Bury Me Standing : The Gypsies and Their Journey

by Isabel Fonseca

Release Date: 29 October, 1996

Edition: Paperback

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Good info, writing could've been better

Fonseca certainly did a commendable job researching her subject, and there is interesting and useful information all throughout the book. However, after wading through thousands of unnecessary words (where was her editor?), I still can't decide if the author respects her subjects or not.

She decsribes the stringent work ethic of her female hosts -- and in the next breath describes some Gypsies' cars as "pimpmobiles," a phrase which, while conjuring a visual image, certainly doesn't imply a respect towards these people or their culture. There are many other examples of cultural insensitivity in the book (such as her revulsion at two Gypsy men defecating outdoors -- well, if you don't have indoor plumbing or an outhouse, where would *you* go?), which caused me to question many of the opinions she ventures. I'm by no means a fan of "political correctness" for the sake of itself, but language which implies derision or disrespect leaves me feeling a bit sour.

If Fonseca (or her editors) had trimmed away the excess verbiage, and used some less prejudicial language, a higher rating would be in order.

Living with the Gypsies

Isabel Fonseca holds no punches when she writes about the gypsies. The author tells it like it is and makes no excuses for the lifestyle the gypsies choose to live with. The layout of the book is pretty good and the limited use of photos actaully enhances the book.