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![Reality Check: Life in Brazil through the eyes of a foreigner by [Mark Hillary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NluK+ZnlL._SY346_.jpg)
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Reality Check: Life in Brazil through the eyes of a foreigner Kindle Edition
by
Mark Hillary
(Author)
Format: Kindle Edition
Mark Hillary
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LanguageEnglish
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Publication dateSeptember 1, 2013
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File size3659 KB
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Product details
- ASIN : B00EXBM4X8
- Publication date : September 1, 2013
- Language : English
- File size : 3659 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 177 pages
- Lending : Enabled
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Best Sellers Rank:
#1,020,110 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #48 in Brazil Travel
- #272 in General Brazil Travel Guides
- #45,156 in Business & Investing (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
39 global ratings
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2014
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Not bad, and gives you what it says it says...."life in Brasil through the eyes of a foreigner." I bought the book to catch up on what I have missed in the years since I lived there, and while all of the advice and info was useful, there wasn't much new. I was surprised at the author's assessment of crime, not as bad as publicized, but equally wondered why he never mentioned "despachantes" in the pages on getting documentation. I don't know anyone, foreign or Brasilian, who tries to make it through the bureaucratic jungles without the "jeito" that the despachantes can offer. They are specialized and so you go to one for your tax docs, and another for your car registration, etc. Yes, it costs, but not that much when you consider the hours you can spend waiting in lines that are constantly moving back to let in the "malecas" standing in line for the agencies. Details on this are significantly lacking in this otherwise worthwhile book.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2014
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This is a very well written book which clearly outlines the problems a foreigner would encounter if they wish to live in Brasil. Nothing has been left out and it shows the difficulties encountered obtaining the correct documentation and having it authenticated, this being essential for any official papers in Brasil.
I would advise anyone thinking of coming to live here to read this book, especially if you are looking to obtain work other than teaching English.
You may think that at times he is exaggerating but having been through the process myself I can assure you that the account is accurate, expect to spend a considerable amount of time on paper work.
The country and people are as he describes and it is a wonderful country to live and work in.
I would advise anyone thinking of coming to live here to read this book, especially if you are looking to obtain work other than teaching English.
You may think that at times he is exaggerating but having been through the process myself I can assure you that the account is accurate, expect to spend a considerable amount of time on paper work.
The country and people are as he describes and it is a wonderful country to live and work in.
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book, and it has a lot of firsthand experience information that I think is priceless. I've loved Brazil since my college days in 1968-69, and I still do.
I come from a large city on the Mexican border, and Mark's book really made me see how similar the 2 nations are in drug problems, and in public sector corruption. It's amazing.
But I believe that, romance aside, both national societies are now far too complex for a true "revolution"--too bad.
Change, probably spurred by violence, is; but why would anyone want to destroy a politically democratic structure that took almost 2 centuries to finally institute.
I come from a large city on the Mexican border, and Mark's book really made me see how similar the 2 nations are in drug problems, and in public sector corruption. It's amazing.
But I believe that, romance aside, both national societies are now far too complex for a true "revolution"--too bad.
Change, probably spurred by violence, is; but why would anyone want to destroy a politically democratic structure that took almost 2 centuries to finally institute.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2013
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I am a expat, living in Brazil, a culture that is very much like a onion, with many, many layers of depth. Mark Hillary, not only gave me many tips and explanations I was foggy on, but his style of writing is top notch and most enjoyable. If you live in Brazil, this short book is a must, if your curious about this wild and fun country, he lays out the landscape with flare and helpful tips.
Actually, these types of books are hard to come by, so I highly recommend it. Its a bargain, short, and when you finish it, your way ahead of the game, as Brazil is much more than it seems on the surface. Boa sorte!
Actually, these types of books are hard to come by, so I highly recommend it. Its a bargain, short, and when you finish it, your way ahead of the game, as Brazil is much more than it seems on the surface. Boa sorte!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2014
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I'm a Brazilian (from the central region of the country) living abroad with a foreign partner and thinking about moving back home with him. I bought this book to see Brazil through the eyes of a foreigner and to try to see how living there would be for my partner.
The book delivers what it promises, and I found it quite accurate. So accurate that it was even a little bit boring for me - nothing was new. But isn't that exactly the point? For Brazilians, what he writes there is just common sense. For someone who has never lived there, it is exactly what is needed to go past the stereotypes and learn what is it that the country (or, at least the southeast area, the richest region of Brazil) offers.
It is a self published book, and I think that this really shows. I caught a few wrong sentences here and there (I'm not a native English speaker but I'm quite sure the sentences had to be reviewed). The rhythm of the book was a bit weird, some very short chapters and some long ones; articles published elsewhere put in the middle of the book when they could be just links or appendices (especially because the topic - the June 2013 unrest - is dated and very complex to be discussed in full there).
Overall, the book felt to me like a huge blog post. I think that the content is accurate, clear and very useful, but in my humble opinion this book could be so much better with some more careful editing.
The book delivers what it promises, and I found it quite accurate. So accurate that it was even a little bit boring for me - nothing was new. But isn't that exactly the point? For Brazilians, what he writes there is just common sense. For someone who has never lived there, it is exactly what is needed to go past the stereotypes and learn what is it that the country (or, at least the southeast area, the richest region of Brazil) offers.
It is a self published book, and I think that this really shows. I caught a few wrong sentences here and there (I'm not a native English speaker but I'm quite sure the sentences had to be reviewed). The rhythm of the book was a bit weird, some very short chapters and some long ones; articles published elsewhere put in the middle of the book when they could be just links or appendices (especially because the topic - the June 2013 unrest - is dated and very complex to be discussed in full there).
Overall, the book felt to me like a huge blog post. I think that the content is accurate, clear and very useful, but in my humble opinion this book could be so much better with some more careful editing.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2013
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Reality Check should be required reading for any foreigners planning to move to Brazil! I read it in one sitting and found the information to be spot on and the content to be captivating. I am from Atlanta Georgia and have been living in Belo Horizonte Brazil for 6 months. Like the author Mark Hillary I have truly fallen in love with this country and it's people. I have also experienced the frustrations of learning Portuguese and adjusting to life in a new country. Mark shares his personal experiences in acclimating to Brazilian life and tries to prepare the reader for some of the positive and negative things they are likely to encounter. It's easy to feel like a stranger in a strange land and become overwhelmed with how different life as a foreigner in Brasil can be and Mark holds back nothing in his honest portrayal of his stay here. Brazil is an amazing place to live and I have found that the positive aspects of life here far outweigh the negative. I also agree however that anyone planning to move here should prepare themselves in any and every possible way and this book "Reality Check" is a great place to start!
4 people found this helpful
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3.0 out of 5 stars
I learned some interesting and very useful bits in this in preparation for our move to ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2014Verified Purchase
I learned some interesting and very useful bits in this in preparation for our move to Brazil but the writer gets a bit into policy analysis which wasn't terribly helpful. I skipped most of those parts. It was a fast read though and I definitely walked away a bit more knowledgeable on day-to-day life in Brazil. If you want policy analysis then look elsewhere.
Top reviews from other countries

Louis-S
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent, realistic introduction. Recommended.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2013Verified Purchase
Firstly, as someone that has had a very similar experience moving to Brazil I can vouch for Marks' insights.
This is an excellent, short introduction that most importantly is written by an "average guy". Many of the "how to" books about Brazil, like the highly flawed book by Larry Rohter, or the truly terrible How to be a Carioca often focus on high flyers with little to say about the experiences of 90% of the foreigners that move to Brazil that aren't living in Leblon or running an expense account from a multinational news organisation.
The highlights are Mark's genuine understanding of how Brazil works, boots on the ground. This comes from a good, objective understanding of the country's history combined with day-to-day experience. Mark's well founded, critical optimism for the future of the country comes from combination.
His comments on economic protectionism and often unfounded, security paranoia are very astute, and more informed and realistic than many articles from supposedly professional journalists in the financial press that seem more interested in fitting Brazil into their world view than truly understanding the reasons why Brazil is as it is - Olá The Economist!.
Any faults with the book are part of its charm. It's does feel like a sketch for a longer book, but at the same time this is a great example of how self-e-publishing means a book like this can get on virtual shelves without an advance from a publishing house. It is also very fresh. Many of the issues discussed, like the June 2013 protests, are still news. Also Mark's guide to bars and drinks is something maybe only an Englishman would dedicate a chapter to in such a brief guide, however as someone that also lived in London for much of my adult life I found this very useful and charming.
Great stuff and I look forward to more insights on Brazil from Mark in his various articles and blogs.
This is an excellent, short introduction that most importantly is written by an "average guy". Many of the "how to" books about Brazil, like the highly flawed book by Larry Rohter, or the truly terrible How to be a Carioca often focus on high flyers with little to say about the experiences of 90% of the foreigners that move to Brazil that aren't living in Leblon or running an expense account from a multinational news organisation.
The highlights are Mark's genuine understanding of how Brazil works, boots on the ground. This comes from a good, objective understanding of the country's history combined with day-to-day experience. Mark's well founded, critical optimism for the future of the country comes from combination.
His comments on economic protectionism and often unfounded, security paranoia are very astute, and more informed and realistic than many articles from supposedly professional journalists in the financial press that seem more interested in fitting Brazil into their world view than truly understanding the reasons why Brazil is as it is - Olá The Economist!.
Any faults with the book are part of its charm. It's does feel like a sketch for a longer book, but at the same time this is a great example of how self-e-publishing means a book like this can get on virtual shelves without an advance from a publishing house. It is also very fresh. Many of the issues discussed, like the June 2013 protests, are still news. Also Mark's guide to bars and drinks is something maybe only an Englishman would dedicate a chapter to in such a brief guide, however as someone that also lived in London for much of my adult life I found this very useful and charming.
Great stuff and I look forward to more insights on Brazil from Mark in his various articles and blogs.
3 people found this helpful
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L. MacL
1.0 out of 5 stars
Boring and hard going.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2016Verified Purchase
I read this book (
Reality Check: Life in Brazil through the eyes of a foreigner
) to learn more about Brazil especially with the 2016 Olympics on at the moment.
I found this book hard going and repetitive. It might work broken up into short sections for a blog but as a book it didn't flow. I know it wassupposed to be non-fiction but it just wasn't interesting.
I found this book hard going and repetitive. It might work broken up into short sections for a blog but as a book it didn't flow. I know it wassupposed to be non-fiction but it just wasn't interesting.

C. I. Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brazil is not for beginners, but this book definately helps
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2013Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book as it did exactly what it said on the wrapping :) Concise, sharp, wry and a balanced perspective on life and work in Brazil. I've got a healthy interest (slight obsession) in Brazil and the author brought it to life with colour and reality.
I'm an expat living in Madrid (8 years) with my own business, own house and married to an Argentinean so I could kind of relate to the author's story.
If i was moving to Brazil this would be one of my first steps before going deeper.
As is often said, Brazil is not for beginners, but this book definately helps!
I'm an expat living in Madrid (8 years) with my own business, own house and married to an Argentinean so I could kind of relate to the author's story.
If i was moving to Brazil this would be one of my first steps before going deeper.
As is often said, Brazil is not for beginners, but this book definately helps!
2 people found this helpful
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Ilan Chamovitz
5.0 out of 5 stars
A british entrepreuner in Brazil
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2013Verified Purchase
I started to read Mark's articles, about ICT and Brazil in 2012. I like his writing style, as the content, as well. When he suggested me to read the e-book 'Reality Check: Life in Brazil through the eyes of a foreigner', I had just taken a look inside and decided to download it. Mark is a real example of entrepreneur!!! He moved to Brazil and started a new business there, dealing with all challenges of starting a business and considering different cultures in a giant country. In addition, he decides to share his experiences and knowledge! In his book he gives lots of wealthy information according to his personal view considering culture, politics, sports, economy, recent news and the future, in Brazil. A good aproach for foreingners that intend to spend more time in Brazil and for Brazilians who need to improve relations with foreingners, as well.
2 people found this helpful
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C. I. Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars
Read it on the plane
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2013Verified Purchase
As the description says you can read it on the plane. Its useful and concise. Mark writes well and portrays Brazil through the eyes of someone who maintains a balanced objective view with a wry sense of humour.
Brazil is not for beginners and its extremes make it both immensely interesting and frustrating. Just read some of the forums of expats living there.
Mark captures what its really like to move to Brazil, start a business, buy a house, get married, learn portuguese and enjoy the best of Brazil, the people and the diversity.
Brazil is not for beginners and its extremes make it both immensely interesting and frustrating. Just read some of the forums of expats living there.
Mark captures what its really like to move to Brazil, start a business, buy a house, get married, learn portuguese and enjoy the best of Brazil, the people and the diversity.
2 people found this helpful
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