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titannineteen's review against another edition
4.0
I learned a lot from this book and it was really interesting! The writing is very smooth, despite jumping all over Egyptian history. Normally books like this are a slow read and a bit of a bore, but this book drew me in the whole time.
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
Guys... this might make my Christmas card top 5 this year. The Buried was THAT good, I'm still thinking about it! Peter Hessler combines archaeology, cultural and religious customs, politics, language, family relations, and the Egyptian Revolution and writes a compelling narrative of his family's time in Cairo through the lens of the Arab Spring. Peter, his Chinese wife, Leslie, and their two newborn twins settle in Cairo for several years and experience it all. I learned SO MUCH. And it wasn't dry or overwhelming; it was fascinating stuff! Sprinkled throughout would be tidbits about Chinese immigrants selling lingerie, the oppression of women, and anecdotes about the world's friendliest trash man, I can't get over how well this book read. This is definitely one I will come back to again. I've loved Egyptian history since I was a child and getting to read about it's modern day archaeology and it's political climate was so intriguing. It makes me want to go on an Egyptian reading binge. Wonderful, wonderful political/cultural/memoir. A must read!
corene's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciate Peter Hessler's work, and enjoyed how he wove in ancient history, language and current events. While finishing this book, Morsi died in the courtroom, and I wouldn't have known anything about him/the Arab Spring without having read this book. Having also lived in China, I appreciated his comparisons between the two cultures and languages.
themadmadmadeline's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this book was not at all what I expected. For some reason, I thought that this would be a fictitious story rather than a work of non-fiction.
I didn’t realize that Peter Hessler is world-reknown for his international journalism, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that his writing is just good, and not just in a journalistic sense.
His experiences living in the US and China and finally Egypt in this chapter of his life give him a unique perspective to compare and contrast three extremely different cultures in a poignant and fascinating way.
Hessler expertly weaves together narratives of a cast of characters in his Egyptian life (some humorous, and some downright HEART-WRENCHING), delving into what makes them tick, and how they fit in the larger infrastructure of Egypt. One thing that struck me is that the political disorganization of Egypt can paint a rather hopeless pictures (which Hessler does make a point of); but even more astounding, is his interpretation of the resilience of the Egyptian people and how they can even thrive in such an environment.
I wouldn’t say this is an easy read – it’s dense, long, and at some points meandering with a LOT of history and backstory. However, it was worth the opportunity to stretch my brain a little bit and to pick up something I honestly wouldn’t have read normally.
Definitely a masterful piece, this was a good “challenger” book to sink my teeth into!
I didn’t realize that Peter Hessler is world-reknown for his international journalism, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that his writing is just good, and not just in a journalistic sense.
His experiences living in the US and China and finally Egypt in this chapter of his life give him a unique perspective to compare and contrast three extremely different cultures in a poignant and fascinating way.
Hessler expertly weaves together narratives of a cast of characters in his Egyptian life (some humorous, and some downright HEART-WRENCHING), delving into what makes them tick, and how they fit in the larger infrastructure of Egypt. One thing that struck me is that the political disorganization of Egypt can paint a rather hopeless pictures (which Hessler does make a point of); but even more astounding, is his interpretation of the resilience of the Egyptian people and how they can even thrive in such an environment.
I wouldn’t say this is an easy read – it’s dense, long, and at some points meandering with a LOT of history and backstory. However, it was worth the opportunity to stretch my brain a little bit and to pick up something I honestly wouldn’t have read normally.
Definitely a masterful piece, this was a good “challenger” book to sink my teeth into!
coriandercake's review against another edition
1.0
This book was not about the Egyptian Revolution. There was no clear thesis in this book. It was a hodgepodge of Egyptian history and commentary on Hessler's reactions to Egyptian culture, with only brief discussions of the Revolution, which were ultimately shallow and underdeveloped. Most of the book was about sexism in Egypt. This was poorly handled, as Hessler seemed to focus on the most restrictive and misogynistic aspects of Egyptian culture, even as he alludes to more progressive ideas in society. There is no discussion of the conflicts between these views or movements to promote women's rights.
The history in this book was abysmal. Several times Hessler brought up Egyptians' deep connection to Egypt as a place, yet when he had the opportunity to discuss Ancient Egyptian pharaohs' reluctance to let their daughters marry outside of Egypt, he emphasized their desire to consolidate wealth and power through incest instead of exploring Egyptian attitudes toward death. For Ancient Egyptians, sending their daughters outside of Egypt condemned them to die in a foreign land, severing their souls from their homeland.
He does not discuss ma'at, potentially the most important Ancient Egyptian concept. This, too, would have fleshed out his discussion of Egyptian ideas of place. Instead, he argues that Ancient Egyptias had "no political philosophy" unlike the Ancient Greeks, who "thought on a different plane." This reeks of a colonial mindset, which is further problematized by his treatment of colonialism in the early 20th century. When discussing the theft of Nefertiti's bust, he refers to it a fair trade under an "old system". Only several paragraphs later does he bring up the fact that this old system was morally "murky". Colonialism and the theft of relics was not a murky issue. It was wrong. Full stop.
Overall, this book felt derogatory toward Egyptian culture and people. Its treatment of Egyptian history and social problems was shallow and reflected Western preconceptions more than it delved into these issues in a complicated and analytical manner.
The history in this book was abysmal. Several times Hessler brought up Egyptians' deep connection to Egypt as a place, yet when he had the opportunity to discuss Ancient Egyptian pharaohs' reluctance to let their daughters marry outside of Egypt, he emphasized their desire to consolidate wealth and power through incest instead of exploring Egyptian attitudes toward death. For Ancient Egyptians, sending their daughters outside of Egypt condemned them to die in a foreign land, severing their souls from their homeland.
He does not discuss ma'at, potentially the most important Ancient Egyptian concept. This, too, would have fleshed out his discussion of Egyptian ideas of place. Instead, he argues that Ancient Egyptias had "no political philosophy" unlike the Ancient Greeks, who "thought on a different plane." This reeks of a colonial mindset, which is further problematized by his treatment of colonialism in the early 20th century. When discussing the theft of Nefertiti's bust, he refers to it a fair trade under an "old system". Only several paragraphs later does he bring up the fact that this old system was morally "murky". Colonialism and the theft of relics was not a murky issue. It was wrong. Full stop.
Overall, this book felt derogatory toward Egyptian culture and people. Its treatment of Egyptian history and social problems was shallow and reflected Western preconceptions more than it delved into these issues in a complicated and analytical manner.
grimamethyst's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.0
jazzypizzaz's review against another edition
4.0
weaves together ancient Egypt, modern national politics, lives & perspectives of individuals, cultural/language education -- fascinating
amlagunas's review against another edition
4.0
Not what i expected, but great! Goes beyond "what happened" and gets to how it happened and what it felt like when it happened. Definitely interested in his other books!
danipooo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5