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eric_conrad's review
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
slow-paced
3.0
A different historical event that I'm not familiar with, don't remember much
erboe501's review
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.
titannineteen's review
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
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
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
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!