No Picnic on Mount Kenya (Italian: Fuga sul Kenya) by Felice Benuzzi is a mountaineering classic recounting the 1943 attempt of three escaped Italian prisoners of war to reach the summit of Mount Kenya.
Author: Felice Benuzzi
Original Title: Fuga sul Kenya
Language: English
Genre: Narrative history
Published: 1953 (USA), 1947 (Italy)
Pages: 239
Synopsis
No Picnic on Mount Kenya by Felice Benuzzi recounts the incredible 1943 escape of three Italian prisoners of war from Camp 354 near Nanyuki, Kenya, during World War II. Benuzzi, along with fellow prisoners Dr. Giovanni Balletto and Vincenzo Barsotti, decided to climb Mount Kenya, using improvised equipment and meager rations. Their journey was an audacious and dangerous attempt to escape the monotony and hardship of the prison camp.
The three men made their way up the mountain despite their lack of proper gear. They managed to reach 5,000 meters on the north face of the Petit Gendarme before the ill-health of one of the men forced a halt. After 18 days in the wilderness, they returned to the camp, where they were arrested. However, their feat earned them admiration, and they were only given a brief period of solitary confinement instead of severe punishment.
The book, first published in English in 1952 and Italian in 1947, is a gripping adventure story that highlights human resilience and the determination to escape even the harshest of situations. It also serves as an exploration of the relationship between freedom and confinement, and the spirit of adventure that can arise even in the most desperate circumstances.
Background and History
The book is based on Benuzzi’s personal experience as a prisoner of war in Kenya. He, along with his companions, took the unusual decision to climb Mount Kenya after growing tired of their imprisonment. The entire experience, including their interactions with wildlife, the challenges posed by the terrain, and their eventual return to the camp, is written with vividness and emotion that bring the adventure to life.
Publishing History
Felice Benuzzi wrote the book while still in the POW camps, with versions in both English and Italian. The English version was published by William Kimber in 1952 with the title No Picnic on Mount Kenya. The book has since been translated into several languages, including French and German, and it continues to be a popular narrative of wartime escape and adventure.
About the Author
Felice Benuzzi was born in Vienna on 16 November 1910 and grew up in Trieste. He was an avid mountaineer, having climbed the Julian Alps and the Dolomites. During World War II, he served in the Italian Colonial Service and was captured during Italy’s involvement in Abyssinia. After the war, he joined the Italian Diplomatic Service, serving in various posts, including Paris, Brisbane, and West Berlin. He later became the Italian Ambassador to Montevideo and retired to Rome, where he continued his work with the Antarctic delegation. He passed away in 1988.
Adaptations
- Film: The book was adapted into a film in 1994 titled The Ascent, directed by Donald Shebib and written by David Wiltse.
- Television: In 1953, an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents was based on the book.
Key Themes and Impact
The adventure described in No Picnic on Mount Kenya explores the essence of freedom versus confinement, the human spirit’s resilience in the face of dire conditions, and the meaning of escape. The book has been highly regarded not only as a mountaineering classic but also as an inspiring story of perseverance.
Benuzzi’s narrative is widely appreciated for its simplicity and vivid storytelling, making readers feel as though they were part of the adventure, experiencing the tension, the triumphs, and the struggles of the climbers. The Benuzzi Col on Mount Kenya is named in his honor.
