Gringo: A Coming-Of-Age in Latin America

The book is engaging, full of information and a rarity. Very valuable for someone looking for information about current events in South America.

Chesa the young traveller is riding buses up and down rocky, mountainous terrain filled with Latino and Latina locals, and their babies and chickens, saving money and appreciating the difference between his life at home as an American student from a comfortable family, and the life of the Latin Americans he travels with and comes to know. His experience is deepened by his intensive study of the history of the U.S. in Latin America, and the attempts by Venezuielans and others to take hold of their own history and their national destiny. He throws his lot in with them but with some distance and perspective, and the book brings home the lessons and possibilities of real friendships and solidarity with Latin America. I have given this book to many, many friends. Young friends love this book, take its lessons to heart, think critically about their own privileged lives in this country, and pack their backpacks and take to the road. Older readers love the unique perspective and the compelling tale.

I loved this book. Boudin weaves a fascinating travel memoir that seamlessly transitions between historical background, personal reflection, and rich narrative. His glimpses into national, race, and class identity in different parts of Latin America are poignant, blunt, and highly readable. He offers balanced positions on political backdrops without apologizing for his radical and progressive roots. His story is a must-read for Americans (and others) venturing to Latin America as tourists, students, or NGO workers. His story touches the hearts of those (like me) who walk between worlds of Hispanic identity- Americans by nationality, but Latino in ethnicity with family and friends still living in Latin America. His words echo experiences and observations that many of us have internalized but never fully voiced to our American friends, whether through purposeful omission due to social conventions or the desire to refrain from reinforcing stereotypes. Overall, an excellent read that goes far beneath the surface of most travel memoirs.

Descriptive of the traditions and culture of the Latin American people coupled with honest expository comment on the wonders of both the geography and Latin governments, Boudin leads us through a chapter in his life where personal growth not only continues into a third decade, but accelerates to warp speed as he takes in everything around him with the clarity of an intellectual many years his senior. Read him now so you know him when he becomes an important part of the fabric of the US as it learns to appreciate rather than exploit it's neighbors to the south.

I have just finished the last chapter of Chesa Boudin's book Gringo: Coming of Age in Latin America and I am sorry it has ended. I tried to stretch it out over a week to savor each chapter and visualize his travels, but I was unable to stop reading. It is a beauifully written story of his respect for Latin America, it's history and it's people. I admire Boudin's decision to travel by bus everywhere he went so he could travel with the locals, see the scenery, stop at small villages, despite the discomfort of traveling as many as 50 hours by bus. Something few of us do today. We are in such a hurry to get to our destination. He was fortunate to have the time to travel this way. Boudin chose to travel with strangers, who often became friends. I feel as if I have just traveled throughout Latin America with Boudin. I highly recommend you give a gift to yourself and buy this book.