Long After Midnight at the Niño Bien: A Yanqui s Missteps in Argentina

by Brian Winter

After moving to Argentina on a whim, Brian Winter, a young American reporter, embarks on a crusade to learn that devilishly difficult dance that demands both discipline and the tango. While he dances the night away in the milongas with the fiery denizens of Buenos Aires, the country around them collapses, gripped by inflation, street riots, and revolution. In a book that is part travelogue and part history, the author evokes his immersion in a dark underworld. He visits old dance salons, brothels, and shacks on the dusty Pampa, searching for the tango's shady origins in the hope that understanding may help him dance better. Along the way, he discovers that the tango, with its tales of jealousy, melodrama, and lost glory, may hold the secret to the country that is inexplicably disintegrating before his eyes.

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction, History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2007

Reviews

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a memoir of a man fresh from college who decides to move to Argentina. Unfortunately he chose to move there a month or so before the last revolution began. It is an amazing story about him learning not only how to dance the tango but also the history of the dance and the country. I absolutely loved it! I couldn't help but love the old creepy men who seem to lurk in the dark corners of the Tango bars. Egos galore and still I want to see them dance....not sure about dancing with them. (-: It brings to mind something so horribly grotesque and yet so beautiful. The book makes me miss the gauchos whom I've honestly never really cared about knowing. It makes me feel so sorry for such men being urbanized despite the history of them killing off Native (south) Americans. All the biased, prejudiced ideas of where the tango came from is amusing and sadly real. And then the eruption of the revolution...Frightening...with the history of Argentina and its hey day the backdrop. It could be a tragic story if the Argentina people didn't seem so used to it.

[Lindsay]

With my job at THINK Global School, these kinds of books are really helpful for combining narrative with historical information. It's not always the best tactic to assimilate by reading the perspectives of other expats or Americans in your current destination, but Winter's job as a reporter for Reuter's during his time in Buenos Aires resulted in a narrative with more substance than the average travel book. His focus on the Tango is an interesting lens into the Argentine history and identity, and it's certainly sexier than turning all attention to the fiscal crisis that occurred during his tenure in 2001. I wasn't inspired enough to write a full review, but it was a worthwhile read for understanding the context in which BsAs functions today.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

IF you are at all interested in the tango then this is a book for you, me not but the history part was very well written and organized. I enjoyed that part of it only. I have to question the accuracy of what the author wrote about his experiences, some were so unbelievable .

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable read weaving tango into the fabric of Argentina's mercurial history.

[Patricia Vahanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like tango this book would take you into the heart of Buenos Aires tango scene and help you discover some of its deepest secrets.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked the premise of this book, which revealed an interesting aspect of Argentine culture through the eyes of a U.S. expat. It was fascinating to learn a bit about the lives and times of a group of men who essentially live for tango.

However, I read the book while still in distress about the recent U.S. presidential election of a misogynist who habitually degrades women, so certain attitudes toward women expressed in the book rankled me maybe more than they ordinarily would (for example, the author and the main characters spend many evenings leering at the body parts of various women and rating their attractiveness, and the author compares one woman, his love interest/tango teacher, to "a Mercedes" while others were "Yugos.")

I was reading the book while on a trip to Argentina, and I ended up really enjoying and learning from the parts of the book (mostly in the second half) that recapped the history of Argentina that gave rise to tango. In general, I'd recommend this book for anyone interested in tango or Argentine history.

[Liz Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea of this book, living and learning about a country through its unique dance culture, is very interesting. However, the book itself was rather dull and lacked description to make it really pop.

[Tom Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still on my 'currently reading' shelf so regard these as 'thoughts in progress'.

I love Buenos Aires and I love tango, so when I saw this I just had to buy it. (The fact that it was in my local pound store [!!!!] helped.)

Instead of the usual confused rubbish from people who understand neither the city nor the dance, I found a book that captures the intensity of both. It shows Buenos Aires in all its filthy, corrupt, lazy, rude, thieving, wonderful, exciting, life-affirming, loving, passionate glory. The contradictions and insanity of the city make it almost impossible for me to explain to people who have never visited why I spend a fortune in air fares flying there from the UK again and again. Brian Winter's book is the only thing I've read that comes close to capturing the place.

As to the tango - well, in what I've read so far, he's still at an early stage. But he does seem to grasp the essence of the dance in a way that some people who have been shuffling round the floor in increasingly complicated patterns for years clearly have not. Take everything you ever saw on 'Strictly' (or 'Dancing with the Stars')purge it from your mind and read this book.

Part travelogue, part coming of age story, this is a book that makes me laugh and which has told me new things about a city I thought I already knew pretty well. He catches people as individuals and as types and also brings to life the political atmosphere of a society in turmoil. (Argentina is always in turmoil but his visit came at a particularly dramatic time.) His prose style is excellent, his research (and the book carries real learning lightly) is thorough. I don't agree with everything he says (no two people who dance the tango will agree on everything) but half way through this book I have nothing but praise for it.

If you already know the city or the dance, you will love this book. If you don't, then the book will show you a place, an art form and a way of life that you have never seen and which is worth a peek. You never know: his enthusiasm may make you want to explore further.

Buy it. Even if you have to pay more than a pound.

EDIT (having finished it). The last few chapters aren't as good as the rest. He's in Buenos Aires as the political system collapses, the banks effectively steal everyone's money, the economy stops and the country hovers on the edge of civil war. As a young would-be milonguero, I can see why he can't really get a handle on all this. But as the political editor of USA Today, I'd expect a bit more analysis of what was going on, some discussion of the dollar parity policy and the effects of its collapse, some mention of the legalised theft by the banks (when we first visited Buenos Aires people would use bank lobbies as lavatories and if you understood what had happened, you'd see why). So the end is definitely not up to the standard of the beginning. Overall, then, probably 4.5 stars but as this isn't an option, I'll stick with 5.

[Emmet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best tango book I've read so far, although I have only read three so far. This one is by far the best written, contains more information both about tango and Argentina than any other, and has the best protagonist.

However, I still search for the great tango book or novel. By the end of this memoir, I'm not left entirely clear what the main narrative was. It seems likely it was the story of the non-romance between the narrator, Brian, and his tango teacher, but there was so little of that. It could have been the romance between the writer and Argentina, as the writer himself suggests, but I don't buy that, primarily because it's not really developed in the book, at least, not to my satisfaction.

However, despite the flaws of the book, it is definitely a good, fun read, and definitely worth the time.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, a disclaimer: I am a tango addict who hopes to someday travel to Argentina, so this book was like a virtual dream vacation (apart from its happening during a major economic crisis). Having danced tango for only ~1/2 a year, I am still learning about the rich and complex culture of this fascinating dance. This book was an entertaining introduction to tango history and present-day culture. I could also relate to the way that the author was unexpectedly drawn to tango by the beauty of the dance and music, and the connection it forges between people of different genders and cultures. Should be required reading for all tangueros and, especially, the friends and family who marvel at its hold on them.

[Ramon4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. A travelogue, a coming-of-age story, and the history of Argentina and the Tango. In the year 2000, Brian Winter graduated from college, and decided to go to Buenos Aires. Unable to find work, he bummed around the Tango nightclubs and became initiated into a group of Tango enthusiasts. Winter tells of his life while Argentina was going through a financial crisis and everybody was losing their life savings. The trip might have been the worst move for Brian Winter, except, he learned how to Tango, and developed a passion for the dance and the people who live to Tango. I have just returned from a trip to Argentina, and this book was given to me by my host in Buenos Aires.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part travel memoir, part history. The book was clumsily structured, cliché-ridden, and the character development was slim to none. Many of the historical portions felt like they were copied directly from research snippets.

I kept hoping for a morsel of interesting text and only found it at the very end of the book when he discussed in greater detail the fallout from the 2001 financial crisis (thus one more star). Otherwise, the book was a big disappointment and really not worth my time.

[Sharon Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book concisely explains much about the Tango and Argentina. Through the eyes of a young American journalist we get an understanding of the mystery of the tango and why we're so fascinated with it. We develop insight to Argentina society, and I was surprised and intrigued by his explanation of racism, pride, and depression in the country. I hope you will take a little time out of your life to read this delightful book.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the only nonfiction book on Argentina I could find in the whole of the haunted bookshop in Iowa city on the Sunday before we left on our trip. It was a hardback and sort of pricey, but for some reason I really wanted to have it to take w me. So glad I bought it-- a great minihistory and cultural study of the country, super easy and funny to read, and an excellent resource for anyone headed to Argentina for a vacation or to live. Loved it!!

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

In honor of the 10th anniversary of my trip to Argentina, I thought this book would help me reminisce. Instead, it irritated me with a string of cliches upon cliches. Who knew that they don't eat Mexican food down there??? I'm giving it two stars, however, b/c it does offer some good on-the-spot reporting of the 2001 financial crisis.

[Briana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book last year...but now that I´ve lived in Argentina for a semester I can say that it still has a long way to go in trying to capture everything that makes up the Argentine spirit. Still an interesting read, but of course not the same as experiencing the real thing.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of the tango and it's relation to Argentinian politics and history. I found it a bit disjointed and struggled to finish it but it did refresh my knowledge of Argentinian politics and gave me some insight in to the tango.

[Susan Gloss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book transported me to the late nights and dark alleys of Buenos Aires. The author's voice is very engaging-- like talking to a well-traveled friend. An entertaining, informative read even if you know or care nothing about dance.

[Mary K Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be a good read for newbies to tango and anyone who wants to know the history of tango and Argentina. It will make you want to take off on the next available flight to Buenos Aires and not come back.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and easy read about American who travels to Argentina to live for a few years. His description of BA and the local characters really give you a feel for the place.

[JulieK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Argentinian history and culture as viewed through the lens of the tango. Interesting and worth reading, but had room for improvement.

[Geoffslagheap · Rating 4 out of 5]

a bit too 'liberal' for my tastes, but overall great writing to give a wonderful vision of buenos aires. definitely made me want to drop everything and move there (and learn the tango)

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but could have used a good edit -- weirdly paced and structured.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part memoir, part travelogue, part history of the tango, part history of Argentina, reads like an (unrequited) love story with a country, a woman and a dance: beautiful!

[Amanda (Mandy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Gives alot of insight into Argentine culture, tango and the economic collapse of 2002.

[Lizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but probably because it was about BsAs and tango and not for his writing.

[Debi Gontier · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and fun read about the history of politics and the tango in Argentina.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written from the viewpoint of an outsider and someone whose background is not dance. Also interesting in reading about Tango from a male point of view.

[Angela Natividad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very personal glimpse of the tango, its history and what it means to Argentina. It made me want to dance.

And eat steak.

[Hlm]

Copyediting grumble: How does a book even peripherally about tango consistently render cabeceo, the inclination of the cabeza used to invite someone to dance, as cabaceo?