Customer Reviews

How to Be a Carioca

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Let me begin by saying that this book is just hilarious. The content as well as the way it is written make it a pleasure to read. Hence, I would recommend it for that purpose. However, this is, by no means, a guide to Rio. It is a hyperboly, grossly exaggerating and stereotyping many facets of the residents of Rio. As another reviewer correctly pointed out, How to be a Carioca, only applies to about 5% of Rio. There is nothing wrong with staying within this 5%, which steches from Copacobana to Barra, but should you venture inland, be prepared for a stark contrast. A really anoying aspect of this book is that even though it was printed recently, it hasn't been updated in a while. The chapter on money stopped being relevant in 1994 when Brazil implemented Plano Real, hence ending the rampant inflation. Another thing that I didn't like was the book's light-hearted treatment of crime. Rio's crime and violence is a serious problem that even the Cariocas do not find funny. If you have been to, are going to, or are just curious about Rio, I would recommend this book, but only as a source of a few good laughs and not as a guidebook.

Very funny situations are described in short anecdotes and one-liners. After you have been in Rio for a while you will recognise many of the habits and social codes laid out in this book. Actually because of the popularity there is even a special edition in Portuguese (I believe the cover is green instead of red) A must buy for your self and a great gift for fellow Brazil/Rio crazed mortals.

This book is great because it is funny and not near to the reality: it IS the reality of Rio's way of life. French leaving in Germany, my first trip to Rio (and Brazil). My Girlfriend (Carioca) gave me that book: in 3 weeks in Rio I encountered 90% of the situations discribed. The slang is also to 90% up to date. Sum up: a Must!

Let me begin by stating that this is one of the funniest travel books I have ever read. Also let me say that this is one of the most useful travel books I have ever read. Forget Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, go straight for this classic and then talk your way around Rio in confident Carioca slang. True, this book is not going to tell you anything about Sugar Loaf, or where to find a cheap hostel and place to eat, but it is going to give you the tools to go out there and strike up a conversation with the locals.

While in some cases the book seems a little out-dated (it was published in 1991 when inflation of the now defunct Cruzeiro could easy run at 1000% per year), that is only a minor distraction from the wealth of knowledge available on almost every page. From explanations of how to spend your day at the beach like a Carioca (rather than as a gringo or Paulistano), to tips on how to meet new friends at the local bar, this book is fantastic. As a tourist in Rio you will find this book a fun read in addition to your other travel guides. As someone planning to live in Rio (especially Zona Sul) for any significant period of time, you will find this book extremely handy.

I found the book interesting and informative. There are some items or situations covered in the book that is not relative to current situations there due to changes from when the book was written. This is a quick and dirty view of Rio that will help first and second timers by pointing out things that they may never be told. It is a quick read with sections that you can pick up read and then come back to the book instead of having to read it all in one sitting. I have been to Rio a few times and read the book on my most recent trip. The first timers with me enjoyed the book as I did. The book is quite humorous and I definitely recommend it for people going to Brasil and people who have been to Brasil, especially those who have or plan to stay in Copacabana, Ipanema, and Barra.

This book is as down to earth and truthful as it gets! It helped to prepare me for my travel to Rio and satisfied my expectations. Based on what I've seen, along with the other reviewers of this book, I think it's safe to say that the you can disregard 'Macunaima's' haunting-like review.

This book is absolutely useful either for non-cariocas, or for cariocas. I am a true Carioca (I was born in Rio and I've lived here for all my life) and I always give this book to my foreigners friends when they come to Rio. It's an excelent helping tool for visitors in order to help them to understand the carioca way of life! Also, it's quite pure fun!

This book is one of the best books for anyone that will move or spend some time in Rio de Janeiro, it explains the real Carioca (people born in Rio de Janeiro) lifestile, even though it is very funny, almost everything in this book is perfect true. The behavior on the beach is perfectly described. A lot of fun.

This book is full of stereotypes from the get-go.

As such, they are mostly amusing and yes, most of them can be encountered in real-life Rio. Unfortunately, Rau tchu bi a Carioca also has two major problems.

The first is not Priscilla's fault, but the fault of its mostly gringo readers. The book is a /charicature/, not a "survival guide", as some reviewers have called it. Following some of its "advice" can easily get a person killed or in serious trouble with the law. It is meant to be read as a work of hyperbolic comedy for stressed-out gringos (and upper-class Brazilians) who need some comic relief from the chaos of life in Rio. Treat it as a serious guide at your peril!

The second problem has to do with the make-up of Priscilla's market, again, upper-class Brazilians and gringos. For these people, Rio begins in Ipanema (arguably Copacabana) and runs southwest to Barra da Tijuca. 95 percent of the city is excluded in their map of people and places to visit. Priscilla makes a nod to this view of reality when she defines a "carioca" as, basically, anyone living in the South Zone with enough leisure time to visit the beach at least a couple times a week. Charming, to be sure, but not the Rio I - and most cariocas - live in.

Again, as humor, the book is mildly amusing. As a serious guide to Rio - or anything - it should be avoided.

A very nice book if this was still 1993. However, the edition from 2003 (the one on sale now) is the unrevised edition of 1993. This makes the book outdated. I felt ripped off.