Launched by the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, this is an extraordinary travel/adventure tale. An undertaking against the odds. A journey considered by many as madness. Yet, South African born and ABC Person of the Week Marianne Du Toit was determined to follow her dream - adamant that with only two horses for company, she should explore the Americas, travelling from Argentina to New York City over 21 months. Limited equestrian experience, only one contact and an unknown continent, she persevered. Despite it being a journey of heartbreak, frustration, bureaucracy, loneliness, danger, and hunger, nothing stopped her from following her heart. Heart-warming encounters with local people combined with many hair-raising and dangerous moments make this book a page-turner. It's a simple tale, which explores the complexities of the human and equine spirit and indeed the marriage of the two. Both are pushed to the limits on this revealing epic journey, with very happy and very sad consequences. Courageous yet fragile, worried yet full of conviction, amongst people yet often lonely, carefree yet feeling unsafe - these are the themes which form part of the writer's physical and psychological journey into the unknown. Her adventures had a powerful message - you can overcome the impossible if you are determined and positive. Humour and a 'taking everyday as it comes' attitude helped a great deal too. Her story, told with sincerity and warmth, is bound to capture the readers' imagination. It is a story to be enjoyed by the young or old, fellow adventurers or those who simply prefer to explore the world from the comforts of their armchairs. More than 100 coloured pictures complete this unique story.
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About the Author
Marianne Du Toit is a South African woman who has been living in Ireland since 1996. Following graduation in 1992 with a BA degree, majoring in political science and psychology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Marianne travelled and worked extensively throughout Europe for three years. In 1995, she single-handedly planned and embarked on a three month cycling tour of Europe. In 2002 The TATA (Travels across the Americas) Challenge was conceived. It was an epic journey, which involved Marianne travelling solo with two horses from Argentina to New York over a 21 month period. Crying with Cockroaches, an account of this extraordinary adventure is her first book. As the idea for her adventure evolved, Marianne realised that it could also help others and chose to use it to highlight the lack of therapeutic riding facilities in Ireland. She is currently a director of Pegasus, a therapeutic riding centre in Sligo. Marianne campaigns for animal rights by supporting the DSPCA and other welfare organisations. She is particularly interested in drawing attention to the cruelty involved in the production of foie gras where ducks and geese are force-fed (by the insertion of metal pipes in their throats) over a twenty one day period. She also supports the movement to ban fur farming in Ireland and seal hunting in Canada.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Enthralling Adventure by a Remarkable Woman,
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This review is from: Crying with Cockroaches: Argentina to New York with Two Horses (Paperback)
Marianne du Toit tells the story of her great adventure - solo with two horses for 21 months from Argentina to New York - with eloquence and with a simplicity and honesty that is touching and heart-warming. It is just impossible not to fall under the spell of this charming, courageous and unassuming young woman, whose empathy with fellow beings and all living creatures shines through on every page. That her book universally evokes this feeling of affinity and rapport with the reader is borne out by the fact that every reviewer on Amazon in the US and UK describes it as inspirational. The author downplays the very real hardships and dangers that she faced, choosing to focus on the generosity of the local people and the sense of companionship with her two horses. Reading the book, which is beautifully produced with many colour photographs, turns into a life-affirming experience and bears testimony to the difference that one person can make in bringing about changes in the perception of many others. It challenges us to rediscover our humaneness in an age of confused values by showing what we are all capable of. The power of the book lies in bringing this message across without ever pretending to any higher mission, but simply by relating her adventures with compassion, optimism and humour. This is a book that will stay with you for a long time and make you rethink as to what life is all about. An extraordinary journey by a most remarkable woman - one of my all-time favourite books!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If only I could be so brave,
By
This review is from: Crying with Cockroaches: Argentina to New York with Two Horses (Paperback)
Marianne du Toit is the woman I wish I were brave enough to be. She is a marvel of gumption. Crying with Cockroaches tells the remarkable story of following her dream, persevering no matter how immense the struggle and the odds against her and her beloved horses. It's an enthralling adventure story, a heartbreakingly touching story of love for her horses and their courageous fortitude and Marianne Du Toit's personal journey to realize just who she is - her character and her power. Her journey is compelling in its enormity and her recounting of it is enthralling. But, also it is just a really fun read, a real page turner. I loved it. Her ever so appealing personality came through loud and clear in her self deprecating style. I understand how just about everyone she met on the way invited her into their lives, saying yes you can sleep on my floor, your horses can sleep in my yard and my dinner is your dinner and how about some grain for your four-legged friends. I fell in love with her immediatly and rooted for her page after page. Her nutty dream of riding from Argentina to New York was so deliciously unbelievable. I was awestruck from the first page until the last.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW!,
By
This review is from: Crying with Cockroaches: Argentina to New York with Two Horses (Paperback)
Crying with Cockroaches blew me away. This book is a real page turner, I couldn't hardly put it down. If you are a horse person (as I am) you will know what an undertaking this was and by a novice horse rider. Her courage and tenacity were overwhelming as she made her journey across several very poor countries where women are not always held in high esteem. The dangers she encountered along the trail, I honestly don't know how she got through it. She would go days without food but always taking the best care of her horses. She really is an inspiration to women and to horsepeople. You won't be sorry if you buy this book. It is a great read!
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