Chasing Bohemia

by Carmen Michael

Carmen is a jaded 28 year-old travel industry executive when she ditches her job in London and goes to Rio de Janeiro for a holiday. However, her dreary middle class life is swiftly turned upside down when she meets fiery Italian revolutionary Chiara, moves into a yellow mansion owned by a flamboyant, caftan-clad queen and falls in love with a local hustler. From there, Chasing Bohemia sets a cracking pace of melodrama that only a fantasy backdrop like Rio de Janeiro could sustain. Carmen's story winds its way through the anarchic backstreets of bohemian Rio, far from the sweeping beaches for which the city is more famous, and looks at the violence, unapologetic hedonism, and rampant infidelity that govern this far-flung paradise of the Latin tropics. Chasing Bohemia is a story about living recklessly and the surprising little truths about yourself you can discover through being immersed in poverty, isolation, and a culture that is not your own. "Carmen Michael's memoirs remind you of a way of life that makes you want to relive the golden years of European Bohemia..." - Director Stephen Hopkins "Vibrant, colorful and thoroughly entertaining... Chasing Bohemia is a delicious poolside read and a great introduction to the otherworldly, often violent extremes of Rio..." - CAA Creative Artists Agency Hollywood "An outstanding book about bohemian life in Rio... Always insightful, never self-indulgent, this is travel writing at its best' - Sydney Morning Herald "Well-realized and often highly amusing, Michael writes with pace and panache" - The Weekend Australian "A winning cocktail" - The Age.

Genres: Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Marcelinha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because I love the city of Rio De Janeiro, but I found myself cringing throughout the entire book. I found the writer at times patronising, spoilt and irritating. She questions the country's morals yet she fails to see the point of what the other characters try to explain to her. The book is full of little 'facts' which she uses to complement her story and give insight to the history and setting. However her Portuguese translations and spelling is awful, from miss-naming places such as posto nove, naming artists such as Tati Quebra Barraco incorrectly and translating numerous words wrong.

I did however read the whole thing and had I never been to Rio I may have enjoyed it. There are some funny parts in the book, but overall I wish she hadn't written it.

[Deborah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self Indulgent young person's view of the world. Glimpses of good descriptive writing but few and far between. I admit to a clash of values where I am embedded in protestant work ethic which conflicts with the lazy bohemian lifestyle.. once upon a time I wanted to go to Rio but not anymore!

[s]

I'm going to Rio - so that was the appeal of this book for me! Despite my dislike for the author, she did manage to offer some interesting insights into the Brazilian psyche. But her intermittent denigrations of other travellers as culture-blind, party-animals who didn't dare hop off the tourist-trail, really grated on my nerves - yet her actions constantly struck me as spoilt and ignorant. Still it was worth a read!

[Benito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of a girl losing her bohemian cherry on the road in Rio de Janeiro. Shows sides of Rio that I'd never known, and emphasised the Latin love of leisure and life through the eyes of someone not afraid to take risks with her life.

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book about bohemian life in Rio de Janeiro. Her rich descriptions of the musical culture and wild hedonism of the city of Rio de Janeiro were intoxicating. Strongly recommend as a poolside read.

[Marion Yewers]

What a marvellous insight into Lapa and Santa Teresa life. I loved Rio and nothing is quite like a Brazilian evening of music and dance. Looking forward to this Author's next book... when?

[Bahia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while travelling around Brazil and thought it was great fun. Loved the mad chapter on the malandros. I didn't it too seriously as I thought the author didn't either..