So Far from God: A Journey to Central America

by Patrick Marnham

Chronicles the author's journey to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, writing of guerilla movements, Church activities, and journalistic standoffs and evoking lucidly the people and predicaments he encountered

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Spain

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Bob Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

visiting civil wars

I found this book to be a mixed bag. Why? Well, the author set out to report from the then (first part of the 1980s) civil wars of Central America—Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. But, he started from California, took the train to Mexico City, flew to Oaxaca, and then traveled by bus to Guatemala. This earlier part of his trip, over 100 pages marked by various facts and a few interesting observations, is not impressive, though it might have been entertaining for British readers, who already knew that America is weird, crass, and “not up to snuff”.

My feelings about SO FAR FROM GOD are mixed as well. Marnham is no doubt a brave man, who journeyed and poked about in very violent, unsettled areas. His reports about the wars are illuminating. He puts in some good character sketches and his descriptions are excellent. But, I felt that he looked at the people and their situation as if from on high. He wrote about churches and the Catholic position in the areas where he traveled with considerable attention and interest, otherwise I perceived that he felt he and his society were “clever and cultured” as opposed to those he was examining. He did not seem to have prepared very well for his trip, learning some basic facts as he went. He comes across as an urbane European slumming it in Central America—not a position I admired. For example, on p.109 he wrote about Christianity in the Mexican state of Chiapas, where the population is still heavily Maya, “There has always been a mystery about the Indian’s Christianity. It is heavily tainted with pre-Christian features.” 1) There is no mystery. When a religion of one culture is imposed on another, a mixture always results. 2)”Tainted”? Give me a break! And 3) What about European Christianity, Mr. Marnham? Is it not full of pre-Christian features as well? A case of the pot calling the kettle black if there ever was one. I felt he was saying “My Christianity is real, yours is just a goulash.” And then, on p.106 he found himself hoping…”that the truth of Amerindian civilization will remain as obscure as do the thoughts of Indians today.” There’s a fine piece of writing! Let’s not learn anything. It’s impossible to know what “those people” are thinking (if they are thinking at all). Did you try to talk with them? Oh, you didn’t speak their languages? I rest my case.

Marnham got an award for travel writing from Thomas Cook and I readily admit that his description of the violent, confused situation of civil war is good, but this book provided me more annoyance than pleasure.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

By and large, I liked Patrick Marnham's So Far from God: A Journey to Central America except for one thing: He is completely tone-deaf when it came to understanding why Mexico and Central America have been susceptible to left wing insurrections. He is too much on the side of the jackbooted rightists.

On the other hand, he is a good travel writer and provides an interesting, if partisan view of the lands he crosses. I have been to Mexico about ten times and have visited numerous Maya, Olmec, Totonac, and Toltec ruins. Marnham has no understanding of how the pride that went with some highly successful ancient civilizations translated into restiveness under the Spanish and Yanqui yoke. I am truly amazed that he never even bothered to visit any of the ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A- Very similar to Theroux; really engaging travel writing about traveling around Central America and Mexico. Interesting character sketches, esp about the guerrillas and the refugees and the insane violence that occurs; however, at times, he feels quite detached from the people he is seeing and that is a drawback.

[Reuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Correct title. Not sure about author or book (?)

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I enjoyed this in part because it was intriguing to compare Marnham's account to present-day experience, with the knowledge of a subsequent 50 years of history since the book was written. Travelling the region now and feeling safe, surrounded by tourist infrastructure and people of all ages from all over the world who have come to visit, it's thought provoking to read Marnham's account of a dangerous, volatile and divided region.

I'm not sure it deserves the accolades on the back cover (though maybe again that's with the benefit of hindsight?) - there are deftly written vignettes of local peoples which are in turn amusing and slightly tragic, and some interesting reflections on colonialism and the US relationships of the time. It is however superficial and voyeuristic in places, and becomes repetitive (chaotic bus journey, sighting of violent group, visits church, speaks with journalist / local official about what a mess it all is) - I had hoped for something perhaps more detailed and nuanced. Nonetheless, an insightful and enjoyable read from a bold, incisive author.

[Stephen]

The short version is in the cover hype text. Death lurks around every corner, alongside a kind and religious people. Marnham tells the story of a people scarred by invasion and savage inter-tribal politics.

There is a historical counterpoint with the last book I finished (Frayn's 'Headlong'), which touches on the savage Spanish Inquisition prosecuted in the Netherlandish (Dutch/Belgian) region in the 1560s. Whereas the blood-drenched brutality of the sixteenth-century low countries led to popular push for quietism, Marnham finds a Central America fractured by politics.

The coach rides are occasionally hair-raising, with the crack of bullets rarely far away. Marnham takes a risk in his adventures but recognises his privilege in being able to fly out whenever ready. As with most travelogues, it's this interloper status that remains longest on the palate, but with plenty here for the brain too.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly great travel narrative. Mr. Marnham's eye for absurdity is one of his great strengths as a writer, and this journey showcases it well. But it's the compassion and gentle fascination with the places he visits and people he meets that really shine through and round out the story. The portrait of the civil war in El Salvador is especially illuminating. It's a shame that this book is not more widely known.

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this, thinking from the title, it was going to be a preachy book about missionaries.
Luckily it is not. Well written, covering light history and the people met in his travels through Mexico and parts of Central America.

[Guillermo]

I accidentally bought this book thinking it was one i needed for a class of mine (there's a fiction book entitled the same name). What I read during my delusion is what made me keep it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary on Central American politics including a bit about how to find an illicit activity in Latin America: simply look for the sign prohibiting it, and there they will be engaging in it.