Costa Rica: A Traveler's Literary Companion (Paperback)

~ Barbara Ras (Editor), Oscar Arias (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Costa Rica: A Traveler's Literary Companion has been compiled in an attempt to provide tourists with a different perspective on the country. Each of the twenty-six remarkable stories in this collection has been selected to reflect the geographical area in which it is set. (Though Costa Rica is only about half the size of Ireland, it is wonderfully diverse.) Story settings range from the high valleys of the central plateau to the flatlands of the Caribbean coast to the plains of Guanacaste. A typical guidebook will instruct visitors on the politics, history, culture, economy, and ethnicity of a country, but only fiction can portray its soul. After reading the stories contained in this literary companion, travelers to Costa Rica will no doubt view this Central American nation with whole new eyes.

Product Description

26 Costa Rican stories, many in first translations

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Whereabouts Press (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883513006
• ISBN-13: 978-1883513009
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #172,554 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't leave home without it, March 14, 2000

By	Georgina M Schrock (Spokane, Washington) - See all my reviews

A fascinating variety of styles and topics. We especially enjoyed the way the stories are arranged, by region. Sleepy, pick a short story. If you wonder what it might be like to labor with a machete or to live in a small house in the jungle. If you want to know what it might be like to be the only white girl, or the only brown boy. Read this. This book will change the way you see the uniformed schoolchildren, the mysterious round rocks, the lizards... There is more to Costa Rica than identifying birds and eating mangoes.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ¡Pura Vida! A Superb Insight into the Soul of Costa Rica, May 3, 1999

By	[e-mail] "mbowlby" (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This small compilation of short stories was a priceless companion on my trip to Costa Rica. The philosophy of the "Traveler's Literary Companion" series is terrific: one of the best ways to really understand a country and its culture is through that country's literature. I highly recommend this book for anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica, or just curious about this glorious and inviting place. ¡Pura Vida y Tuanis!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Open up the country....., February 23, 2004

By	G. Phelps "whitfieldhouse, currently in China" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The two most invaluable books I read prior to vactioning in Costa Rica were this one, and a social history with magnificent photos called, "Costa Rica: The Last Country the Gods Made."

The funny thing is that they compliment each other almost exactly in their selection of the geographical areas in Costa Rica that they both chose to explore; so you can read the essay, "Travels from the Interior" in "Last Country" then read the corresponding short story set in the highlands of the central plateau in "Literary Companion"!

I read both books alternating back and forth like that....talk about opening up the country before your eyes!