The Apprentice Tourist

Acclaimed modernist writer Mário de Andrade embarked on a three-month odyssey up the Amazon River with a group of avant-garde luminaries, including a socialite, her two nieces, and the author himself. Andrade's sarcastic, down-to-earth diary entries offer comedic and awe-inspiring details of life and the landscape, as well as trace his internal metamorphosis, challenging what he thought he knew about the Amazon and altering his understanding of his motherland.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

After years of envisioning the Amazon, acclaimed modernist writer Mário de Andrade embarked on a three-month odyssey up the great river and into the untamed heart of his native Brazil. Accompanied by a group of avant-garde luminaries, the journey began with all but a socialite, her two nieces, and, of course, the author himself abandoning ship. Thus, commenced the humorous account of Andrade's steamboat adventure into one of the most perilous and awe-inspiring corners of the world.

Riddled with astute observations and effervescent humor, his sarcastic, down-to-earth diary entries not only provide comedic and breathtaking details of life and the landscape but also unveil his internal transformation. His travels challenge his preconceived notions about the Amazon and profoundly reshape his understanding of his motherland.

The journey was marked by numerous challenges and unforeseen circumstances. They encountered treacherous waters, dense forests, and diverse wildlife, including jaguars, piranhas, and even a giant anaconda. Despite the dangers, Andrade's indomitable spirit and sense of adventure remained unwavering.

Through his experiences, Andrade gained a newfound appreciation for the resilience and ingenuity of the Amazonian people. He witnessed their traditional customs, languages, and ways of life, and was struck by their deep connection to the land and its natural resources.

In addition to his personal growth, Andrade's journey also had a profound impact on his writing. His vivid descriptions and insightful observations of the Amazon inspired many of his subsequent works, and his writing became more introspective and reflective.

As the journey drew to a close, Andrade returned to his homeland with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the world. His Amazonian odyssey had transformed him in ways he could never have imagined, and he continued to explore the region and its people throughout his life.

In conclusion, Mário de Andrade's Amazonian odyssey was a remarkable adventure that not only fulfilled his lifelong dream but also transformed him in profound ways. His journey through the perilous and breathtakingly beautiful corners of the world not only offered comedic and awe-inspiring details of life and the landscape but also revealed his internal metamorphosis. Through his experiences, Andrade gained a newfound appreciation for the resilience and ingenuity of the Amazonian people, and his writing became more introspective and reflective. His legacy continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

Weight: 178g
Dimension: 196 x 127 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780143137351