Bad Times In Buenos Aires

by Miranda France

Release Date: 01 January, 1999

Edition: Hardcover

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Good writing, sweeping generalizations

The writing was good and it kept my interest throughout. However, the writer paints a distorted picture of Argentines and their culture. After reading the book, those ignorant to the complexity of the Argentine identity would think that the country is a wasteland full of self-indulgent, self-centered, neurotic and melancholy brats. That is not the case. While Argentina may have an image-conscious and tabloid-reading society, those elements are not any more prevalent in other Latin American countries, namely Venezuela and Brazil (not to mention European countries, namely Spain and Italy). But Miranda France grossly exagerates the truth and sadly leaves out many of the wonderful things that have made Buenos Aires loved by many people. Grouping all porte�os together and simplifying the intricacies of their identity is not only irresponsible journalism, but you get the feeling that the author missed out on quite a lot. Did she even meet any middle-class argentinos? I know many and none have ever been to therapy. Anglo-saxons will never understand what it's like to be Latin-American and the book, while entertaining, illustrates this quite clearly.

Do not buy this if you want to learn about Buenos Aires

After living for many years in Buenos Aires, I've been living in the US for the last 5, I feel with some right to give an opinion about this book. All through the pages you can feel the bad intentions this girl had when wrote it. All the experiences she says she went through are unlikely to happen in everyday life in Buenos Aires. She expresses she lived a nightmare ("bad times") in one of the most friendly and beautiful cities on earth. I have lived in many places around the globe and I haven't found a place where I could have all the fun, make all the friends and fall in love so deeply with a city like in Buenos Aires. I am even planning on moving back there soon. Although with all the problems and contradictions any big city have, is one of the best places to live I found. Beautiful, charming, friendly, cosmopolitan... Is almost stupid thinking that the "unhappy" everyday events she tells, are specific BA problems. Last night I went to the grocery store (here in the US) and I have to stay in line for almost 30 minutes to pay. The phone, electric, etc.. bills I get here are exactly the same I used to get there. Apparently she was trying to meet and get involve with the most strange characters in town. That's not every day BA. It seems like she was in another city, some imaginary place made up buy her mind, all this peppered with a good dose of arrogancy and intentional disaproval. On the other hand she is not well informed at all about specific data about the city and its history. The book is over-charged with inaccurate information. I don't think Buenos Aires is the place for this girl (France), so, don't come back!!!!
For the rest of people that are interested in learning about Buenos Aires, do not waste your time and money reading this . A trip to Buenos Aires will take this book to pieces. God bless Buenos Aires!!!!+