I’m currently reading don’t sleep, there are snakes written by daniel everett. I’m not going to tell you anything about it (there are a tonne of reviews on amazon if you want to know more) because I didn’t know a thing about it before I read it – just took it off the shelf at Waterstone’s, read the back cover and a beginning paragraph or two, and hoped for a good read. It’s a great read. A little theoretical toward the end which – considering it is his life’s work it is to be expected – would only be of interest if you are a linguist yourself or heavily interested in linguistic theories but beside that, really, it is wonderful. I feel like Daniel has revealed answers to long asked questions in my mind about life (thanks to the Pirahas), and he also confirms many theories and ideas that I’ve spoken about over the years.
So, if you are interested in other cultures, ancient cultures, the development of language; or wonder what it’s like to live in the Amazon with native Amazonians; or if you question devout methodology then there is something in this book for you. I have bookmarked lots of pages, circled lots of paragraphs and will be recommending it to family and friends.
Thanks Pia. I just ordered this off of Amazon. Can’t wait to read it!
November 23rd, 2009 | #
i stumbled upon this book at a discount book store and feel saddened that i only paid $2.00 for a tremendously interesting and life-affirming read. i really enjoyed the blend of travelogue and anthropology. and, i really appreciated the fact that the author, though a missionary at the onset of his journey, did not weight the book with his own religious ponderings and transformation. i am visiting the amazon soon, and will go with a richer sense of the remarkable human heritage living there.
July 4th, 2010 | #