Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a captivating blend of travelogue, coming-of-age memoir, and social commentary. Che Guevara’s vivid descriptions sweep you across breathtaking landscapes and into the heart of 1950s Latin America, all while offering raw, often humorous insights into his youthful adventures and the stark realities he witnesses. If you’re a fan of travel writing, interested in Latin American history, or curious about the roots of one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures, you’ll find a lot to love here. It’s particularly rewarding for readers who appreciate seeing a historical figure in a deeply human, formative stage before becoming a symbol.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers might be put off by Che’s privileged background and the way he and his friend occasionally take advantage of locals during their trip. The book isn’t always action-packed; sometimes it drifts into repetitive travel diary territory or tangents about political and social issues, rather than focusing solely on the motorcycle escapades. If you prefer straightforward travel adventures without much reflection or socio-political commentary, or if you’re looking for a step-by-step travel guide, this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
The Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guevara is an autobiographical memoir documenting his journey across South America with his friend. The book delves into the social and political transformation Che undergoes as he is confronted by the deep poverty and inequality prevalent in the region. Through his experiences during this trip before medical school, Che's perspective is radicalized, setting him on a path towards becoming a revolutionary figure. The writing style is described as a mix of personal anecdotes, reflections on the societal issues witnessed, and a raw, unpolished account of Che's youth and travels.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Potential triggers include discussions of social injustice, poverty, and other harsh realities of Latin American life.
From The Publisher:
A New York Times bestseller
With a new introduction by The Motorcyle Diaries filmmaker Walter Salles, and featuring 24 pages of photos taken by Che.
The Motorcycle Diaries is Che Guevara's diary of his journey to discover the continent of Latin America while still a medical student, setting out in 1952 on a vintage Norton motorcycle together with his friend Alberto Granado, a biochemist. It captures, arguably as much as any book ever written, the exuberance and joy of one person's youthful belief in the possibilities of humankind tending towards justice, peace and happiness.
After the release in 2004 of the exhilarating film of the same title, directed by Walter Salles, the book became a New York Times and international bestseller.
"A journey, a number of journeys. Ernesto Guevara in search of adventure, Ernesto Guevara in search of America, Ernesto Guevara in search of Che. On this journey, solitude found solidarity. 'I' turned into 'we.'"-Eduardo Galeano
"As his journey progresses, Guevara's voice seems to deepen, to darken, colored by what he witnesses in his travels. He is still poetic, but now he comments on what he sees, though still poetically, with a new awareness of the social and political ramifications of what's going on around him."-January Magazine
"Our film is about a young man, Che, falling in love with a continent and finding his place in it."
-Walter Salles, director of the film version of The Motorcycle Diaries
"All this wandering around 'Our America with a Capital A' has changed me more than I thought."
-Ernesto Che Guevara, from The Motorcycle Diaries
Ratings (4)
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Reader Stats (19):
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1 comment(s)
An epic journey, but delivered through quite boring vignettes
What can you read after
The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey?
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