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A review by claudia_is_reading
Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle by Daniel L. Everett
4.5
Well, talk about going native!
I must say that my own ugly prejudices almost led me to ditch this book when I learn that the author was a missionary; I thought it was going to be condescending and paternalist. Boy, I was wrong!
I really found fascinating the evolution of the author in his vision of... well, everything, to be honest. The book is full of anecdotal stories, anthropological bits and, at some point, very heavy in linguistics (which I adore, mostly because he says that Chomsky is wrong :P) and a lot of philosophical contemplation about happiness and the pertinence of God on achieving it. (Spoiler: none at all)
Thought-provoking and mind-opening, this was a very interesting read and I really enjoyed it. I think that the audiobook format is the best way to appreciate it, though. Hearing how the Pirahas language sounds, so different to all that we know, is truly amazing
I must say that my own ugly prejudices almost led me to ditch this book when I learn that the author was a missionary; I thought it was going to be condescending and paternalist. Boy, I was wrong!
I really found fascinating the evolution of the author in his vision of... well, everything, to be honest. The book is full of anecdotal stories, anthropological bits and, at some point, very heavy in linguistics (which I adore, mostly because he says that Chomsky is wrong :P) and a lot of philosophical contemplation about happiness and the pertinence of God on achieving it. (Spoiler: none at all)
Thought-provoking and mind-opening, this was a very interesting read and I really enjoyed it. I think that the audiobook format is the best way to appreciate it, though. Hearing how the Pirahas language sounds, so different to all that we know, is truly amazing
"'The Pirahas know that you left your family and your own land to come here and live with us. We know that you do this to tell us about Jesus. You want us to live like Americans. But the Pirahas do not want to live like Americans. We like to drink. We like more than one woman. We don't want Jesus. But we like you. You can stay with us. But we don't want to hear any more about Jesus. OK?'"
Kind of a nice resume of 30 years of work *laughs*