Customer Reviews

Crying with Cockroaches: Argentina to New York with Two Horses

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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!

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.

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!

"Crying With Cockroaches" is a splendid example of perserverance. While many adventure stories leave two choices, continue or die, Marianne always had a third option, just simply quit. To be sure, when her journey became unbearable, she could have, quite easily, sold or given her horses to a deserving family, hopped on a flight and returned to the comforts of her home in Ireland. Quitting for her was never an option and through sheer determination and fortitude she accomplished her goal. What an inspiration for those battling an illness, job layoff, divorce, bankrupcy, loss of a loved one, etc., etc. Moose Tenny said, "Winners never quit and quitters never win." Marianne is a winner and will inspire readers of her book to likewise become winners.

A wonderful travelog and not just for horsey types at all. This is a a really neat point of view of the people found along the way in honest traveling. One of the neat angles is the way people treat strangers and the importance or nonimportrantance of animals in different societies and social stratas.
Marianne is a real pioneer among women. I can not imagine that this trip would have worked for a man alone, people would have been more leerey of a man.
Not only is Marianne a great writer but a great observer of humans and nature

Unique, intriguing, unbelievable, overwhelming, heartwarming, exciting, rewarding, and inspirational! Marianne Du Toit shares her adventure in a wonderfully written book that captivates your interest from the very beginning. A book very hard to put down once the reading begins! its not often that a book leaves you a better person when you are through reading it, but this book definitely does!!
Marilyn V. Magelund
Camilla, Georgia

Review of Marianne Du Toit's Crying with Cockroaches

The Prime Minister of Ireland, who introduces this book, eloquently endorses adventure as an integral component in each of our lives. A quote from Helen Keller states, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Marianne Du Toit was born in South Africa and raised on a farm, where she had limited time on horseback and spoke no Spanish. She knew from childhood that she would have a special adventure at some point. In 2002, she flew to Buenos Aires, purchased two horses and rode 6,000 miles from Argentina to New York City. Within the pages of her book, Crying with Cockroaches, Marianne pushes the envelope, riding into unknown territory with no safety net. She finishes her ride with a smile and a barrel full of memories. It's hard to comprehend the challenges, much less the rewards of putting life and limb on the line every single day for over 21 months. It' s uncanny that Marianne drank from streams or with the local people and had no illness except a half-day of "runny tummy." Her descriptions of the majestic beauty of the terrain, the warmth and hospitality of those living in poverty, and her avoiding tragedy through wit, luck, and unfailing trust all combined to make this adventure spellbinding. When asked if she was scared on her journey, she replied that she tried to stuff fear into her saddle bag but there just wasn't room, so she had to rely on trust. Sportswriter Grantland Rice once wrote:

"When the one great Scorer comes to write against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game."

In this book, Marianne plays the game in excellence, inspiring and enthralling her readers, just like those on the journey. She is truly a remarkable woman, a superb storyteller, and the ultimate adventurer.

This book takes you through South and North America via the back route.
The author literally knocks on doors throughout her ride and it is fascinating to see how she and her horses are received in homes spanning the most humble abode to mansions of the rich. She starts out speaking almost no Spanish and does not have much riding experience nor does she really plan her journey ahead of time! She recounts her adventures with wit and charm and despite the hardships and dangers always looks on the bright side. In fact, I found her approach to life very inspiring and hope some of it will rub off on me after reading this! I couldn't put this book down and was sorry when I turned the last page.

A remarkable story of a very courageous young woman travelling on horseback through the Americas from Buenos Aires to New York City. For a woman to set out on such an arduous journey with as little preparation and understanding of what she might encounter, is mind boggling ! That she succeeded, is a tremendous tribute to her courage and determination, and an inspiration to any person, and especially women, with an adventuresome spirit. My wife and I were fortunate to meet Marianne as she rode through Middleburg, Virginia, and were delighted to help with contacts along her way north, not to mention the gift of my african bush hat which she wore in the St. Patrick's Day parade !

I had the opportunity to get to know Marianne when her 2 "American" horses stayed with me on her journey. But it wasn't until I read her book that I truly grasped what an amazing feat this quiet, unassuming young woman had accomplished! In her book she takes us with her through some of the most grueling territory on the planet. We meet the rich and poor who enriched her life (and ours) by sharing their own stories and often meager existences. Animal lovers will understand her love for her horses and concern for the lack of care and sometimes inhuman treatment for horses, dogs, etc that she encountered on her journey. Marianne's courage and perseverence is an inspiration to us all. I would highly recommend this book to older children and young adults, too.