Comments on: A Death in Brazil: A Book of Omissions http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/ Best books about Brazil Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:10:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Douglas Hileman http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Douglas Hileman Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:11:04 +0000 http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/#comment-134 i have been to brazil and enjoyed it immensely, my favorite part of the country being salvador, bahia. i picked up this book with some interest, and was gratified that it provided so much more than a fluffy novel. the author moves from sugar plantations to conversations with a bar owner to military rule to endemic corruption to street kids to issues of race - within 5 or 6 pages. and none of it feels forced, he provides insightful details that explain so much to people accustomed to western cultures - or even other latin american cultures to those who have traveled outside the u.s. <br /> <br />part history, part novel, part memoir, the book is worth a read to anyone with an interest in brazil. it will entertain while you learn - i wish history had been this intriguing when i took it in school. Rating: 5 / 5 i have been to brazil and enjoyed it immensely, my favorite part of the country being salvador, bahia. i picked up this book with some interest, and was gratified that it provided so much more than a fluffy novel. the author moves from sugar plantations to conversations with a bar owner to military rule to endemic corruption to street kids to issues of race – within 5 or 6 pages. and none of it feels forced, he provides insightful details that explain so much to people accustomed to western cultures – or even other latin american cultures to those who have traveled outside the u.s.

part history, part novel, part memoir, the book is worth a read to anyone with an interest in brazil. it will entertain while you learn – i wish history had been this intriguing when i took it in school.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Vanessa http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Vanessa Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:45:55 +0000 http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/#comment-133 Gripping book about Brazil that captures the feel and contrasts of the country's many dimensions. <br /> <br />The Collor/PC Farias story is just one of many. Just read the paper everyday in Brazil. <br /> <br />Like Mr Stroll, I also think the author does injustice to ex-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso and idolizes Lula too much. Especially since there is an epitath to the book. Lula has now governed for 4 years and : <br /> <br />- continued Fernando Henrique's sound economic policies, which were the basis for his government <br />- his government (and party and allies) were caught up in a series of corruption scandals, which would make a book by itself <br />- has now been reelected (thanks to sound economic policies ...) <br />- Collor has also been elected as senator and invited by Lula to contribute to the new government .. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Rating: 4 / 5 Gripping book about Brazil that captures the feel and contrasts of the country’s many dimensions.

The Collor/PC Farias story is just one of many. Just read the paper everyday in Brazil.

Like Mr Stroll, I also think the author does injustice to ex-president Fernando Henrique Cardoso and idolizes Lula too much. Especially since there is an epitath to the book. Lula has now governed for 4 years and :

- continued Fernando Henrique’s sound economic policies, which were the basis for his government

- his government (and party and allies) were caught up in a series of corruption scandals, which would make a book by itself

- has now been reelected (thanks to sound economic policies …)

- Collor has also been elected as senator and invited by Lula to contribute to the new government ..

Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Anonymous http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Anonymous Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:27:56 +0000 http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/#comment-132 This book is very strange. It is neither an academic essay nor a good analisys of Brazilian history and costumes.It is a combination of everything that ends up being very dissapointing. <p>For a brief book on Brazilian history, I reccomend "Brazil: Five Centuries of Change" by Thomas Skidmore. It is an excellent first step on the subject. Rating: 2 / 5 This book is very strange. It is neither an academic essay nor a good analisys of Brazilian history and costumes.It is a combination of everything that ends up being very dissapointing.

For a brief book on Brazilian history, I reccomend “Brazil: Five Centuries of Change” by Thomas Skidmore. It is an excellent first step on the subject.
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> By: KSG http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-131 KSG Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:09:36 +0000 http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/#comment-131 It started out promising - the perils of present day Rio- but then it turns into a very messy history book. It's full of interesting facts and it inspires a great reading list, but it was a real chore to finish. A rambling romp through Brazil's sexy and horrible history. Rating: 2 / 5 It started out promising – the perils of present day Rio- but then it turns into a very messy history book. It’s full of interesting facts and it inspires a great reading list, but it was a real chore to finish. A rambling romp through Brazil’s sexy and horrible history.
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> By: Miran Ali http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Miran Ali Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:57:49 +0000 http://booksaboutbrazil.com/2009/10/29/a-death-in-brazil-a-book-of-omissions/#comment-130 An interesting enough book, with great descriptions of the cuisine and the people. A bit too leftist for my tastes, but as long as you take the politics with a hefty pinch of salt or better still ignore it entirely, it's quite harmless. <br /> <br />The most irritating thing, however, is the overuse of italics. About half way through the book, that's going to really start getting on your nerves. <br /> Rating: 2 / 5 An interesting enough book, with great descriptions of the cuisine and the people. A bit too leftist for my tastes, but as long as you take the politics with a hefty pinch of salt or better still ignore it entirely, it’s quite harmless.

The most irritating thing, however, is the overuse of italics. About half way through the book, that’s going to really start getting on your nerves.

Rating: 2 / 5

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