Customer Reviews

Waiting for Rain: The Politics and Poetry of Drought in Northeast Brazil

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I have traveled in the Northeast of Brasil and found it to be an area that does not lend itself easily to summation or description. The hardship and happiness - the spirit of the people - are best reflected in the oral poetry passed between and through generations. And the politics of the area are painful to observe. But Mr. Arons does a great job of capturing the essential spirit of the people of whom he writes. Capturing their own lyrical history and distilling it into a plaintive, kind book of understanding does a tremendous service to a culture and history that time could otherwise forget.

Anyone interested in the politics of water, an issue of increasing importance in the developing world now and for years to come should read this book. Anyone interested in Brasil (more than just carnaval and other hedonistic fun) should read this book. Anyone interested in oral history MUST read this book.

If you are planning to travel in Brazil, or if you simply seek a better understanding of its history and its people, you must read this book. Before this, I never realized the impact of drought in Brazil, nor did I appreciate the beauty and the suffering of Brazilians. A creative, inspired, tragic and often funny story - this book will stay with me.