The first chapter is good.

Adolescence is the time when we stop being distracted by games and haven't yet been distracted by work, and that's why we find ourselves lost. Another of Paz's books, "La Llama Doble", changed my life, so I wanted to read his most famous work.

Nearly halfway through the book, I almost put it down because chapters 2 to 5 seemed to me a judgment that Paz makes from his intellectual palace on how we are and are not Mexicans, some accurate and others not so much, but the big problem for me is the tone, the judgment.

Thank goodness I reached chapter 6. From there on, his historical analysis is very good; he quotes Ortega y Gasset a lot and actually conveys a lot. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to start the book from chapter 6, but I already know that no one will do that, so it's worth being brave for the first five because the second half gets good.

Che librone!

Certainly, with this book, one immerses oneself in an unforgettable cultural Mexico.

Every page can be taken as a reference and another book can be drawn from it.

The most interesting part has been the concept of death.

In a European book, we do not find such a raw concept, without filters regarding a somewhat taboo subject.

Certainly, writers address it, but in a romanticized way, trying to give it a meaning and an explanation. Sometimes also referring to religion.

Here, in the essay of Octavio Paz, I have found it without half measures.

“A worthy death equated to the life lived.”

“Tell me how you die and I will tell you who you are.”

The tension of the book.

This is a beautifully crafted endeavor to unearth and explore some of the profound differences between Mexican and Anglo-American cultures.

In certain aspects, it remains a valuable instrument for interpreting Mexican public culture. What Paz refers to as 'the Mexican's inclination to contemplate horror' is still very much evident. Paz's portrayal of the Mexican language in 'The Sons of La Malinche' and his reflection on retributive justice in 'The Day of the Dead' are classics in anthropology, poetry, and perhaps even social science fiction.

More significantly, the era in which Paz is speaking - the post-revolutionary, pre-electronic decades - has passed. Mexico now has a substantial middle class that is connected to the world and whose perspective has undergone a profound transformation. The bourgeoisie that Paz so vehemently detested has triumphed.

In reality, this kind of cultural summary, appealing as it may be, has always struggled with the chaotic facts of the diversity of individual lives.

Therefore: read this and cherish it for the insights it may offer into this magnificent thing called Mexican Civilization, but do not be disheartened when the Mexico you encounter seldom conforms.

Mexicans are engaged in the act of reading another Mexican in an attempt to truly understand what it means to be a Mexican. This pursuit is not only an exploration of identity but also a way to gain a deeper appreciation for the shared cultural heritage and experiences that define them.

By delving into the works of their fellow countrymen and women, Mexicans can uncover the various aspects of their national character, from the rich traditions and values that have been passed down through generations to the unique perspectives and voices that have emerged in different eras.

This process of self-discovery through literature allows Mexicans to connect with their roots, while also inspiring them to shape the future of their nation. It is a powerful means of forging a sense of unity and pride among the people, and of celebrating the diversity and complexity of the Mexican identity.