Mexican Fiction

Aztec, by Gary Jennings. This historical fiction describes the rise and fall of the Aztec empire from the point of view of an aging indigenous scribe.

Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel. Set during the Revolution, this love story describes familial duty, devotion, and traditional recipes from rural, early-20th-century Mexico.

The Power and the Glory, by Graham Greene. During the tumultuous period of persecution of Catholic priests in Mexico, after the Mexican Revolution, the “whiskey priest” was on the lam from the law.

The Tortilla Curtain, by T.C. Boyle. Here’s a churrigueresque modern drama set in and around Los Angeles. Everything bad that one can imagine happens to a hapless illegal immigrant looking for luck in Los Angeles.

Treasure of the Sierra Madre, by B. Traven. “Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!”

Mexican Non-fiction

Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of a People, by Alan Riding. Filled with facts and figures, this is a scholarly but very readable description of Mexican society and the U.S.--Mexico relationship. The author was Mexico City bureau chief for the New York Times for six years before publishing the book in 1984 (reissued in 1989).

The Hummingbird and the Hawk: Conquest and Sovereignty in the Valley of Mexico: 1503--1541, by R.C. Padden. A must-read for anyone interested in Aztec (AKA Mexica) civilization, this book sheds new light on the civilization that conquered most of Mesoamerica. Tells about the Aztec’s humble origins, rise to power, rituals, ruthless political agenda, and eventual fall from power.

Into a Desert Place, by Graham MacKintosh. One man’s travelogue about his 3,000-mile walk along the Baja California coast, it’s ultimately about the people MacKintosh met on his ambitious journey.

The Labyrinth of Solitude, by Octavio Paz. The magnum opus by one of Mexico’s most distinguished statesmen/writers on the Mexican culture, persona, and psyche.

The Mexicans: A Personal Portrait of the Mexicans, by Patrick Oster. This brilliant journalist dedicates chapters to an honest cop, a philanthropic medical doctor, a stressed-out maid, and other real people in an exquisitely revealing glimpse into the Mexican persona.

Mexico, by Michael D. Coe. This textbook---along with Maya by the same author---gives accurate and readable information about ancient Mesoamerican culture. Written by professor emeritus from Yale University Dr. Michael D. Coe, it includes photographs, drawing, and archaeological site maps. Not a casual read, but great for history buffs.

Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion, edited by C.M. Mayo. A portrait of Mexico through contemporary Mexican literary fiction written by Carlos Fuentes, Carlos Monsivais, Laura Esquivel, and others.

True Tales from Another Mexico: They Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings, Chalino, and the Bronx, by Sam Quinones. This intriguing non-fiction covers all sorts of not-so-traditional topics from popular Mexican culture: from gang members deported from L.A. back to their home towns in Mexico to that icon of Mexican corridos, Chalino, gunned down in the prime of his musical youth.

Viva Mexico!, by Antonio Haas. Mazatlan’s native son and historian has written a coffee table book with chapters like “Understanding Mexico,” “The Route of Cortés,” and “Tierra Caliente.” Lots of illustrations and photographs make it a great gift as well as a good read.

The People’s Guide to Mexico, by Carl Franz. Treatises on driving and busing in Mexico along with many other practical and humorous tips about traveling for maximum enjoyment and edification. It’s been updated many times since its first printing in 1972. You’ll find everything from lists of famous market towns throughout the country to penalties for carrying a handgun and instructions on what to do if you’re thrown in the slammer.

Travelers’ Tales: Mexico, edited by James O’Reilly and Larry Habegger. A great compendium of essays about the Mexican experience by Alma Guillermoprieto, Carlos Fuentes, Alan Riding, and lesser-known writers.

Mexican Short Stories

Sky Over El Nido: Stories, by C.M. Mayo. Winner of the Flannery O'Connor Award, this is a book of short stories set in different parts of Mexico.

Travel Advisory: Stories, by David Lida. Wonderful characters and good writing.

Mexican Travel Guides

MexicoGuru.com writer Jane Onstott has written several travel guides for major publishing companies, including National Geographic Traveler Mexico and Fodor’s Puerto Vallarta, both published in 2006.

Yucatan:  A Guide to the Land of Maya Mysteries, by Antoinette May

Mexican Reading List Web Resources

For more suggestions, also check out these sites:
www.Bajabooksandmaps.com
www.sunbeltpub.com

Suggestions from writers ... and readers

Recommended by author and editor C.M. Mayo:
Life in Mexico, by Frances Calderón de la Barca
The Prison Angel, by Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan
The Bandits from Río Frío, by Manuel Payno

Recommended by Dana Burton, owner of La Pared bookstore in San Cristóbal de las Casas
Traveller's History of Mexico, by Kenneth Pearce
Mexico: Biography of Power, by Enrique Krause
Lawless Roads, by Graham Greene
Book of Lamentations, by Rosario Castellanos
anything by B. Traven 

David Simmonds, editor of the online magazine Mexico Premiere
(www.mexicopremiere.com), admires two books by T.M. Spooner: The Salvation of La Purisima and Notes from Exile. Barbara & Bill Kirkwood, of Casa Obelisco, San Pancho, Nayarit like God & Mr. Gomez, by Jack Smith and Gringos in Paradise, by Barry Golson.

Victoria Pratt, of Bucerías, recommends Puerto Vallarta on 49 Brain Cells a Day, by Gil Gevins.

Journalist and writer David Lida likes Viva Mexico: A Traveller’s Account of Life in Mexico, by Charles Flambrau.

El Corazón de Piedra Verde, by Salvador de Madariaga is recommended by Beatriz González.