Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion

Traveler's Literary Companion

by C.M. Mayo (Editor)

Mexico has long been the top travel destination for Americans. But until now, there has not been such a panoramic vision of offered by some of Mexico's finest contemporary writers of fiction and literary prose. Here are writings — many translated for the first time — that bring you to the people of the beaches, the deserts, jungles, snow-capped mountains, and megacities. The voices are rich and diverse, the stories enthralling and strange. These writings shatter stereotypes as they provide a rollicking journey from the Pacific to the Gulf, from Yucatan to the U.S.-Mexico border, from humble ranchos to a fabulous mountaintop castle. Contributors include Daniel Reveles, Carlos Fuentes, Inés Arredondo, Jesús Gardea, Elizondo Elizondo, Agustín Cadena, C. M. Mayo, Carlos Monsiváis, Juan Villoro, Guadalupe Loaeza, Fernando del Paso, Mónica Lavín, Pedro Ángel Palou, Ángeles Mastretta, Raúl Mejía, Martha Cerda, Araceli Ardón, Bruno Estañol, Ilan Stavans, Raymundo Hernández-Gil, Julieta Campos, Alberto Ruy Sánchez, Rosario Castellanos, and Laura Esquivel.

Genres: Travel, Short Stories, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

C.M. Mayo is the author of The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire , as well as the widely-lauded travel memoir, Miraculous Air: Journey of a Thousand Miles through Baja California, the Other Mexico , and Sky Over El Nido , which won the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction. She is also the editor of Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion , which was published by Whereabouts Press in March 2006.

Reviews

[Mikel Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best collections of literary works about Mexico, edited by acclaimed literary journalist/ translator C.M. Mayo. She arranged the contributions by geography in Mexico, so the book leads readers on a journey from the U.S. Borderlands through the North, into Central Mexico, along the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan peninsula, and the South and Southwest. Many familiar names inform and guide the traveler along the way – Reveles, Fuentes, Esquivel – plus Mayo herself. It served as a conceptual model for a 2015 anthology titled “Mexico: Sunlight & Shadows,” which also includes Reveles and Mayo, but which focuses on more contemporary writers than this 2006 classic. As with any journey, real or literary, it's best not to rush lest the traveler miss something. Take your time and enjoy “traveling” through Mexico with this great group of writers as your guides.

[Holly Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this anthology of short stories, essays and excerpts by Mexican writers, I felt like a prospector who has stumbled onto a vein of precious gemstones. Having been years since delving into the short story genre, the ones included here, each told with a masterful, nuanced efficiency, were all reminders of what I’ve been misusing.

Together theses writings represent a wealth of work by award-winning novelists, poets and essayists, many of whom are not well known outside of Mex-centric literary circles, but nearly all of which I’m now eager to explore further.

And this is just the Mexican edition! The book is also part of the “A Travelor's Literary Companion” series by Whereabouts Press that includes collections from Australia, Cuba, Greece, Israel, Japan, and numerous other lands.

Forget vein; I’ve stumbled onto the mother load! Thank you to writer/publisher/editor/translator C.M. Mayo for making this inspired collection possible!

[Marisa Buller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to find this book: short stories connected to different regions and states in Mexico. The stories that I found myself enjoying the most happened to be those from the places I knew and loved: “The Green Bottle” (the northern desert), “Lady of the Seas” (Baja California), “Banquets” (Michoacán), “It is Nothing of Mine” (Querétaro), “Swift as Desire” (Yucatán).

The story that will stick with me the most is “Tarantula” (Veracruz). Oh, god. It was terrible and hilarious. I want to make my friends read it so I can laugh while they cringe in horror and revulsion.

The only thing left to be desired by this book? A story from the northern states I love the most. But I’m content with the fact that it ends with “Swift as Desire,” by Laura Esquivel (and she did coahuilenses proud with Like Water for Chocolate).

[Teresa Carbajal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of short stories and excerpts that introduce readers to Mexican writers and showcase the diversity of Mexico's regions and their impact on writing and storytelling. It’s a great way to discover new authors and add several titles to your to-read list.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming read that transports you throughout the country and into the heart of the real Mexico!

[steven tulipana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy this series.

[Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection was offered to me just before I traveled to Mexico. It made me realize that I had never read a book by a Mexican author, in spite of renown writers as Octavio Paz and Carlos Fuentes. I have since been correcting this fault and this volume was a handful introduction. Although it has not been my main source of information, it also stimulated me to explore further some of the authors included in it.

As it is organized according to the different geographical areas of Mexico, I started off by reading the works that were set in the parts where I was at the time, hoping to add up to my experience of the places. Upon my return, I proceeded with the texts set in the regions that I have not been to. Playfully indulging in the geographical organization made me curious about the remaining titles of this series, a proposal with criteria that I would normally resist and have resisted until now.

This Literary Companion is coherent with its guidelines. As mentioned, it tries to cover most of the country, thus resisting to the predominance of writers from the capital Mexico D. F. It includes different generations of writers, combining some big names as Carlos Fuentes and Laura Esquivel with less known ones. There are also many absences as it is normal with such selections. But, overall, this book fulfills its premise, serving as an apt appetizer for Mexican literature.

[Aeron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in a small town in Mexico. The book I had brought was unbearable. My stomach was rebelling from some exposure to the unfiltered water - perhaps it was how the fruits and veggies were washed. I was at risk of not enjoying my vacation. Something had to change.

Once I decided to abandon my other book, I sought out the little bookstore in Todos Santos, and managed to pull this gem from the racks. Immediately, I was thrown into my vacation again, and in a good way. These are short stories collected from some amazing Mexican writers, and they manage to tell you more about the Mexican culture than any traditional guidebook. Suddenly, the little pueblo's colors were more vivid. The lines in people's faces, long used to a hot sun, told stories. My vacation was saved. I am a fan of this Traveler's Literary Companion.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Malintzin of the maquilas" - Carlos Fuentes
"Identity Hour" - Carlos Monsivais
"One Way Street" - Juan Villoro
"The Emperor in Miravalle" - Fernando del Paso

Read parts of this one, again got it for the Juan Villoro story, which was very good. Dipped into the work of a few Mexican heavyweights here (Fuentes, Del Paso, Monsivais); was encouraged.

Best Story:
Huaquechula - Pedro Angel Palou...I think the only thing that has been translated into English by him. Very popular in Mexico, virtually unknown in the states.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember whether it was Nancy or Christine who gave this to me for Christmas. Thank you, whichever it was. I like this book a lot. I've read it in bits and pieces over several trips and almost every time found a story I liked.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The translations are uneven, but the best ones are excellent. Same is true for the selections.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read of short stories, enjoyable.

[Solveig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this collection of short stories by writers from different regions of Mexico and edited by Catherine Mayo.