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aindrila's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
So strange to read a book about a city you’re currently living in down to the street and recognising the places (and significantly one of neighbourhood character) the author describes! I’m glad I read this book a year and a half into living in Cairo as I was able to read the book and of Egyptian politics from an already informed perspective. Nevertheless, the book was incredibly enjoyable, and the personalities and histories are described so vividly.
The one thing to criticise was the sections on the archaeology. At times they were interesting when related to the impact of the revolution, especially in the south, or the continuity between ancient and modern Egypt. Otherwise, it felt sometimes disjointed or interruptive in the middle of an interesting political development or anecdote about a character.
The one thing to criticise was the sections on the archaeology. At times they were interesting when related to the impact of the revolution, especially in the south, or the continuity between ancient and modern Egypt. Otherwise, it felt sometimes disjointed or interruptive in the middle of an interesting political development or anecdote about a character.
eric_conrad's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
If this was my introduction to Peter Hessler, I doubt that I would seek out another book of his. I loved River Town and Oracle Bones, so I was excited to read his impressions of Egypt. Yes, there was the usual mix of local human interest stories and history, but for me and from what other reviews have said, the political sections dragged. Everything felt slow and sluggish.
The core difference for me is that in River Town, the struggle was for Peter to acclimate, whereas Buried is more about his observing others trying to acclimate. The book feels less personal. This doesn't diminish his ability to relate to people who come from different cultures, but the overall tone changed from his previous books.
The core difference for me is that in River Town, the struggle was for Peter to acclimate, whereas Buried is more about his observing others trying to acclimate. The book feels less personal. This doesn't diminish his ability to relate to people who come from different cultures, but the overall tone changed from his previous books.
kelsey_mary's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
A different historical event that I'm not familiar with, don't remember much
erboe501's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't know much about the Arab Spring or recent Egyptian history, and my knowledge of Ancient Egypt was also pretty limited. So, I really enjoyed learning about all three areas in this book, in addition to getting a glimpse into how a foreign correspondent lives and works abroad with a family.
Again and again I was struck by how restrictive women's lives are in Egypt today. Wahiba is one of the standout characters in the book, in my opinion. Her resilience and confidence were all the more impressive given the limited means by which she could voice her convictions. How she considered her niqab wearing, what it meant to those around her in different settings, exemplified the intelligence required of all Egyptian women navigating threatening and restrictive expectations of their movements and bodies. I would be very interested to have also gotten more of Hessler's wife's perspective being a female journalist.
Egyptian's friendliness and ingenuity also featured heavily in Hessler's interactions. He does a good job of creating a vivid landscape of community and events.
Again and again I was struck by how restrictive women's lives are in Egypt today. Wahiba is one of the standout characters in the book, in my opinion. Her resilience and confidence were all the more impressive given the limited means by which she could voice her convictions. How she considered her niqab wearing, what it meant to those around her in different settings, exemplified the intelligence required of all Egyptian women navigating threatening and restrictive expectations of their movements and bodies. I would be very interested to have also gotten more of Hessler's wife's perspective being a female journalist.
Egyptian's friendliness and ingenuity also featured heavily in Hessler's interactions. He does a good job of creating a vivid landscape of community and events.
annas_books_135's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0