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cmcarr's review
3.0
This wasn't quite what I had hoped in terms of the stories of the people along the river. I got the sense that this was a relatively quick trip to all of the spots on the river, so there aren't relationships developed with the individuals. Rather, they are interactions and a sharing of snippets of those individuals' life stories. It's good--but not at the level of connection you get from some travel writing.
I was also interested in my reaction to the focus of this book on change. It charts the evolution of the Magdalena across Colombian history, and the impact it has on people. I was struck by how in this moment we are so aware of the change in our world. In other times of my life, I'd say that years could fly by and it wouldn't be until I was forced to pause and reflect that I could see the changes that had happened. But in this pandemic world, change is such a part of our every day lives. Our routines, normalcy, and planning cadences have all been upended. We not only look at recent events and the way in which they changed, but it is also how we think about our futures--the ways in which we will change and adapt to the current world.
I was also interested in my reaction to the focus of this book on change. It charts the evolution of the Magdalena across Colombian history, and the impact it has on people. I was struck by how in this moment we are so aware of the change in our world. In other times of my life, I'd say that years could fly by and it wouldn't be until I was forced to pause and reflect that I could see the changes that had happened. But in this pandemic world, change is such a part of our every day lives. Our routines, normalcy, and planning cadences have all been upended. We not only look at recent events and the way in which they changed, but it is also how we think about our futures--the ways in which we will change and adapt to the current world.
ariannefowler's review
4.0
This is a wonderfully rich book. It feels like reading vignettes about the people in the villages and towns along the Magdalena River in Colombia. The personal stories are weaved together beautifully with the stories of the history and landscape of this part of Colombia. I found it to be engaging and interesting.