15.3 - Continental Divide

[Liz M]

Argentina: Kiss of the Spider Woman
Brazil: Paulo Coelho
Peru: Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa

[chucklesthescot]

I was in terror of getting South America so I was delighted to get Asia on the roll as I have a huge pile of Asian themed books! Anyone with Asia who is stuck for book ideas check out my read and to read shelves and you'll see lots of books!

[Patricia]

South America: Brodie's Report by Jorge Luis Borges (Argentina) -OR- Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia) -OR- The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño (Chile) -OR- Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho (Brazil) -OR- The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho (Brazil) -OR- The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder (Peru)

[Emily IN]

Will this book work for Asia Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand ? Part of it takes place in Thailand but since it isn't all set there I want to check. Thanks!

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Emily IN wrote: "Will this book work for Asia Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand ? Part of it takes place in Thailand but since it isn't all set..."

From the description, it's hard to tell how much actually takes place in Thailand, but it doesn't sound like the book is predominantly set there. It has to be over half set in Asia to work for this task.

[Juniper]

One great Australian writer I enjoy a lot is Tim Winton. He has several really good books, but my favourite is Cloudstreet : A Novel.

[Christine US]

How much of the book has to take place in the selected continent? For example, if the book starts in the US, but then they travel to another continent and remain there for the rest of the book-- does that count?

[Manday]

Thanks guys! I do have some Gabriel Garcia Marquez on my shelf, I just did not know what countries he writes about! that will be perfect. I guess all continents are represented on my to-read list.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Christine US wrote: "How much of the book has to take place in the selected continent? For example, if the book starts in the US, but then they travel to another continent and remain there for the rest of the book-- do..."

At least half of the book has to take place in the selected continent.

[Nicoletta]

Does Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw work for South America?

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Nicoletta wrote: "Does Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw work for South America?"

It sounds as if it predominantly takes place in South America, and in that case, yes.

If the majority of the book were something like strategy sessions in DC about catching him, then that wouldn't work.

[Nicoletta]

Okay, great. Thank you Sandy.

Sandy wrote: "Nicoletta wrote: "Does Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw work for South America?"

It sounds as if it predominantly takes place in South America, and in that c..."

[Nancy]

Jennifer wrote: "One great Australian writer I enjoy a lot is Tim Winton. He has several really good books, but my favourite is Cloudstreet : A Novel."

I recently read Cloudstreet and really enjoyed it. I got Australia and was thinking of another Tim Winton book. Which one would you recommend?

[Juniper]

Nancy wrote: "I got Australia and was thinking of another Tim Winton book. Which one would you recommend?"

I have read: Breath, Dirt Music and The Turning: Stories. They are all good, but I liked The Turning the most. It is connected short stories. Generally, the short story genre is not my thing, but this really worked for me. I think Winton is one of those writers with whom you can't go wrong. I have also heard really good things about The Riders and it is on my own TBR. I don't know if this helps or not, Nancy?? :P

[Nancy]

Jennifer wrote:
I have read: Breath, Dirt Music and [book:The Turning: Storie..."

Thanks, Jennifer! I may read The Turning for the short story task AND one of the others for this task, then.

[Liz]

Does New Zealand work for Australia? I was considering using the author Juliet Marillier.

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Liz wrote: "Does New Zealand work for Australia? I was considering using the author Juliet Marillier."

Yes it does. I had to look this up, and found that the continent appears to be more often called Australia/Oceania, and it includes New Zealand (as well as places like the Cook Islands and the Marshall Islands).

How about that!

[Paul]

Would COETZEE JOHN M. count for Australia? He is really South African but John Maxwell Coetzee lives in Australia and became an Aussie citizen two years ago. "I was attracted by the free and generous spirit of the people, by the beauty of the land itself and - when I first saw Adelaide - by the grace of the city that I now have the honour of calling my home."

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

Paul wrote: "Would COETZEE JOHN M. count for Australia? He is really South African but John Maxwell Coetzee lives in Australia and became an Aussie citizen two years ago. "I was attracted by th..."

If he's a citizen, then I'd say he's now "from" Australia.

[Paul]

thank you

[southpaw285]

Another book for Australia is A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute. I read it recently and really enjoyed it.