Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29086 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'Robb is a superb stylist, and this brilliant dissection of modern Brazil is unputdownable' Sunday Times 'Outstanding a heady and fascinating picture of an extraordinary country' Daily Telegraph 'Fascinating and revealing It is the Brazil that Robb sees beyond the sensations that gives his book its great travelling dimension' New York Times 'It is compellingly readable and elegant. In fact, anyone planning a trip to Brazil should read this book' Daily Mail

Daily Telegraph
‘Outstanding … a heady and fascinating picture of an extraordinary country’

Sunday Times
‘Robb is a superb stylist, and this brilliant dissection of modern Brazil is unputdownable’

Customer Reviews

First class
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.

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 country which has yet to find a full expression of it's culture.

Though Robb shows his approval for Lulu, Brazil's current President, without qualifying or really examining if he has changed Brazil for the better. You can only admire his ability to present the histories, both old and new, of Brazil. Robb looks to try to make sense of the Brazil's present 'progress' with what has happened in it's colourful, but tragic past.

I was entranced by his descriptions of the old 'Palmares' settlement and the destruction of 'Canudos'. Rarely will you find an author that knows his subject so well and is able to get across so much in such an entertaining way. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone.

My only negative note is that he does not include any photographs of Brazil, the main political protagonists or places of interest which would have made it easier for me to get a proper understanding of the world he talks of.

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. Outlining the massive corruption of PC Farias under the regime of Fernando Collor de mella, the history of the slaves and and their community at Palmares and its inevitable destruction as well as the Canudos story. All this alongside a very cultured and evocative view of the Brazilian psyche, literary and televisual culture and food - makes this an involving read.

Some subjects I feel could have been covered in more depth but the author refers you to his sources easily and with enthusiasm. If you enjoy reading travelouges, history and/or exposés on nasty regimes of the past then this book is highly reccomended. Then again, even if you don't, give it a try.