book data
180 ratings,
3.70
average rating, 46 reviews
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published
March 9th 2004
by Villard
binding
Paperback, 416 pages
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isbn
0812967607
(isbn13: 9780812967609)
description
Desperate to escape South Texas, Stephanie Elizondo Griest dreamed of becoming a foreign correspondent. So she headed to Russia looking for some excit...more
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avg 3.70
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Damon turned me on to this book years ago. I've shared it with other friends and so far everyone has loved it. Here's a qoute I like..... "She (the Bloc) has taught me the difference between being alone and being lonely and made me ever selective of my company. In fact, the Bloc, has turned me into such a self-sustained, self-contained unit, I'm expecting to self-pollinate any day now." p.365
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Read in January, 2003
This was originally recommended to me by my friend Larisa. I read it about 6 years ago (maybe longer), so i can't write a detailed review at this point. I just remember being absolutely blown away. (I'm not easy to please either, and I've read a lot of boring travel books). Stephanie is an enthusiastic, talented writer. Her vivid descriptions are amazingly entertaining, informative, and very funny. I had no idea that it took her so long to write this book, that she stuck it out thru so man...more
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Read in May, 2009
This book struck me a little as if a ten-years-younger Carrie Bradshaw type wrote about communism, socialism, and being an American inostranka/laowei/extranjera instead of sex (although there's a smidgen of that, too, in here...and it seemed to actually get in the way a little). Griest's accounts were very personable...great for me whose foreign travels encompass less than half a day in Reynosa and cultural knowledge of Russia, China, and Cuba--apart from history and geography classes--is prett...more
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Read in May, 2009
While the concept is interesting, the story isn't engaging. This book is one of very, very few that I simply couldn't bring myself to finish.
Though "Around the Bloc" was written when Griest was only a few years younger than I am today, the narration comes across as immature and overly dramatized. Take this passage for example:
Though "Around the Bloc" was written when Griest was only a few years younger than I am today, the narration comes across as immature and overly dramatized. Take this passage for example:
We couldn't move, couldn't speak. Couldn't do a thing but watch...At some point, I turned around to find Kandy quivering. At first I thoug...more
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Read in July, 2008
At a lecture by a international CNN journalist, Stephanie asks how to get a job like his. His answer- learn to speak Russian. And she does.
Stephanie Elizondo Griest is a Mexican-American, a high school student when the Soviets lost power, and when the Tiananmen Square Rebellion occurred. What do the people of her generation think about communism? Are they yearning for freedoms we take for granted? Do they hope for democracy? What does her generation of Moscovites feel possible...more
Stephanie Elizondo Griest is a Mexican-American, a high school student when the Soviets lost power, and when the Tiananmen Square Rebellion occurred. What do the people of her generation think about communism? Are they yearning for freedoms we take for granted? Do they hope for democracy? What does her generation of Moscovites feel possible...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
political/cultural interests
At a lecture by a international CNN journalist, Stephanie asks how to get a job like his. His answer- learn to speak Russian. And she does.
Stephanie Elizondo Griest is a Mexican-American, a high school student when the Soviets lost power, and when the Tiananmen Square Rebellion occurred. What do the people of her generation think about communism? Are they yearning for freedoms we take for granted? Do they hope for democracy? What does her generation of Moscovites feel possible...more
Stephanie Elizondo Griest is a Mexican-American, a high school student when the Soviets lost power, and when the Tiananmen Square Rebellion occurred. What do the people of her generation think about communism? Are they yearning for freedoms we take for granted? Do they hope for democracy? What does her generation of Moscovites feel possible...more
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recommended to Iumi by:
neighborhood garage sale
recommends it for: everyone
recommends it for: everyone
First a comment on the author--she's uncompromisingly honest, amazingly courageous (or foolish?) and a good writer. Her adventures and misadventures behind the iron current, the bamboo curtain, and the coconut current (I made that up, I don't know what they call it in Cuba) are sometimes chilling, sometimes hilarious, and always interesting.
Her central question: was the revolution worth it? did the freeing women from foot binding, for example in China, balance out the great loss ...more
Her central question: was the revolution worth it? did the freeing women from foot binding, for example in China, balance out the great loss ...more
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Read in January, 2004
All my friends in college caught the bug of this fabulous and inspiring book — and were lucky enough to get to meet the author. An absorbing, introspective read for independent, young women who love to travel (although others will enjoy being immersed in her experiences as well!). Her narrative style is conversational and the pace is rapid-fire - you'll be amazed how quickly you blaze through this memoir.
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Read in October, 2005
recommended to Deanna by:
Lisa Eisenbreyrecommends it for: Those who like to travel to challenging places
How a UT College student travelogue to Russia, China & Cuba and deepens her understanding of the cultures, and changes her misconceptions in four years of traveling and living abroad. I was able to visualize visiting each city, and it made me appreciate her experience.
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Read in January, 2004
I read this book about 4 years ago. From what I remember I enjoyed it. Having never visited Russia or China it was much better than your average travel journals. The writer has a sense of humor in uncomfortable and sometimes scary situations.
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Read in November, 2008
Interesting premise, but many of Griest's conclusions seemed awfully shallow. You can definitely tell that she was in her early twenties without much historical grounding when she wrote the book. I was much less captivated by her perrsonal story than those of her friends Nadezhda and Elena in Moscow amd Liu and Yuer in Beijing. The section on Havana was particularly weak--sorry, but spending two weeks in Cuba as a tourist doesn't give you much insight into the lives of cubanos. Still, it was an ...more
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Read in December, 2004
Stephanie Elizondo Griest describes her experiences living in Moscow and Beijing and spending two weeks in Havana when she was in her early twenties. I'm usually able to gobble up books of this genre in a couple of days. I thought the subject matter would be fascinating. Instead I found the author's writing a bit too meandering and frequently felt myself drifting to other thoughts while I was trying to concentrate on the book. There were a few interesting dribs and drabs. Overall, I think a...more
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Read in March, 2009
I enjoyed this book a lot. I like books (either fiction or non-fiction) set in China and Russia, so this was right up my alley. Griest is an honest narrator who shows great maturity.
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Read in January, 2006
Got to hear this author speak at the Gala dinner at the Texas Book Festival, although the crowd practically ignored her and almost hooted her during her presentation. Granted her voice is very high pitched and girlish, and she went on several minutes too long, but she's a fabulous writer, and extraordinarily gifted. I'd recommend this book to any young person who is dreaming of traveling the world.
mk
mk
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2007
omg, I studied in Moscow, and it was nothing like I'd imagined! omg, I edited propaganda in China and had my assumptions challenged! omg, I was in Cuba for a few weeks, and clicked my heels together and realized there was no place like home.
Okay, to be fair, this is a pretty entertaining book, and the author's clearly done her homework and put in her time. She just comes off as so...young.
Okay, to be fair, this is a pretty entertaining book, and the author's clearly done her homework and put in her time. She just comes off as so...young.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Beginner Travelers
I learned that I am getting old!!
While I am full of admiration for Stephanie, I was also horrified at some of the foolish risks she took during her travels. However, the book combined wise observation, youthful enthusiasm and just enough historical background to make an excellent read that caused me to think about my cultural biases in a new light.
While I am full of admiration for Stephanie, I was also horrified at some of the foolish risks she took during her travels. However, the book combined wise observation, youthful enthusiasm and just enough historical background to make an excellent read that caused me to think about my cultural biases in a new light.
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Read in June, 2008
This book made me feel like I should have done more when I was just out of school. Travel more, take more risks etc. The author is entertaining with her anecdotes and descriptions of visits to Russia, China, and Cuba. At times I felt she overdid the journey of self discovery, but it didn't take away from the book as a whole.
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09/17/08
Rachel
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Read in October, 2008
Enjoying this and just saw the author (who studied at UT) speak at BookPeople. The book is enjoyable and doesn't give the surface treatment of communism/political issues you might expect from a book that also delves into her love life. I'm learning as I'm entertained (my favorite kind of read).
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2004
This journal of one girl's travels through Russia, China and Cuba did a great job of contrasting three phases of communist politics and all the while preserving the unique cultures of each country. More than anything I found her interactions wiith local youth to be the most revealing.
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