Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by guybrarian133
The Border by Erika Fatland
5.0
I found author Erika Fatland’s The Border to be a success on multiple levels. First and foremost of course is how well she showed the wide-spanning and complex range of Russia’s influence (and in many cases, scarring) across two continents. Considering how many time zones that Russia stretches over, I already didn’t expect its neighbors to have much similarity in regards to how their proximity has affected both their past and present.. But Fatland skillfully revealed an even greater abundance of difference than I ever would have anticipated through descriptions of visited locales, copious amounts of historical context, and numerous interviews. Even through her briefest described exchanges, it felt like she always managed to reveal volumes about a particular nation’s unique relationship with their Russian neighbor.
Also, while I have already visited many of Fatland’s itinerary stops through my past reading, I found myself exposed to an impressively sizable number of new countries. And even when journeying alongside the author to locations I’d been to previously, I was able to encounter both lots of fresh new sights and also plenty of new insight on these familiar corners of the world.
On top of all that, I still find myself soundly impressed overall by the book’s general premise. I feel like Fatland has inventively established a new travelogue model of exploring a country entirely through its numerous neighbors. And even if it’s been done already, I doubt that anyone has done so as extensively as the author did. I can quickly think of at least a half-a-dozen other nations who I’d like to see be given a similar treatment, and so I genuinely hope that others follow in Fatland’s footsteps soon.
This absorbing read is an absolute must for those like me, i.e., those who love going on eye-opening extensive travels without having to leave their favorite nook.
(Also, if you haven’t done so yet, please add Fatland’s previous work Sovietstan to your to-read list too)
Also, while I have already visited many of Fatland’s itinerary stops through my past reading, I found myself exposed to an impressively sizable number of new countries. And even when journeying alongside the author to locations I’d been to previously, I was able to encounter both lots of fresh new sights and also plenty of new insight on these familiar corners of the world.
On top of all that, I still find myself soundly impressed overall by the book’s general premise. I feel like Fatland has inventively established a new travelogue model of exploring a country entirely through its numerous neighbors. And even if it’s been done already, I doubt that anyone has done so as extensively as the author did. I can quickly think of at least a half-a-dozen other nations who I’d like to see be given a similar treatment, and so I genuinely hope that others follow in Fatland’s footsteps soon.
This absorbing read is an absolute must for those like me, i.e., those who love going on eye-opening extensive travels without having to leave their favorite nook.
(Also, if you haven’t done so yet, please add Fatland’s previous work Sovietstan to your to-read list too)