Wild Coast: Travels on South America's Untamed Edge by John Gimlette
| Wild Coast: Travels on South America's Untamed Edge by John Gimlette | |
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| Category: Travel | |
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Reviewer: Zoe Morris
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| Summary: Heading off to the end of the world and beyond, this is a fascinating tale about a place few of us with every be brave / crazy enough to visit. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 320 | Date: January 2011 |
| Publisher: Profile Books Ltd | |
| ISBN: 978-1846682520 | |
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Apart from knowing that it borders Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, a fact hammered into me in Year 8 Geography, I know very little about Guiana. And while you may think that's understandable, I'm not sure that it is, seeing as I read this book while living just two countries over. The thing is, it's a sort of tiny, forgotten country, isn't it? Over the years it has been involved in border disputes, has come under various nations' rule, and has changed names more often the P Diddy, and even after you take all that into account, I bet you can't think of a single thing there to go and see.
John Gimlette had other ideas though, and upon discovering long hidden family ties to the tiny nation decided a trip was in order. This book is the result of his trip to and research into the little known state, and it isn't half a fascinating read.
In my experience, travelling in South America is quite unlike travelling anywhere else in the world, but if this book is to be believed then I've had it lightly so far, never having had to dodge revolutions that are 'imminent', steer clear of man-sized otters, navigate waterways that are more prevalent than dry land or stay interested and not grossed out while visiting the site of mass suicide. Gimlette, needless to say, does all these things and more as he takes a walk on what is literally the wild side.
In a book like this it's important, if at times tricky, to keep it fun, real and relevant and not get too dogged down in the history. The key in this case appears to be to introduce the reader to as many colourful characters along the way as possible, filling in enough detail for us to be able to imagine them:
A few weeks later I had tea with an old bomb maker
The next morning I got a lift down the river with an old marijuana grower called Fridge.
To get to Cayenne, I hitched a ride with a physicist named Christian
In these instances, the journey is just as important as the destination, and not just because it takes as long to get anywhere as you'll stay on arrival.
Ultimately, Gimlette seamlessly weaves together his personal experiences with his pre-trip studies, and the result is a production that is half travelogue, half text book, with the concrete support of the latter complimented by the life and action of the former.
I'm not sure this book has made me want to make a trip over in that direction, but only because I feel like I've already experienced all the country has to offer without having to leave the sofa. The book is that good, the descriptions that detailed, that you can lose yourself in it so, so easily.
Comparisons to Bill Bryson are obvious but unavoidable, and if you're a fan of his work you'll get on well with Gimlette's style though it's a little more detailed in places. Even when covering more subdued topics, the tone is jovial (without being inappropriate) and there's a lot of dry humour throughout the book.
Highly recommended reading, for armchair travellers and global trotters alike.
Thanks go to the publisher for supplying this book.
For more on Latin America, Bookbag recommends a peek at The Island That Dared.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Wild Coast: Travels on South America's Untamed Edge by John Gimlette at Amazon.com.
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