Tambo: Life in an Andean Village

Rating:
Summary: Not only suitable for students.. a beautiful read for anyone
Review: This book is not only suitable for a student of anthropology, it can be and should be read for pure pleasure. Basically a diary about Julia's experiences living with (and as) the Quechua for 1 year in a small village called Tambo. The book is filled with rich descriptions of the land, the people, their work and habits, the festivities, the surroundings and the life of these people, and in particular one extended family with who Julia and her husband, lived, worked and played with. Due to the closeness of the relationship between Julia and her hosts, the book describes the characters in a way that makes you become fond of them. Almost as if you know them yourself. The personal lives, ways, mannerisms and problems. By the time the book comes to an end you have had a rich insight into the very closed and ritual world of rural Quechua society and have shared the difficulties that Julia and her husband experienced. The most striking thing about the book, is that during the final pages you will be sharing the tears of Julia, as she leaves Tambo for the last time. And you will be left with the overwhelming desire to know what has since become of the people that you too have come to know and understand.

A wonderful, uplifting experience.