bev3

Soon to Argentina for the first time. Anyone here have recommendations on books (fiction or nonfiction) that shed light on the country's history and culture through stories? Thanks!

MarnieWDC

Yes, bev3.

Classics for me were:

Jorge Luis BORGES : COLLECTED FICTIONS
translated by Andrew Hurley
Penquin Classics

& a biography by Edwin Williamson: BORGES: A Life

Do try to see a few Argentinean movies, for ex.,
Nine Queens
The Secret in their Eyes
The Maid (live-in maid ?)

I look forward to other posters' responses to add to my own readings. Have fun.

~MarnieWDC

bev3

Thank you MarnieWDC! I look forward to these. A find such reading before the trip to be a sort of cultural guide and gets me that much more excited about the visit. Also gives a different dimension to the real experience when I can make the connection to what I had learned from the books.

I do not have quite the same enthusiasm for advance reading of the guide books - except for necessary planning, I find guide books of more interest during and even after the trip

Scarlett

I was never much for Guide books, although Paris had some good shopping guides lol When our son came to visit, he brought his Rough Guides to Buenos Aires and he left it here.
It is an Excellent guide book !
Before our first trip to BA, we read magazines.. 4 years ago, BA was on the cover of every Travel Magazine and newspaper, or so it seemed, so it was fun and easy to read about the city that way. (Conde Nast Traveler was a big source of info back then)
I heartily agree with Marnie regarding the movies.
It is a great way to see the city and at the same time, get a feeling for the "atmosphere" here .. the Maid, Nine Queens are so good.
I used to even Google Buenos Aires and watch youtube videos of street fairs and street scenes, always with great music .

bev3

Thanks Scarlett. Got the Rough Guide today - now to find the movies!

Appreciate the comments.