 
Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru
Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 5
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 On: 2007-01-20
In true Dervla-style, this book logs her journey through the Andes with her young daughter and a mule. The little family traces Pizarros route through Peru from Cajamarca to Cuzco. Dervlas ability to live so simply, and quite frankly endure such hardships, never ceases to amaze me. Her daughter, Rachel, shares that same talent. As with her other books, she paints a realistic picture of the country; the good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. Ever empathetic and never judgemental, she describes the land, people, villages as well as economic/political situations in an easygoing style.
On: 2004-09-21
Its a travelogue, after all, how good can it be? Very good, actually. The Misses Murphy are not only intrepid explorers (lunatic also applies, as Ms. Murphy herself notes), but excellent observers. I suppose that is why she gets published. "Eight Feet" is not only funny but educational, and cannot help but kindle wanderlust in the reader. Best read episodically (think every night before bed) because that is how it is written, one travels with them by sharing in the emotional triumphs and tribulations. While her nature descriptions are evocative, one really connects with the more human aspects of the journey. I can only try to imagine the rivers and mountains, and it took me half the book to grasp what puna referred to geographically. Banks, thievery, and rumbling bellies are in abundance, however, and are what make this book worth reading. The same holds true for "Where the Indus is Young" and, I imagine, the rest of her books. When Ive read them, Ill let you know!
by: Anonymous On: 2001-02-13
Dervla Murphy is definitely a one of a kind treasure. The vistas she conjurs up in this book are breathtaking. The hardships she endured are more than most of would care to experience in our travels. Still, its a great armchair experience! (This review has migrated from its proper location. It is for the book Eight Feet in the Andes by Dervla Murphy.)
On: 2000-02-13
Wonderful, uncomplicated and witty descriptions of the environment, culture, peoples and journey. Amazing courage to do what had to be done to get through. Made me want to travel mysel, instead of earning large amounts of money in an office. Truly inspirational.
by: Anonymous On: 1998-09-03
Although the thought of reading about Dervla Murphys trip throught the Peruvian Andes did not greatly interest me because of the potential for boring day-by-day narration, I found Murphys description and narration of her trip very enlightening. Murphy deftly ties together her story of her trip with historical facts and cultural observations of Peru. Although I did not always agree with Murphys opinion of the Peruvian people, she gave me food for thought during my trip to Peru.
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