Travel to Latin America

The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey

Format: Paperback
Author: Ernesto Che Guevara
ReleaseDate: 01 August, 2003
Publisher: Ocean Press
Rating:

Is Che Guevara a hero ?
Here is the hero in his own words:

"During the night I had a bad case of the runs and, being ashamed to leave a souvenir in the pot under my bed, I climbed out on to the window ledge and gave up all of my pain to the night and blackness beyond. Brad Delong, Matthew Yglesias, Armed Liberals and others have been having a discussion about whether Che Guevara can be considered a hero. The next morning I looked out to see the effect and saw that two metres below lay a big sheet of tin where they were sun-drying their peaches; the added spectacle was impressive. "

(From The Motorcycle Diaries)
Sorry, but I see nothing heroic in sticking one's arse out the window and letting drive onto a pile of fruit. I would never do that- but then, I'm not a communist.

I was recently in venezuela . . . I wish the people well. But I sadly fear that there are going to be a lot of tears shed when all is said and done.

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Lads on the road
Idealistic, cheeky, sexually libidinous, political, strong minded. The text of the original motorcycle diaries gives a strong sense, much more than the movie, of the factors that influenced this artist/activist as young man. Che and his older companion set off on a wild journey across South America. The wretched poverty they witness across that continent - especially when he shares a blanket with a destitute beggar high up on the Andean Sierra - strikes home, as well as some of the aesthetic beauties of the wild and mystical land, such as the Inca ruins around Cuzco, Peru. Che's description of the stonework at the Sacsaywaman fortress rivals the greatest travel writings of Robert Byron, Bruce Chatwin or Patrick Leigh Fermor in its stylishness and accuracy of description.

In places the narrative drags though, obviously written at points of sheer exhaustion, or boredom, or lack of inspiration. .

this translation leaves a lot unsaid
when the movie was in theatres i decided to read the book first so that i could understand the film better, but i chose to read it in the original spanish version. i really enjoyed the motorcycle diaries. it was thought provoking prose. i was impressed that such insight came from the child of a wealthy argentinean family. when i read the translation in english i was a little disappointed. i did think that it was very good, but a little bit of the nuance is lost. if at all possible i suggest that you read it in the original spanish text, it is a little bit more inspiring.

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