Delving into Brazil's baroque past, Peter Robb writes about its history of slavery and the richly multicultural but disturbed society that was left in its wake when the practice was abolished in the late nineteenth century. Even today, Brazil is a nation of almost unimaginable distance between its wealthy and its poor, a place of extraordinary levels of crime and violence. It is also one of the most beautiful and seductive places on earth. Using the art, food and the books of its great nineteenth-century writer, Machado de Assis, Robb takes us on a journey into a world like Conrad's "Nostromo". A world so absurdly dramatic, like the current president Lula's fight for power, that it could have come from one of the country's immensely popular TV soap operas, a world where resolution is often only provided by death. Like all the best travel writing, "A Death in Brazil" immerses you deep into the heart of a fascinating country.
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‘It is compellingly readable and elegant. In fact, anyone planning a trip to Brazil should read this book’ -- Daily Mail
‘It’s a brilliant piece of writing ... a dark and thrilling ride through Brazilian life and history … necessary reading’ -- Daily Express
‘Outstanding … a heady and fascinating picture of an extraordinary country’ -- Daily Telegraph
‘Robb is a superb stylist, and this brilliant dissection of modern Brazil is unputdownable’ -- Sunday Times
‘It’s a brilliant piece of writing ... a dark and thrilling ride through Brazilian life and history … necessary reading’ -- Daily Express
‘Outstanding … a heady and fascinating picture of an extraordinary country’ -- Daily Telegraph
‘Robb is a superb stylist, and this brilliant dissection of modern Brazil is unputdownable’ -- Sunday Times
About the Author
Peter Robb has lived in Europe and Brazil for much of his adult life. He now lives in Sydney, Australia.
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By londonwest12
Format:Paperback
Peter Robb's book is a masterpiece - nothing I have read in recent years comes as close to giving the reader a deep and meaningful insight into this fascinating country. From corruption to carnival, from history to food, Robb is the master of his topic and you move effortlessly through a book that is always a compelling read. You put 'A Death in Brazil' down at the end with that sense of regret you always get with a book that is a truly wonderful read. I was entertained and informed at the same time, and didn't want it to end. If you want a better understanding of Brazil - its terrible problems and its wonderful people and culture - simply don't hesitate to buy this book. Should the author chance to read this - I would just like to say thank you for a terrific piece of work.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an exceptionally good book: entertaining, informative and fascinating. It splits into three revolving strands. 1) The author's personal experience in Brazil (which sometimes reads like a thriller) including insights on culture, food and language, 2) the history of Brazil from it's colonisation by the Portuguese (which sometimes reads like a thriller) including views on why Brazil is so culturally different from the Spanish colonies, and indeed North America and 3) the recent history of Brazil (which is a thriller) from the military dictatorship until today's president Lula with amazing background on where Collor and Lula came from and what their entourage was all about. I wish there was a book like this on every country I ever visit.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By The Emperor
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An unexpectedly good book. He is a very good author. The subject matter was very interesting as well.
Makes English politics look a bit dull. It perhaps rambled a bit at the start but overall it was very enjoyable.
Makes English politics look a bit dull. It perhaps rambled a bit at the start but overall it was very enjoyable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
absolutely brilliant
Such an accessible and fascinating insight into one of the worlds most contradictory and complicated countries. The myth-busting element i especially loved. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Brittanica2101
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insight into Brazil
This book is excellent background for any traveller who wants to understand the Brazilians. It covers the history, politics, culture and social conditions from the first... Read more
Published 22 months ago by geoff H
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational and entertaining
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Brazil and its culture. I am Brazilian and have learnt a lot about my homeland and its history through it. Read more
Published on 20 July 2009 by P Mountford
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent overview of brazilian history
A thoroughly well written and researched book which helps to outline how and why Brazil became the country it is today. Read more
Published on 26 April 2009 by OLi
2.0 out of 5 stars
Try ignoring the bleeding heart
An interesting enough book, with great descriptions of the cuisine and the people. Far too leftist for my tastes, but as long as you take the politics with a hefty pinch of salt or... Read more
Published on 29 April 2007 by Miran Ali
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life, death, sex and everything in between
Peter Robb writes a tight book which manages to be expressive, entertaining and concise. He doesn't waste a word, and manages to keep you enthralled in the workings of a... Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2006 by D. Bowtell
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