The Fruit Palace

'The Fruit Palace' is no romp through the woods, rather it is a valiant (if idiotic) push through a river of information to see who can survive to the other side by a half-informed journalist with an ego problem- which he addresses several times in the book. Charles Nicholl had spent some time living in Colombia before being set on a chase by his young, naïve publisher after The Great Cocaine Story, but he knew he was unprepared for this. He had smoked some basuko (half-processed cocaine) and snorted a bit of yay here and there recreationally, bur he knew he was getting himself into something he couldn't handle. This misadventure guides him across Colombia, from the cities to the jungles to the deserts, all in the search of a mysterious cocaine distributor known as 'Snow White'. It is a marvellous book, very well-written and surprisingly true, and I recommend you buy a used copy immediately. By the way... Despite what some of the other reviewers said, this is NOT, repeat NOT a travel book, it is if anything a true adventure story.

I first read this book several years ago whilst travelling through Columbia and could hardly put it down. All the travellers that I met were asking for copies and it has taken on an almost cult status down there. The book is very well written and adds an extra dimension for those intending to take time out and explore this wonderful country. I can't believe that it's out of print!

I adore this book! I've read it several times and have given copies to everyone I know -- that is, I did so until it went out of print and I could no longer find it. What idiot publisher made that decision? This is one of the greatest travel books of all time. My bookshelves are not complete without my very own copy. Please find me one! (P.S. It's a slice of life in Colombia, in South America, not Central America, as another reader claims.)

I just finished this book. It took me three days to read. My only complaint would be that it actually comes to an end. A good ending, too. Mr. Nicholl doesn't thump you down like he's done with you, nor does he leave you hanging. I really liked the thoroughness he uses dealing with a totally illegal business. It's an honest and interesting look at something that no one is supposed to be doing, yet the industry has enormous breadth. He covers that span, all the way from the dirty two-bit street dealers up to the capos, the guys no one ever sees. He took a lot of risk researching it, and I actually started sweating while I read one tense scene. I enjoyed the whole thing.