A review by layiling
An Indian Among Los Indígenas: A Native Travel Memoir by Ursula Pike

Finished this book in a couple of days. I hadn't heard of this book before stumbling on it in a bookstore; the bright cover drew me in, as well as the description. This perspective is rare, and I was interested in the nuances of identity and experience the author promised to present. Like the author says, I'm interested in seeing other reports by POC in the Peace Corps; I'm sure many come to similar conclusions (i.e. the 'giver' gains much more than the 'receiver'). Another review I skirted over before finishing the book complained the narrative dove too much into the author's affair. I agree; toward the second half, if began to read more like a romance novel, and I lost some interest. But this is a memoir, and clearly the author wanted to sort some things out through writing it.

I think this should be required reading for anyone looking to join the Peace Corps. As a general read, it was interesting and engaging, and short enough to read quickly.