Customer Reviews

Eccentric Graces: Eritrea and Ethiopia Through the Eyes of a Traveler

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

It is not a surprise to me that there are such mixed reviews of this book. It is obvious by reading the reviews that you either loved it or hated it. That said, I read it and thought it was fantastic! If you have an opened mind, and a sense of wonder - as does the author of this book - than it will be apparent that most of these negative reviews have an alterior motive. Why is that? Africa is a continent that is as diverse as these reviews! Coincidence? Please read this book with the intent that it was written: as a travel narrative. How often are we lucky enough to read the accounts of a woman travelling through these two contrasting countries? It is a perspective; and like any work of art it brings something different in everyone who views it. I'm happy to say that this book gave me an excellent insight into these countries in an easy to read and understand manner. Ms. Stewart's experiences seem wonderful, scary, mysterious...all description given to the countries as well as the continent. Bravo! It's a rare treasure and wonderful addition to my library!

Surprised that a reader/reviewer writes off this fascinating book as a travel guide, which means he entirely misunderstands the book's genre (and misreads the subtitle of the book "through the eyes of a traveller"); it is a travel narrative not a travel guide, which in travel narrative style does not pretend to offer the reader with prices of hotels and lists of good restaurants, but rather gives the armchair and actual traveller a glimpse of the atmosphere of a country and its people as a snapshot in time. Stewart has accomplished this task well. The Ethiopia and Eritrea she visited several years ago, have already changed, and it is valuable that some of their pre-border-war character - albeit from one person's experiences - was captured. Yes, you should buy Bragg if you want a good travel GUIDE, but read this for insight and entertainment.

I read this book with disgust, specially Julia Stewart's stereotyping of Ethiopians. As an Ethiopian I was offended by her writing that "Ethiopians are very arrogant people" after her 'Eritrean buddy' told her some story. This book is rather a political book against Ethiopians reflecting an Eritrean's(with hatred toward Ethiopia) point of view. Her Eritrean buddy also mentions in the book, "the only thing he likes about Ethiopia is the money". I wish the book focus more on her travel experience than trying to generalize things. Any one who really wants to find the truth about Ethiopia, may I suggest you read this book, A GUIDE TO ETHIOPIA by Philip Briggs which has a very balanced view about Ethiopia. Perhaps Julia may check this book as well. One other thing I wish the author had a warning for her use of obscenity in her writing. May I generalize now about Americans? I won't lower myself to that standard.

a well written book about the authors unique experiences in these 2 lands. I work with refugees and immigrants in a volunteer capacity and work with 2 wonderful Eritrean families. I have read much about the country, and admire it even moreso, after hearing the authors experience. She probably did not visit with preconceived notions, so I think she was objective in her viewpoint. It appears from all that I have read, that Ethiopia is in terrible shape, and they are the current aggressor, possibly in an attempt to hide their internal problems. The book is not dry. It is very alive, particularly with interpersonal contacts, and the phyisical descriptions are great. I would highly reccomend it as a personal and informal perspective of 2 fascinating and little known countries

Guides on Eritrea and Ethiopia are not abundant but the two countries would be better of with NO guides at all in case the only alternative would be the hair-raising gibberish presented under this pretentious title.

Everything this woman "knows" is based on the small bibliography she managed to consult and a number of utterly superficial conversations with the occasional passer-by. Beyond that, there is absolutely nothing eccentric and graceful about this book which would probably have looked exactly the same in case she would have travelled Ghana or Egypt or China or what ever.

Read this book in case you need warning about bringing toilet paper when visiting public toilets or in case you find a child leaving a turt on a busseat interesting reading ...

Otherwise: Forget about this irritating rubbish and Get Philip Braggs's excellent "Guide to Ethiopia" for practical information and e.g. Kevin Rushby's highly acclaimed "Eating the flowers of paradise" ... and DO go and vitit Ethiopia !

I am particularly interested in the historical aspects of these two countries and found this book very thoroughly researched. The incorporation of both historical and travel narrative works very well. I felt that I was both learning and travelling with Ms. Stewart. Well written and very interesting to read.

As Americans, most of us have insulated ourselves from the rest of the world. Places like Africa are a mere fantasy, or images of wildebeasts crossing the Serengeti as portrayed on television. This is why this book is so incredible and inspiring. Julia Stewart takes us into Eritrea and Ethiopia like you or I would go - with an open mind and a sense of wonder. She, and her girlfriends, experience this ancient yet intriguing land in such a way, and in such depth, that I feel I now have a sense of realism towards these two bordering neighbors with such dramatic differences. The book also intertwines well constructed historical passages that helps illuminate the current crises between Eritrea and Ethiopia. A wonderful travel narrative that made me feel all the more isolated here in the states, while prompting me to make Africa less of a fantasy. Like her, sometimes you just have to GO!

If you can not go to these places yourself, it is fun to at least read about them. Loved it.

Don't waste your money on this book. The author of this book was unable to grasp anything beyond the trivial and superfluous thus completely missed the essence of the two countries. The author obviously doesn't bother to check facts as she repeats artificial histories created by liberation fronts as historic facts. Her rush to generalize is very troubling. Both countries are extremely diverse (Eritrea has more than 8 languages while Ethiopia has over than 30 languages.) The number of ethnic groups is much higher close to a total of 100, some living in both countries. Simple generalizations like "Eritreans" or "Ethiopians" for the most part are not valid. The author simply was unable to recognize the diversity of the cultures with in the two countries and the complex historical relationship that exists between the two countries.

For the most part the book is packed with ignorant babble and definitely a waste of time and money. I give it one star only because that is the lowest rating that I can give. This book deserves a rating of zero!

Poor Julia,
Wined in Asmara and then left to her and friends devices
in Ethiopia!

Everything in Eritrea was wondeful but not so in Ethiopia.
Julia struggled during her stay in Ethiopia and denigrated
almost all of her travel sites - too many people, watery
tankwa, mud hut church, too much money, etc.

Strangely, of all the Amharic proverbs she puts to print,
she denigrates one tribe. One wonders how she managed to learn
enough Amharic to transliterate!

Lastly, one should tell Julia that Eritrea was never a colony
of Ethiopia.

A waste of her time to visit Ethiopia and a waste of her time
writing about her travels in Ethiopia while at the same time
waxing poetic about the "African experience".