Mexican Themed Novels: Part 1

For many people, the history and culture of Mexico presents an ideal spot to set a story

. This doesn't just apply to local Mexican writers, though they're certainly in abundance and produce excellent work. There are several well-known English-language books that have used the country as a backdrop for stories of struggle, freedom, and human endurance.

Known for his ambivalent writing about political issues, Graham Greene is perhaps one of the most notable English writers of the 1900's. President Plutarco Calles was known for his harsh treatment of Catholics, and his time in office was fodder for the book 'The Power and Glory', however, other novels such as 'The Quiet American', and 'The Heart of the Matter' also made the author famous..

A Catholic priest (in the state of Tabasco), became the protagonist of 'The Power and the Glory'; dueling personal demons, he is self-destructive in the story. The novel follows his travels through Mexico as he tries to minister to flocks that are rapidly diminishing in size due to persecution by the government. He's joined by a lieutenant who has been tasked with hunting down the holy man, and both of their belief systems are brutally put to the test.

The book was written after Greene had traveled through Mexico in 1938, exiled from his native England due to the threat of a libel suit. His travels brought about a re-evaluation of the author's beliefs. It also produced the non-fiction travelogue 'The Lawless Roads', about his experiences seeing the Calles government in action.

The 1947 novel 'Under the Volcano' was written by English author Malcolm Lowry. It is an account of Geoffrey Firmin, the British consul in a small Mexican town during the late 1930s. It was determined to be autobiographical in part; Lowry had spent time in Cuernavaca in 1936, moving there with his wife, Jan Gabrial. He struggled with alcoholism, and the trip was an attempt to save their tumultuous marriage, but it was unsuccessful.

Lowry began the manuscript for 'Under the Volcano' before he got to Mexico, when he and Jan were in New York city. During this period he had an alcohol-induced mental breakdown, and recovered at the famous Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital. His wife ran off with another man after he spent most of his time in Cuernavaca, drinking and writing.. Malcolm did not finish the novel until 1940, when he was in Canada; the final draft was nearly lost in a fire, but rescued and published in 1947. Of the listing of 100 Best English-language novels of the 20th century, it ranks as number 11.

by: Robert Nickel

POST COMMENT

8 Attributes Of Successful Fds How Many Do You Have? Are You Nicely Knowledgeable Of Your Offshore Tax Options Not A Typical Spa Day The Most Revised Plastic Surgeries Offshore Amnesty What Are Your Four Options Chunky Jewellery Will Add A Distinctive Side To Your Persona Shielding Your Windscreen From Potential Damage What You Want To Know About Offshore Accounts Disclosure High Temperature Fans Popular Uses For Botox 3 Signs You Should Terminate A Meeting Bien Choisir Son Lissage Bresilien Drug Interactions: What You Need To Know