Second time around, I am reading my personal favorite book on India. It is truly a remarkable piece of literature. Octavio Paz's poetry background shines through in every page. His ability to combine vivid historical references with a unique Latin American perspective on the subcontinent makes this book nothing short of perfect.

The book has a certain allure that intrigues and provokes the reader. It takes you on a journey through the rich and diverse history and culture of India, presenting it in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking. As you turn the final page, you are left at the beginning of an emotional ride, longing for more.

It makes you want to explore further, to learn more about this fascinating country and its people. Octavio Paz has managed to create a literary masterpiece that not only informs but also inspires. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

This is an interesting book.

Although I didn't finish it as I had to return it to the library.

The author gives his perspective as an ambassador from a former colony, Mexico, to a much more recently liberated colony. I learned a great deal about India, including both its history and what it was like in the 1950s and 1960s. (I do hope his information was accurate! I'm always a bit skeptical about people commenting on cultures that aren't their own, although in this book, that's precisely the point.)

He had a truly fascinating view on culture in general. And he had some things to say about people and their low tastes/anti-intellectualism that you would think had been written in the U.S. during the height of Dubya's popularity. It's worth reading just for that content, which is in the first 100 pages, if my memory serves me right. What an eloquent rant!

But mostly, he's simply using his poetic skills to describe beautiful places (while not ignoring the poverty and so on) and what he encountered there.

Often when we read books about India or introductory guides, the author is usually European, American or South Asian.

However, there is a unique book called "In Light of India" which was originally written in Spanish. It is one of the few Latin American introductions to India.

This book was written by Octavio Paz, who was Mexico's second ambassador to India. Through a series of essays commenting on religion, caste, history, poetry and philosophy, the book offers a unique account of the largest "country" in the subcontinent.

Paz's insights on all things Indian provide an outlook that is missing from many foreign and local analyses. His perspective gives readers a fresh and different understanding of India.

If I had a friend who wanted to be introduced to India and the Indian state of mind, this would be the first book I would recommend. It can help them gain a deeper and more comprehensive knowledge of India, and understand the unique culture and spirit of this ancient country.

India para neófitos.

What is India if not a melting pot of civilizations? In this essay, the author presents a panorama of what India is. It is especially useful for a Western reader, especially for a Latin American, considering the comparisons he makes in some passages of aspects of India and Mexico. During his stay in India as the ambassador of Mexico, he had the opportunity to deeply know this country that is as diverse as it is enigmatic.

The reading left me with a pleasant taste in my mouth and although it is very dense at times, it illustrates a lot to those who are unfamiliar with the subject, like me.

In the first part, it addresses 3 crucial aspects to understand the complexity of India: Religions, Castes, and Languages. It elaborates a convincing historical explanation of how the unbreakable division between Islam and Hinduism has developed, which split India and Pakistan and which continues to be a latent threat in modern India. It explains in an orderly way the complex concept of castes, which are of religious and community origin with a solidarity approach, where the permanence of its members within it is perpetuated. It gives the guidelines to understand the way in which English became the common language that allows a country with so many languages to be able to communicate.

In the second part, the concept of the Indian Nation is elaborated. The topic of Indian gastronomy is addressed. The author develops his thesis of how the English, through the protection of their commercial railway interests, replaced the Mughal emperors. Protestant Christianity allowed a critical vision to which a new generation of Indians was confronted, who, educated in the English way, became the managers of India's independence. A key figure is Gandhi, who is portrayed as a religious and political man who managed to unite the masses in his non-violence crusade to achieve India's independence. He also sought an approach with other religious communities. After independence, Nehru's government achieved the cohesion of India through secularism, which combated the nationalist sentiment that could destroy the new Indian nation, with internal wars and divisions.

The third and last part of the book addresses the topic of religiosity in its different forms. It makes a tour of Hindu and Buddhist mythology, mentions the main books and poems. Several important topics that are mentioned are: eroticism in Hindu culture, the concept of karma, and how chastity achieves the liberation of the individual. The last chapter deals with time and the way in which it is defined, perceived, and lived by the Hindu/Buddhist civilizations vs. the Western and Muslim ones. The reading becomes very dense and progresses with a lot of difficulty.

Excellent book.

This was good but it wasn't what I was expecting.

I had anticipated something along the lines of an autobiographical account of his time in India. However, instead, it turned out to be more of an historical and cultural overview of the country. In fact, not much of the book is dedicated to Paz's personal views or experiences.

Despite Paz's tendency to get sidetracked on occasion, this work still has its merits. It provides a comprehensive look at the history and culture of India, which can be quite informative. While it may not have fulfilled my initial expectations, it does offer a valuable perspective on the country.

Overall, it is a good read, although perhaps not exactly what I was hoping for.

This book has truly been an eye-opener for me, teaching me a great deal about Indian art and history.

Even though it is a memoir, I was extremely impressed by the author's profound knowledge and education in various aspects of Indian history, philosophy, and music.

There were numerous things about the history, such as the co-mingling of religion and poetry, that I was completely unaware of before reading this book.

The majority of the historical content focuses on North India and Pakistan, providing a detailed and in-depth exploration of this region.

Moreover, the author makes a significant number of comparisons between Indian and Mexican culture, which I found to be not only interesting but also thought-provoking.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Indian history and appreciates excellent writing. It offers a unique perspective and a wealth of information that is sure to captivate and educate the reader.

A book that compares Mexico with India. It delves into their religions, traditions, cuisine, culture, cosmologies, people, nature, mysticism, history, and resources.

Octavio Paz served as the ambassador of Mexico in India for several years. He was interested in learning everything he could about this ancient country and made a connection and comparison with his homeland.

This book helps to understand and enjoy the complex culture and ideology of a country like India, which captivates all those who visit and get to know it. It offers a unique perspective by juxtaposing the two nations, highlighting their similarities and differences. Through this comparison, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for both cultures and expand their knowledge of the world. The detailed exploration of various aspects such as religion, traditions, and cuisine provides a rich and comprehensive understanding of these two fascinating countries.

This is the second book of Octavio Paz that I have read. And truly, what can I say? He constantly delivers excellent works and rightfully deserved his Nobel Prize.

This particular book focuses on India, a place where Paz served as the ambassador from Mexico in the 1960s. It is brimming with wonderful insights regarding India's culture, history, society, and just about everything else. Paz is an extremely cerebral writer and generally doesn't waste time with personal anecdotes. I appreciate this aspect, but it might not be to every reader's taste.

Highly recommended. The essay on Hindu nationalism in this book is even more relevant today than it was when it was first published. It offers a thought-provoking perspective on a topic that is of great significance in the current global context.

A Vague but Colourful Take on India's Cultural Traditions

The book, as advertised, offers a solo perspective on India's past from an independent pair of eyes. It stands out from the typical European or white perspectives. What makes it unique is that the author, having been more intimately exposed to non-Abrahamic cultures, is able to connect more deeply with the Indian psyche. This allows for a better understanding of India and Hinduism. The book presents a vivid and somewhat vague portrayal of India's rich cultural traditions. It delves into the various aspects of Indian history, art, and religion, painting a picture that is both captivating and thought-provoking. While it may not provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis, it offers a fresh and alternative view that is sure to pique the interest of readers who are curious about India's past and its cultural heritage.

This is a very good book in which Octavio Paz presents and immerses us in the culture of India in an eloquent, poetic and even magical way.

He not only vividly describes the unique traditions, religions, and social customs of India, but also allows readers to feel the profound connotations and spiritual essence hidden behind them.

What's more, the comparisons and contrasts he makes between India and Mexico are also very interesting. By highlighting the similarities and differences between the two cultures, he helps us to better understand and appreciate the diversity and complexity of world cultures.

Overall, this book is a wonderful exploration of the rich and colorful culture of India, as well as a thought-provoking reflection on the relationship between different cultures.