I just wasn’t that enamored with The Motorcycle Diaries. This probably means I’m some sort of sinner. After all, it’s like the Holy Bible of Che-ology written by the icon himself.
It’s such a slim, little book, too. Yet it took me three weeks to read 175 pages. And honestly, the thing that kept me going was the fact that I had been to many of the places mentioned. That and I also found it funny how many times he talks about drinking mate.
I did, admittedly, come into this book with pretty high expectations. For example, I kept waiting to read about his transformative time in the jungle leper colony. His journal, though, didn’t linger here like the movie did.
But the book did have its moments, like this line, which I highlighted and starred: “All this wandering around ‘Our America with a capital A’ has changed me more than I thought.” I can relate.
But, to the point: Should you read The Motorcycle Diaries?
If you’ve got a fascination for the Che man, you probably feel like you have to, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s not a total waste of time. You’ll at least feel a certain level of satisfaction in being able to cross it off your list.
Sadly, though, and I so hate to say this, the movie is better.
This review, along with our thoughts on other Che-related media, can always be found in the Library.
Find it on Amazon:
The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey
Hi
I am a huge Che fan (faults and all) and so could not wait to read Motorcycle Diaries. I felt so guilty and disloyal when I read it and I hated it! I did not bother to finish it. I had even bought my own copy of the book. I just had to have my own. After all it was Che’s memoirs. Having read less than half the book, I gave it to a friend of my brother’s.
Thanks for a fabulous site. The site talks to me as I am fascinated by the use of Che’s image, especially when used in ignorance.
Regards
Fairuz