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Crying with Cockroaches: Argentina to New York with Two Horses
Launched by the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, this is an extraordinary travel/adventure tale. An undertaking against the odds. A journey considered by many as madness. Yet, South African born and ABC Person of the Week Marianne Du Toit was determined to follow her dream - adamant that with only two horses for company, she should explore the Americas, travelling from Argentina to New York City over 21 months. Limited equestrian experience, only one contact and an unknown continent, she persevered. Despite it being a journey of heartbreak, frustration, bureaucracy, loneliness, danger, and hunger, nothing stopped her from following her heart. Heart-warming encounters with local people combined with many hair-raising and dangerous moments make this book a page-turner. It's a simple tale, which explores the complexities of the human and equine spirit and indeed the marriage of the two. Both are pushed to the limits on this revealing epic journey, with very happy and very sad consequences. Courageous yet fragile, worried yet full of conviction, amongst people yet often lonely, carefree yet feeling unsafe - these are the themes which form part of the writer's physical and psychological journey into the unknown. Her adventures had a powerful message - you can overcome the impossible if you are determined and positive. Humour and a 'taking everyday as it comes' attitude helped a great deal too. Her story, told with sincerity and warmth, is bound to capture the readers' imagination. It is a story to be enjoyed by the young or old, fellow adventurers or those who simply prefer to explore the world from the comforts of their armchairs. More than 100 coloured pictures complete this unique story.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
415 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2007
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 11, 2011
Having been personally impacted by Marianne Du Toit on her journey, I read her book with interest to gain day to day detail of her two year adventure. She and her two horses stayed with my family for a couple days while she wrote, replaced a broken saddle, and tended to her horse's needs before making the final push towards her goal of reaching New York City.
What a remarkable woman to have struck out on her own, with not much planning, being open to what humanity and nature gave her in experience. It is a book about forging ahead into the unknown, with open heart and mind to learn of life.
I felt grateful to have met Marianne and hear her tale of the human experience. To have traveled with 2 horses as her only companions further complicated the experience because she was not only absorbed with her response to survival, but was also needing to care for another species needs as well.
Oh that we could all make a similar journey in life.
What a remarkable woman to have struck out on her own, with not much planning, being open to what humanity and nature gave her in experience. It is a book about forging ahead into the unknown, with open heart and mind to learn of life.
I felt grateful to have met Marianne and hear her tale of the human experience. To have traveled with 2 horses as her only companions further complicated the experience because she was not only absorbed with her response to survival, but was also needing to care for another species needs as well.
Oh that we could all make a similar journey in life.
March 11, 2011
A great adventure story, told with honesty and warmth. More then eighty colored photographs throughout the book, telling the 'visual side' of this amazing trip.
I was transported in to a different world and couldn't wait to come back to it every evening.
Highly recommended.
I was transported in to a different world and couldn't wait to come back to it every evening.
Highly recommended.
August 16, 2010
I heard about this book in a magazine about amazing women. She travelled from Argentina to New York City on horseback. She got the idea from a man who attempted the same thing in 1925 but only made it to Washington, DC. Still impressive. I was very intrigued. The story was very interesting, though it did drag at parts, and I was hoping for a summary of 200 pages, not 400 in an oversized paperback. However, the story wasn't as I expected. She decided she wanted to do this and gathered sponsorships; she was angry when companies did not sponsor her. She met people along the way and asked for food and shelter and help with her horses. She acted very entitled and that people should just do things for her because she was attempting something amazing. I guess I had the impression that she was going to be foraging for food herself; and I guess begging is one way to go about it. She left for the trip knowing very little about horses and speaking no Spanish and having no game plan. Yet, she expected people to help her. She wanted to go at this alone, yet begrudged people that just stood and watched her prepare her horses. The adventure was an interesting one; I just didn't care for her attitude.
July 15, 2017
I keep this book on my bookshelf to remind me to take risks. In reading it there were tons of times you wanted to scream No! Don't do that! to the author. But it's a reminder to me that many journeyed would never start if you waited for all of your i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed. For that reason this book (despite sections that drag a little) has a permanent spot on my bookcase.
January 23, 2013
Great travel book!!!
August 10, 2025
What an epic journey. What an experience. I read it to the end. But it’s not necessarily something I’d recommend. I think her writing takes away from the experience and leaves one feeling “spoiled child”. I’m sure that’s not the case. Maybe in better hands, or better editing we’d have got a better narrative of the experience.
October 1, 2019
Marianne is a brave woman and I loved the book!
June 27, 2011
I loved this book so much. I originally bought it because I am going travelling in South America for 3 months and I wanted to know how others had found it, what better way to be engrossed in a country than to traverse it by horseback!
It was very much a diary recount of the events Marianne experienced on her trip, the people she came across in their delightful diversity, uniqueness and kindness. Although tempered with a few difficult people, on the whole it really does restore your faith in the kindness and generosity of human beings, irrespective of their background, ethnic origin, religious views or economic status in life. It really did touch me. It's clear the author is also a good person too; she is of course prone to upset and grumpiness as any person would be on a trip of such magnitude, but she describes her relationship with her horses, friends and the people along the way with a lot of gratitude and humility I really had to hold back the tears as I read.
As with any real life story, events don't pan out as you expect and turmoil veers from what you might see in a typical novel with a beginning middle and end, which gives this book a great organic and unexpected quality. I now feel very confident in my approach to my travelling adventure this summer, relaxed that I needn't plan every step and that sometimes you have to just go with the flow and, as long as you have your wits about you, fear should not stop you from setting out to achieve your goals and following your heart. Good going Marianne!!
It was very much a diary recount of the events Marianne experienced on her trip, the people she came across in their delightful diversity, uniqueness and kindness. Although tempered with a few difficult people, on the whole it really does restore your faith in the kindness and generosity of human beings, irrespective of their background, ethnic origin, religious views or economic status in life. It really did touch me. It's clear the author is also a good person too; she is of course prone to upset and grumpiness as any person would be on a trip of such magnitude, but she describes her relationship with her horses, friends and the people along the way with a lot of gratitude and humility I really had to hold back the tears as I read.
As with any real life story, events don't pan out as you expect and turmoil veers from what you might see in a typical novel with a beginning middle and end, which gives this book a great organic and unexpected quality. I now feel very confident in my approach to my travelling adventure this summer, relaxed that I needn't plan every step and that sometimes you have to just go with the flow and, as long as you have your wits about you, fear should not stop you from setting out to achieve your goals and following your heart. Good going Marianne!!
Want to read
February 18, 2008Crying with Cockroaches tells the story of a journey considered by many to be madness. Yet, South African born Marianne Du Toit was determined to follow her dream - adamant that with only two horses for company, she should explore the Americas, travelling solo from Argentina to New York City in over 21 months, finishing in March 2004.
Limited equestrian experience, hardly any contacts and an unknown continent, she persevered. Despite it being a journey of heartbreak, frustration, bureaucracy, loneliness, danger and hunger, nothing stopped her from following her heart.
But this is not only a story of struggle and pain. It is also one of great joy and personal rewards. From peasants to high society, Marianne experienced the true human spirit of generosity. Her adventures had a powerful message - you can overcome the impossible if you are determined and positive. Humour and a 'taking everyday as it comes' attitude helped a great deal, too.
Limited equestrian experience, hardly any contacts and an unknown continent, she persevered. Despite it being a journey of heartbreak, frustration, bureaucracy, loneliness, danger and hunger, nothing stopped her from following her heart.
But this is not only a story of struggle and pain. It is also one of great joy and personal rewards. From peasants to high society, Marianne experienced the true human spirit of generosity. Her adventures had a powerful message - you can overcome the impossible if you are determined and positive. Humour and a 'taking everyday as it comes' attitude helped a great deal, too.
March 16, 2011
A totally honest account of one woman's struggle to travel alone from South America to New York on horseback. What is refreshing about this book is that it is devoid of jargon or spin - it is as if your best friend is talking to you at the end of her day to fill you in on all that has happened. Marianne's account of her journey is vivid and alive you can almost taste the dust and smell the hay.
A woman travelling alone and depending on strangers for food and shelter through so many countries must be a recipe for disaster, however one woman has done what many of us would feel was impossible. From this book we learn that if we are positive and truly believe in what we are doing we can achieve almost anything..... An excellent read.
A woman travelling alone and depending on strangers for food and shelter through so many countries must be a recipe for disaster, however one woman has done what many of us would feel was impossible. From this book we learn that if we are positive and truly believe in what we are doing we can achieve almost anything..... An excellent read.
November 6, 2011
This woman is crazy brave. The emphasis either on crazy and brave, depends on the page you are on!!! You can read the author as she grows in this trip, from being crying with cockroaches to understanding without judgement the different worlds she encounters.
You feel her love for her horses, and the amazing relationships formed with them. You realize how rich, some very poor people are! And how now group of nation has the monopoly on stupidity and greed, as well as compassion and care. We are all essentially the same, we just speak different languages.
AT times the author acts immature and whiny, but other times the caring woman comes through loud and clear.
I did not enjoy the actual reading as much as I enjoyed finding out what happens... I would had hired a different editor.
You feel her love for her horses, and the amazing relationships formed with them. You realize how rich, some very poor people are! And how now group of nation has the monopoly on stupidity and greed, as well as compassion and care. We are all essentially the same, we just speak different languages.
AT times the author acts immature and whiny, but other times the caring woman comes through loud and clear.
I did not enjoy the actual reading as much as I enjoyed finding out what happens... I would had hired a different editor.
February 22, 2011
I really loved this book, which was sent to me by a friend in the USA.
When I read some of the reviews here I thought that perhaps I was reading a different book! Then I went on to Amazon and realised I was not alone in my praise for an extraordinary adventure, well written, wonderful photographs and just simply one of those reads you don't want to end.
I did not get attitude from the rider/adventurer/author but found her rather humble with a great ability to laugh at herself and underplay the epic scale of what this journey involved.
I'd say get this book. I've recommended it to many and out of eight people, only one did not like it because he does not appreciate non-fiction.
When I read some of the reviews here I thought that perhaps I was reading a different book! Then I went on to Amazon and realised I was not alone in my praise for an extraordinary adventure, well written, wonderful photographs and just simply one of those reads you don't want to end.
I did not get attitude from the rider/adventurer/author but found her rather humble with a great ability to laugh at herself and underplay the epic scale of what this journey involved.
I'd say get this book. I've recommended it to many and out of eight people, only one did not like it because he does not appreciate non-fiction.
August 10, 2012
I loved how the book began, and I loved her descriptions of the places she traveled. I admire her ability to just go do something that she wasn't sure how it would turn out. People were so kind and welcoming to her in most places. I had trouble with her expecting people were going to help her no matter what. Why not carry some more food, or water?? She got upset when she didn't get help, but was so grateful when she did. I admire her tenacity.
May 24, 2010
An interesting memoir about a woman who seeks to travel from Argentina to New York with two horses. At times, her writing got way too detailed and rambling, but she had some very interesting experiences. I couldn't understand her motivation, but I was captivated by her descriptions, bravery, and adventures.
September 11, 2009
This is quite an adventure. Makes me want to do something grand.
July 7, 2008
What a journey, what a woman!
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January 8, 2013An amazing story - this woman was very brave (at times foolish) and very determined. A great read if you enjoy travel adventure
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews