( 5 reviews )
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( 4 of 5 found this review helpful ) Posted: Apr 5 2005
The author spends the entire book describing his highly romanticized time travelling with three "gypsies" he picks up in order to follow "the paths" of their ancestors. Highly speculative, his theories are so fanciful (think "Foucault's Pendulum" style associations) and without corroboration that, while they may be fascinating and interesting 'what-ifs' for people versed in Rromani studies, I am afraid this book will only spread more misconceptions, spawn unrigorous standards in research undertakings and give an even worse name to 'gadje' ethnographers than they already have made for themselves. He stereotypes various clans and nations to make them fit into his limited perspective of them (i.e. he wants there to be a natisye of "entertainers," another of "tinkers" etc) so as to concoct a hypothetical story of diaspora. Unless you've read EVERY other book out there on the subject, skip this one. If you're looking for a good primer, especially as a 'gadjo', go with Ian Hancock's book "We Are the Romani People." Sadly, Moreau's journey was much more fun for him to live than it is for us to read.
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( 2 of 6 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jan 28 2004
In response to the reviewer who accuses the Czechs of a crime they didn't commit, I have to say that the traveling lifestyle of the Rom people does present a problem. This lifestyle precludes them from making adequate living to feed their families, and forces them to supplement it by means that are not always legal or safe. The Czechs do see this as a problem, but their solution has been to provide jobs, living spaces, and education for the Rom children. In a great number of cases the jobs have been abandoned and the living spaces destroyed, as the recipients moved on to the next town.
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( 9 of 9 found this review helpful ) Posted: Sep 2 2002
I talked myself out of getting this book for almost a year, because of the word "Speculative" history. As a Romani researcher, dealing with pre-1600's gypsies, that word always makes me a little wary. But in reading this, Moreau puts forth some very interesting theories on the origins of the Roma. I think this book is more than worth its price, and that anyone interested in the origin theories should take a look at this!
