas; and Galdikas, the orangutans of Borneo's rainforest. Dark
Place's author, Linda Spalding, says that Goodall is usually
described as the "good fairy" of the three, respected and adored by
all. Fossey, she says, died a martyr and was even compared to Jesus
Christ at her eulogy, despite being considered "mad, paranoid,
alcoholic, delusional, enormously daring, and vastly insecure." The
difficult path Galdikas followed in the shadow of these two has
attracted similar scrutiny--and, more recently, controversy. A Dark
Place in the Jungle tells the story of Spalding's "follow" of
Galdikas, her attempt to study the scientist as Leakey's angels
studied the great apes, observing her at a distance and noting her
behavior. She trails Galdikas in the States and travels to Borneo
three times in pursuit of the naturalist in her element. Spalding's
assessment of her is far from favorable or flattering: Galdikas is
portrayed alternately as conflicted, abrupt, arrogant, deceitful,
distant, and, ultimately, as having failed drastically in her mission
to "save" the orangutan from the press of human greed and
indifference in Borneo. In this way, Dark Place is a troublesome
read. As a travelogue, the book is magnificent. Spalding is an
observant, perceptive writer; her descriptions are lush, even
lyrical, and often insightful, especially the meditations on
motherhood and her reunion with her two young daughters, who travel
to Borneo with her. Passing judgment on Galdikas's alleged guilt and
Spalding's interactions with her is difficult, but Galdikas must
certainly address the issues Spalding has raised. --Paul Hughes
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