I embarked on this book during my very first trip to Mexico. As I sat in Cozumel, my eyes fixed on the beautiful Caribbean Sea, I delved into the first part of the story. I am an ardent fan of Michener, with a passion for collecting first editions and rare copies of his works. Among them, Centennial holds a special place in my heart as my absolute favorite. I had high hopes that this book would bear a closer resemblance to the style of fictionalized history that I adored in Centennial, and to some extent, it did.

Just like many of Michener's other books, this one takes us on a journey through time. The main framework of the story revolves around the Mexican-American reporter, Norman Clay. His magazine dispatches him to Toledo to cover a festival that centers on bullfights between two matadors. These matadors symbolize the two distinct sides of Mexican ancestry. One is the flamboyant favorite, descended from Spaniards, while the other is the short and efficient matador who has fought hard for his success and is of native tribal descent. Norman himself hails from Toledo, and his father is a highly respected writer of Mexican history. So, in between the modern (1960s) bullfight episodes, we are treated to a fascinating exploration of the history of Mexico and the story of Norman Clay's ancestors. His native Mexican side can be traced back to the Altomec Queen, Lady Grey Eyes, while his Spanish side descends from the Spanish brothers who conquered the area with Cortez, a priest, and a soldier named Palafox. We even catch a brief glimpse of a line of lost Confederates who couldn't bring themselves to remain in Virginia after the Confederacy's defeat.

I must admit that I would have preferred fewer bullfight episodes. Bullfighting is a cruel and brutal sport, and it seemed to占据 too much of the story. Instead, I would have loved to learn more about the lives of the Mexican Indians who toiled as slaves in the silver mines and about the revolutionary struggles of Mexico. There was a character in Centennial named Nacho Gomez, and it would have been truly interesting to see Michener draw connections between the struggles of his family in the revolution and this book. However, despite these minor gripes, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey that Michener took me on. He almost never uses the real names of places or people, but the connections are quite obvious. Toledo is likely the city of Puebla, the Altomec people are the Aztec, General Gurza is Pancho Villa, and so on. This may be my least favorite Michener so far, but his work still far surpasses that of the average historical fiction writer. I would rate it 3.5 stars.

This was an outstanding book. I vividly recall reading it several years ago during my tenure on the JET Program from 1995 to 1998.

Michener was truly a remarkable writer. His books are renowned for their considerable length and the intellectual challenge they present.

However, the experience of persevering and ultimately finishing one of his works is an incredibly rewarding one. It feels like achieving a significant milestone.

Moreover, one always emerges from the reading process having learned a plethora of fascinating and thought-provoking things.

His works have the power to transport readers to different times, places, and cultures, expanding their horizons and enriching their understanding of the world.

It is no wonder that Michener's books have endured and continue to be cherished by readers around the globe.

It’s a story that presents a truly captivating account of Mexico.

This country has a rich and complex history that intersects with both Spanish and American history.

The details and events described in the story offer a unique perspective on the development and evolution of Mexico.

However, I must admit that I would have preferred if there was less emphasis on bull-fighting.

While it is an important part of Mexican culture, it may not be of great interest to all readers.

Perhaps more attention could have been given to other aspects of Mexican life, such as its art, music, or cuisine.

Nonetheless, the story as a whole provides an engaging and informative look at Mexico and its place in history.

It leaves the reader with a better understanding and appreciation of this diverse and vibrant country.

Overall, it is a worthwhile read that offers valuable insights into the history and culture of Mexico.

This review would have been 5 stars, but unfortunately, there was way too much emphasis on bullfighting.

Bullfighting is a controversial topic, and while it may be an important part of some cultures, it is not something that everyone is interested in or agrees with.

The article seemed to focus almost exclusively on bullfighting, which made it feel one-sided and unbalanced.

There are many other aspects of the subject that could have been explored, such as the history, traditions, and social significance of the activity.

By only highlighting bullfighting, the author missed an opportunity to provide a more comprehensive and engaging overview of the topic.

In the future, it would be beneficial for the author to consider a more diverse range of perspectives and topics to ensure that the article is more inclusive and interesting for a wider audience.

More like 3.5 stars. This book had many truly great aspects that kept me thoroughly entertained throughout. The descriptions and the overall narrative were engaging. However, I do have a slight wish. I would have preferred if more time was dedicated to the distant past. The focus on "modern" bullfighters felt a bit excessive at times. For me, there simply weren't enough stories set before Columbus. Those ancient tales hold a certain allure and mystery that I think could have added more depth and richness to the book. If there had been more of them, I would have been completely satisfied. As it stands, it's still a good read, but with a bit more emphasis on the distant past, it could have been even better.

The history of Mexico is a captivating tale that can be traced back to the Spanish conquest, and it is beautifully told through the lens of a family with a long and rich heritage.

Alongside this family history, we are also introduced to the world of bullfighting through a modern story of two bullfighters. One is a poor Indian, while the other is a member of the Spanish aristocracy.

The account of the family history unfolds at a rapid pace, as there is an abundance of fascinating details to share. However, when it comes to describing the art of bullfighting in the modern story, it does tend to drag a little.

Nonetheless, this is yet another solid offering from Michener, filled with vivid descriptions, complex characters, and a deep exploration of Mexican culture and history.

This book could be subtitled, More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Bullfighting, or More Than You Ever Dreamed There Was to Know About Bullfighting. Bullfighting has lost its popularity in recent years. However, I believe the author when he claims that in 1961, when this book is set, bullfighting was regarded as an art form and a source of national pride in Mexico, just like in Spain.

I have a wide range of interests and enjoy reading about various things. I thought I was ready to read about bullfighting. But after a while, it确实 became too much. During the actual fights, with the dangerous passes, the unpredictable bull swinging its head, the waving of the muleta, the placement of the banderillas over the horns, the blood, the courage, and the taking of ears as prizes, I did zone out a bit.

The story follows an American journalist, Norman Clay, who is sent to Mexico to cover a three-day bullfight festival. Conveniently, Clay is of Mexican descent, having been born and raised there, with an American father and a Mexican mother. So, he speaks the language and knows the place and its people well. This particular festival is going to be a showdown between two famous matadors: Victoriano Leal, of Spanish descent, and Juan Gomez, of Indian descent. As the narrator describes Leal as tall, elegant, and graceful, and Gomez as brown-skinned, stocky, and scrappy, I initially thought it was racist. But then I realized that was the point. Michener wants to show that in the Mexico of that time, there was a prejudice that Mexicans with more European ancestry were of a higher class and deserved positions of power. Our narrator tries to present a more balanced view, praising the Indians for their achievements and criticizing the Spanish for their excesses.

All of these influences come together in the person of Clay himself. He is part North American (his father was from Virginia) and has both Spanish and Indian ancestors on his Mexican side. He delves into the ancient past, telling historical stories as if they are personal. Often, he says something like, “This document is still in my family’s archives.” These “family stories” are by far my favorite part of the book. He tells about how an ancient tribe of peaceful Indians (the Drunken Builders) were overcome by the warlike Cactus People, who began a tradition of human sacrifice atop the town’s pyramid. He also tells about how two brothers, a priest and a soldier, came from Spain to conquer, search for silver, and build the town’s cathedral. These are the human stories of love, striving, and betrayal that bring the past to life.

Back in the present day (that is, 1961), the bullfights continue. We learn (in detail) the backstories of the matadors. And a group of American tourists from Oklahoma come to watch the bullfights. Clay is given the task of transporting them around, which provides an opportunity for a lot of explanations. This part was a little dull and拖沓.

When I started reading this book, I went to Wikipedia to look at photographs of some of the buildings and scenery described. I discovered that Toledo, Mexico, the setting of the book, is fictional. There is no actual Toledo, Mexico. And the Indian cultures described are composites of several other tribes. I was disappointed. But I know that Michener always does extensive research. If the events described in this book didn’t happen exactly as written, then very similar things did occur.

There is a lot that is interesting here. I was able to immerse myself in the historical stories. It wasn’t Michener’s best work. Despite Norman Clay being a man of all seasons, or at least a man of all cultures, the different parts of the book are awkwardly pieced together. Some people claim that Michener didn’t actually finish the book before he died. But that’s okay if this one wasn’t Hawaii. I will still continue to work my way through the Michener oeuvre.

I have been engaged in reading this particular book ever since 2009.

During these years, I have made a conscious effort to read at least a page every week.

My intention is to complete it... well, someday!

The reality is that this book is extremely long, overly wordy, and充斥着大量的重复内容.

Up until now, the only reason I have been persevering is because I have derived enjoyment from the work of Mr Michener.

However, as I continue to plow through this text, I find myself growing increasingly weary of its length and repetitiveness.

Nonetheless, I am determined to see it through to the end, if only to satisfy my own sense of accomplishment.

Who knows what awaits me in the remaining pages? Maybe there will be some hidden gems that will make all this effort worthwhile.

Only time will tell.

Well, it seems that I cannot anticipate to relish every single work of an author, and this particular one was truly a misfire for me.

Originally released in 1992, "Mexico" presents its history from the perspective of Mexican-American Norman Clay, written in the first person. Although it's a different approach compared to his other novels, I wasn't overly perturbed by this as I was eager to explore Mexico's history.

However, Michener效仿 Herman Melville (as seen in "Moby Dick") on us, and a rather significant portion of the text is dedicated to bullfighting. One chapter on it, I could manage. But Norman Clay is almost obsessive as it's constantly on his mind. I had the urge to shout, "Hurry up, Norman!"

The transitions to the historical parts were a bit peculiar. I swear I thought Norman was going to transform it into a rap or some sort of musical because it always began with him saying, "it happened like this..." Where was the rich and detailed history I was hoping for? I read this after "Caribbean," and I felt that Michener spent an excessive amount of time focusing on the European Spanish and their treatment in history. I longed to hear about the Mexican people themselves!!!

There was a real absence of the Michener magic that I had come to expect.

Wow - the second book that failed to make an impression on me.

I had just finished reading Michener's Texas and truly enjoyed it. However, this one? Not nearly as much.

Although I'm aware that Michener unearthed serious historical facts for his books, this particular one seemed both lacking and lackadaisical in those endeavors.

The book is really more about bullfighting. If you have a passion for bullfighting, then you'll likely love this book. Michener appears to know a great deal about bullfighting and devotes a significant amount of time to that subject, in great detail, and more detail.

The story only spans a 3-day period, but the main character does provide descriptions and tales of his past, as well as that of his ancestors.

I have a love for history, and as in Texas, I had anticipated that Mexico would have a great deal more history (and accurate history) than it actually did. Instead, it had an abundance of bullfighting. That's not my cup of tea. It took me an eternity to force myself to finish it. For the first time in decades, I actually contemplated not finishing a book. But I did manage to finish it!

I concluded the book with the feeling that it was a waste of time. That's just my personal preference, of course, but there you have it. Take it for what it's worth.

I have read several of James Michener's books in the past.

"Mexico" seemed different to me in that it moved quite slowly and there seemed to be much repetition that wasn't needed.

I didn't know much about bullfighting, as I detest the fact that the bull has to be killed. However, Michener shows us every step in the life of a bullfighter and also the bulls.

The story is "told" by an American journalist who was originally from Mexico but settled in the USA.

He recounts his childhood and how things have changed, both for the good and bad, in the part of Mexico where he was from.

His relatives, the Palofax family, are prominent in the town and much of what is going on in the story affects members of his family in one way or the other.

I enjoyed learning about parts of Mexico and how they had to change with each political upheaval to stay alive.

I really didn't know much about the country and its people before reading this book.

It was interesting to see how the different cultures and traditions interacted and how the people coped with the challenges they faced.

Overall, while "Mexico" may not have been my favorite Michener book, it was still an informative and engaging read.

This was my “intimidates me” book for the year.

It has been sitting on my shelves for years, literally being carried around the world and throughout the US.

It was one of my late grandpa's favorites, so I felt I owed him the honor of reading it. And I did.

It's long. At the beginning, it was pretty good. Since this is not my genre, my expectations weren't high, but it was better than expected.

However, then it just got too long.

There is a lot of bullfighting in it. It is clearly stated on the back, so that was no surprise. But I'm someone who despises this “sport” (not here to argue about traditions, culture, etc.).

It irritates me that this happens. This book made it even worse with the cutting of the horns and other cheating that took place... and I'm sure does take place. It's shameful!

Now I know quite a bit about bullfighting, not a huge amount, but more than I will ever admit to anyone other than you, my Goodreads review.

So it's over, and I read it. I can understand why an old man spending his retirement days as a snowbird in the sun enjoyed these books.

There is a lot of depth here, the characters are interesting, and the storyline was amazing. This is truly an admirable work of fiction.

But these books are not for me. So “Alaska” will stay on the shelf, inscribed with Christmas love from my grandma to the love of her life the year it was released... and I likely will never read it again.