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The Motorcycle Diaries
The Motorcycle Diaries: A Journey Around South America | Ernesto Che Guevara
These diaries, written during Che Guevara's riotous motorcycle odyssey around South America, are the subject of two new films being produced by Robert Redford and Steve Soderburg, respectively.
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LeftyDv
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Panpan

With the exception of a few lines, this was a total bore. It‘s about two men (who I never cared about) discussing events and experiences (that I had no reason to care about) on a journey (of which I didn‘t care about) riding a motorcycle (that doesn‘t make it) around South America. My local bookstore‘s Books to Movie event led me astray for the first time.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This book is a great example of liking both the book and the movie, but for different reasons. The movie for its gorgeous cinematography and visuals of South America, and the book for watching a young man start a long journey with youthful exuberance and gradually become more thoughtful and introspective as the miles go by.

BarbaraBB Such a fascinating man, Che 3y
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Jari-chan
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Pickpick

I've inherited a small fascination for Cuba from my father. Therefore, I've already read books about the island itself, but this was the first time coming a little closer to Che Guevara himself. I was surprised by his writing style. One really feels his youth, his eagerness. But also writes with wit and has a good feeling for situations. That all makes this book an intriguing work, and I'm glad I finally read it.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 3y
21 likes1 comment
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achalla
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"Some give the impression they go on living only because it's a habit they cannot shake."

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Imbookenit
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Mehso-so

Well... he definitely reads as a fanciful, idealistic, 24 year old heroistic know it all

However it is an interesting read between his friend and himself. 2.5/5📚

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TrishB
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Think most people forget he was Argentinian. Book starts in Argentina and travels across South America.
There is a film too but I haven‘t seen it!
#dontcryformeargentina #wanderingjune

BarbaraBB Good choice! Che Guevara was such an intriguing and charismatic man. I visited his tomb and a museum about him in Cuba once then became obsessed by him. I read these diaries but they were not as interesting as I hoped. 5y
Caroline2 I read the book years ago and I didn‘t find it that interesting but I really enjoyed the film. 🤷‍♀️ 5y
TrishB @BarbaraBB @Caroline2 agreed the book wasn‘t up to much. But he is a fascinating, complex character. I went through an obsession with him too!! He‘s as flawed as the rest of us. I would love my job title to appear as ‘revolutionary‘ on Wikipedia though. He definitely tried to have an impact. 5y
See All 12 Comments
Bookwomble I enjoyed the book, but it was a road diary rather than a work of literature or a political manifesto. Witnessing Guevara's social and political awakening was fascinating. The film is good - it has a more coherent narrative. 5y
TrishB @Bookwomble agreed, you could definitely see that growing. 5y
KarenUK The film is amazing... particularly the soundtrack 🎵💕 5y
JackOBotts I enjoyed this film and the casting of Gael Garcia Bernal as Che. I‘m slooowly making my way through Che‘s biography this year. 5y
TrishB @JackOBotts is this the definitive biography? 5y
JackOBotts I believe it is, @TrishB - it‘s a doorstop (750+), but has covered it all. It‘s available for ~$7.50 on the Kindle (under $8 for paperback) in the US. If you‘re interested, I can mail you my copy once I‘m done (has some underlining)...hopefully I‘ll finish before the end of the year! 🤞🏼 5y
TrishB @JackOBotts that‘s really kind thank you 👍🏻 read at your leisure though! I‘m not in a rush 😁 5y
Cinfhen Nice choice!!! 5y
Swe_Eva I‘ve seen the film and the book has been on the old wishlist since. 👍🏻 5y
107 likes3 stack adds12 comments
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Quirkybooknerd
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Reading for the third time because I inevitably forget how good it is and need to read it again.

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Gopiparakuni
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I have just started reading Che's 'Motorcycle Diary', bought couple of years back from a train traveling to Kerala in South India...

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erzascarletbookgasm
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻👏🏻📚 6y
vkois88 👍👍👍 6y
66 likes2 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#tickettoride

I have been so fascinated by this man that I went to Cuba to visit his mausoleum and the museum attached, and that I read his motorcycle diaries - they were very boring. #heyjune

Suet624 That‘s awesome that you went to his mausoleum! I‘ve always felt a connection to him too. 6y
Cinfhen This book is definitely a cult classic 😎 6y
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Oh really? That is really nice to know! 6y
68 likes3 comments
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Jocelyn73c
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For a change of pace during the @DeweysReadathon #readathon I'm swapping over to my boyfriend for a bit 😍😍 got distracted from reading for a while due to some very attractive men ripping an old garage down right outside my window, but I've got my focus back lol 👷🏽‍♂️🙋🏼‍♀️💖

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MLRio
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This was written almost 70 years ago. Food for thought.

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MLRio

The full moon, silhouetted over the sea, showers the waves with silvery sparks. Sitting on a dune, watching the continuous ebb and flow, we each think our different thoughts. For me, the sea has always been a confidant, a friend which absorbs all you tell it without betraying your secrets, and always gives the best advice–a sound you can interpret as you wish.

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MLRio
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I‘m a sucker for a good travelogue.

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Vitaprecaria_Letturacostante
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"Così venne deciso il viaggio, che in ogni momento si sarebbe attenuto alla linea generale su cui era stato progettato: l'improvvisazione... Ogni altro problema che non riguardasse la nostra impresa ci sfuggiva in quel momento, vedevamo solo la polvere della strada e noi sulla moto a divorare chilometri nella fuga verso nord."

#ErnestoCheGuevara #Latinoamericana

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Vitaprecaria_Letturacostante
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"Non è questo il racconto di gesta impressionanti... È un segmento di due vite raccontate nel momento in cui hanno percorso insieme un determinato tratto, con la stessa identità di aspirazioni e sogni..."

#ErnestoCheGuevara #Latinoamericana
#compagnienotturne

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alanacristin
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So I chose a continent not a country 😝 I've never been to South America, and this book covers several of the countries I'd like to visit. Now that I'm a mom, my travel dreams have evolved. But we'll get there! #NFaboutacountryidliketovisit #UncannyOctober

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Jas16
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booksbaconglitter
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Started a new audiobook while I finished my puzzle. 5+ hours into #24in48.

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BarbaraBB
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I remember reading about the #motorcycledriveby Che Guevara through Latin America. His diary is not that interesting, the person himself I find fascinating though. In Cuba, I once visited his mausoleum with a small, quite interesting museum. #90sinjuly

Robothugs Was this also made into a movie? 7y
BarbaraBB @Robothugs Yes it was, in the 00's. Have you seen it? 7y
Robothugs I thought so! I did back around when it was made... I wish I could give a good opinion of it but I don't fully recall how I felt about it. I've also not read the book to compare. Have you seen it? 7y
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BarbaraBB @Robothugs No I haven't. I missed it somehow when it was released. And after reading the diaries I wasn't that interested anymore. 7y
Robothugs Aha. I don't remember being extremely impressed by it, which is probably why I can't recall my actual opinion. 7y
Cinfhen This book is a cult classic - need to read it one day 7y
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review
BestOfFates
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Panpan

I am a huge fan of first person history accounts so was excited to read Che Guevara's own words. But I felt like I was looking through someone's vacation slides. It isn't until the end that he gives a speech on his beliefs, which could be summed up as US intervention is awful & South Americans are all one people. He then proceeds to be homophobic, sexist, and racist, so one wonders who he considers part of this collective.

Lindseyastin Sad this one was disappointing! I've been meaning to read it for awhile (or at least see the movie because I ❤Gael Garcia Bernal) 8y
BestOfFates @Lindseyastin I'd be interested in how they made a movie because they definitely had to add a lot from the text! 8y
24 likes2 comments
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BestOfFates
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So I've gotten to the part where Che is in Cuzco, Peru and every single time he mentions it I think of the Disney character in the Emperor's New Groove, which reminds me of this amazing academic article on the film's relationship with historic cultural plundering (a bit dry but SO informative) http://www.academia.edu/5220054/_2002_Groovin_to_Ancient_Peru._A_Critical_Analys...

OSChamberlain Cold-blooded murderer. He killed innocent people so ruthlessly in my mother's home country. 8y
Lindseyastin I never realized before that an academic article about the Emperor's New Groove was what I wanted/needed in my life. 8y
BestOfFates @Lindseyastin Right? Feel free to share others, I sadly only know of that one! 8y
BestOfFates @OSChamberlain I'm so sorry if seeing him upsets you, would you prefer I not post photos/about his book. 8y
OSChamberlain @BestOfFates Lol noooo I would never want to sensor anyone's posts. It's just weird to me how his atrocities are so often skipped over. I'm not upset though! Post as you will :) 8y
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BestOfFates
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Walking my dad's dog & listening to Che Guevara's vacation stories!

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SH32
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Pickpick

This book gave me such good company on my constant train rides to school and work that I held onto it for another week after finishing because I just couldn't part with it.

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Purple610
Mehso-so

I really enjoy travel memoir/journal books. This aspect was the only part of the book that was able to hold my interest. Something about it kept me distant and unable to connect. Good. Not great.

JenP It's one of the few books where I thought the movie was better. I liked the book but didn't love it. 8y
3 likes1 comment
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Purple610
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Memoir made into film category book #motorcyclediaries. Warm cozy blanket and reuniting with my love for this genre ❤📚

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kirriemummy
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Pickpick

This made me forget the revolutionary and meet the teenager on a daft journey with his best mate. More than anything else this is the writing that made me realise that icons can be flawed, warm, funny people full of youth and friendship. Here's to the next adventure, che.

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emilymorgan
Pickpick

This book was a huge part of my 2016 goal to see the world from a different perspective, and man! I was challenged. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to view the world differently during election time and challenge what mainstream America is showing us in the news. Also...Che has some AMAZING prose--and this is even a translation!

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emilymorgan
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Haven't needed a highlighter for a book since college, but this prose is just too good. "At night, we would look out over the immense sea, full of white-flecked and green reflections, the two of us leaning side by side on the railing, each of us far away, flying in his own aircraft to the stratospheric regions of his own dreams. There we understood that our true vocation was to move for eternity along the roads and seas of the world."

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emilymorgan
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"I now know, by an almost fatalistic conformity with the facts, that my destiny is to travel....Perhaps one day, tired of circling the world, I'll return [home] and settle...at least for a pause while I shift from one understanding of the world to another."

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emilymorgan
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This fall, I challenged myself to get out of my "white girl reads" routine. I've read books from Pakistan, Nigeria, and now South America. I read an LGBTQ book, read some adult fiction (instead of just YA), and I'm really thankful for how my reading life has grown and challenged my ways of thinking. So here's to the next one...Motorcycle Diaries!

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CoveredInRust
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#booktober Book set in S America. The movie is fantastic, too.

Posemn I don't know why I haven't read the book 🙄because I really loved the movie! 8y
CoveredInRust @KarenUK @Posemn Gael Garcia Bernal is just phenomenal in the movie! And the soundtrack is amazing. 💗 8y
KarenUK Not read the book, but loved the movie... The soundtrack is beautiful💗 8y
30 likes3 comments