WOW!

I initially had the impression that this would be a weighty volume, consisting of hundreds of pages dedicated to Aztec and other indigenous carvings.

However, I was completely wrong!

The entire narrative revolves around the fictional city of Teledo and a contemporary (1961) festival centered on the sport of bullfighting.

The story spans from the 1400s to the present day and features extremely interesting characters in every era.

Bullfighting is revealed as a highly ritualistic, yet simultaneously very athletic and scientific sport.

It showcases the teamwork of the people supporting the matador, as well as those involved in producing the bull.

Overall, it is a really good book that offers a unique and engaging perspective on bullfighting and the fictional city of Teledo.

Michener's writing is incredibly dense, and I am truly in awe of the vast amount of research that went into penning this epic. Norman Clay, a writer and a mestizo with a heritage that combines Indian, Spanish, and white Protestant southern blood, embarks on a journey. From an exploration of his DNA emerges the story of Mexico, framed as a photojournalist's assignment of bullfighting in the fictional city of Toledo.

Norman feels adrift as he delves into his complex feelings about his ancestry. There is a deep love for all things Mexican, yet it is intertwined with a sense of sadness due to the intricacies of being a conquered race and the contrast with the civilization. His Indian grandmother's account of how the Catholic Church enslaved Indian women in the mines is heart-wrenchingly sad. In these stories, there are no clear heroes, and even the most heinous villains are sometimes seen as saviors by some. Michener adds many ironic twists and some not-so-subtle jabs at the norteamericanos who are part of the problem and are perceived as exploiting their southern neighbor.

I found the writing to be both classic and profoundly revealing of our country's views from the 1960s. It's like watching an early James Bond movie. You witness it unfold, full of action and adventure, but it exists within that strange time bubble.

Despite my deep affection for Michener, I must admit that I was truly disappointed in this book.

The title seems inappropriate, and the book is overly long. Moreover, he fictionalized certain areas where I firmly believe that the truth would have enhanced the novel's strength.

As I pointed out in my review of his "My Lost Mexico," I have no idea how or why I overlooked this book in the past. In "My Lost Mexico," Michener details how he initiated the novel, abandoned it for 30 years, and then returned to pen what eventually became another of his bestsellers. I don't think the final outcome was the book he initially envisioned, and it likely achieved bestseller status based on his popularity rather than the novel's own merits.

Don't misunderstand; the book does possess some merit. The characters, especially Norman Clay, Leon Ledesma, Mrs. Evans, Victoriano, and Gomez, to name just a few, are engaging. And the plot is both interesting and entertaining.

However, the novel is not a "history" of Mexico as the title and his previous works might imply.

If it were my novel, I would have eliminated all the history regarding Clay's family, retaining only enough back-story to explain his split nationality. I fail to understand why Michener felt compelled to invent the Altomecs when the Aztecs would have provided a more authentic story. Similarly, the creation of Gurza when there were numerous real characters of his type to draw inspiration from.

I would have centered the novel on the festival and the bullfights, which are the true focal points of the story. Michener does an outstanding job of explaining the intricacies of the corrida. Here, the real themes of courage, persistence, and optimism are emphasized, breathing life into the novel and giving it its soul.

Bad dialogue, very stilted descriptions, tiresome tales of bullfights, very human but mostly unlikable characters, and about 300 pages too many.

I have read several of Michener's books previously and have liked most of them. However, I think this one was a hack-job at the end of a long career. He apparently started the book in 1961, the year in which the "present day" is set, but then set it aside and didn't return to it until the 1990s. It really should have stayed aside as Michener's first thoughts were the better ones.

Instead of reading this, you should pick up Hawaii, or Tales of the South Pacific, or The Bridges at Toko-Ri, or (my personal favourite) The Source. These books offer much more engaging stories, well-developed characters, and captivating writing. They are a true testament to Michener's talent as a writer, unlike this particular work which seems to lack the sparkle and depth that his other books possess.

It's a shame that this book didn't live up to the expectations set by his previous works. But there are still many great books by Michener that are worth exploring and enjoying.

There's a significant depth to this book. It doesn't merely present a story set within Mexican history, as one might typically anticipate from Michener. Instead, he delves into the complex tension that exists between the indigenous and the Spanish heritage of Mexico. At times, this tension is overtly expressed, but for the most part, it is subtly conveyed through the characters and the storyline.

Moreover, Michener has truly dedicated himself to researching bullfighting. The inclusion of bullfighting as the central story of the novel proves to be a masterstroke. It adds an element of excitement and drama that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Through his detailed exploration of this traditional Mexican activity, he provides insights into the cultural and social aspects of the country.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and multi-dimensional, each representing different aspects of Mexican society. Their interactions and conflicts further enhance the exploration of the theme of heritage and identity. Overall, this book is a captivating and thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on Mexican history and culture.

I had the pleasure of reading "I enjoyed Mexico" by James Michener.

The bullfighting characters he created and his vivid descriptions of the bullfights and bullfighting history were truly remarkable. It was as if I could envision the intense battles between the matadors and the bulls right before my eyes.

Moreover, the history of Mexico that Michener incorporated into his book was equally fascinating. It provided a comprehensive look into the country's past, its cultures, and its people.

However, one aspect that presented a challenge for me was distinguishing which characters and events were fictional and which were historically accurate. At times, it became a bit confusing as the lines between fiction and reality seemed to blur.

Nonetheless, despite this minor drawback, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Mexican culture, history, or bullfighting.

The other Michener novels that I have read have ranged from "good to outstanding." In particular, 'Hawaii' was truly remarkable. They were all classically sweeping historical fiction novels that took readers on a journey through different times and places.

However, this particular book focuses mainly on bullfighting, with approximately one-fourth of it dedicated to Mexico's history. In those sections related to history, there were hints of his usual style, but unfortunately, it was not sufficient to salvage his rather microscopic examination of an entertainment form that seems to possess qualities somewhere between boxing and "professional" wrestling. It's important to note that we all know THE BULL ALWAYS DIES!! No matter how esoteric the contest may appear in the beginning and the middle, in the end, someone always kills the bull, which has been specifically bred and raised for the purpose of fighting.

If you have a genuine interest in Mexico's history, I would suggest looking elsewhere. This book does not do justice to that aspect as much as one might hope.

I truly enjoyed this remarkable book. It vividly portrays a journalist, Norman Clay, grappling with his dual Mexican and American heritage during an epic encounter between two matadors in the bullring of his hometown in Mexico. Michener's description of the world of bullfighting is simply outstanding. He masterfully intertwines his interpretation of Mexican history, starting from the Indian culture and progressing through the migration of American ex-patriots who arrived just after the U.S. Civil War.

The book commences splendidly and maintains the reader's interest as he depicts the styles of the two matadors. Juan Gomez, the robust Indian, attains status through his courage in the ring, while Victoriano Leal, the Spaniard, is renowned for his finesse in leading the bull and entertaining the crowds. It showcases how the two cultures have significantly contributed to the history of Mexico. Later, a group of Americans who have journeyed south from Tulsa to witness the two competitors over a three-day period in the bullring are introduced. The journalist expresses his inner turmoil of being torn between his Mexican (on his mother's side) and American (on his father's side) identities as he describes his family history. He points out that he lived in Mexico from birth until he was a teenager and then relocated to the U.S. with his father after the Mexican government nationalized the county's oil industry. Throughout the book, one can sense how this journalist can identify with the various cultures attending the bullfight, yet feels like an outsider to all.

This book truly captivated me from the very first page. It is exceptionally well-written and skillfully guides the reader through the "art of bull fighting". Indeed, I did say art. I have always held the belief that bull fighting is barbaric, and I still maintain that view. However, Michener reveals to us that while it is still barbaric, it is also a dance that very few can master. I have learned an abundance about bull fighting and the creation of a culture that I previously knew all too little about.

The most fascinating aspect of the book is the characters. The main characters are from the Palafox family, which just so happens to be my wife's maiden name. Hmm.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. My typical routine was to wake up at 0500hrs, take Scout out to attend to her needs, grab a cup of coffee, and then Scout and I would sit on the couch and read for an hour, observing the sun rise. It was a truly wonderful and peaceful experience.

This book not only provided me with entertainment but also broadened my knowledge and understanding. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in a unique and engaging read.

This is an outstanding novel.

The history within it is simplified to an extent that maintains its interest without getting mired in excessive details.

As I can perceive, certain liberties are taken to firmly place it within the realm of fiction, yet there is more than just a grain of truth.

The plausibility is stretched just far enough to sometimes bring a smile to the reader's face.

The characters are vivid and alive.

They undergo changes, as characters should in a great novel, without that change being constantly emphasized to showcase the author's skills.

And despite the rather large number of characters introduced throughout the story, it is easy to keep track of them.

They are each unique individuals and most are quite memorable.

The author skillfully manages the transitions between the novel's past and present.

The flashbacks are not overly intrusive, nor are they so short as to seem like unnecessary distractions or so long that the thread of the story is lost.

The pace is as good as it can be.

There is no moment when the novel slows down or any story arc that is too long.

Many seem too short, but this is only because they are so interesting in themselves that they could easily be developed into another story, which would, in fact, be an entirely different tale and belong in a separate book.

As it is, they serve their purpose well.

Even the introduction and the conclusion are satisfactory.

The novel is long enough to engage the reader in its world in a manner one might anticipate from mythology or space opera science fiction.

This is worthy of note because without that length, such immersion would likely not be achievable.

On the other hand, it would be challenging to write an engaging novel of such length without bringing the novel's world to life for the reader to this extent.

The two aspects go hand in hand.

It all demonstrates that this novel is perfectly balanced in every respect.

However, the novel is not entirely self-contained.

A reader without some knowledge of history will probably not be as engaged when reading this book and may find it tedious and difficult to follow.

Specifically, it is beneficial to have some familiarity with the history of Europe's religious struggles during the Inquisition and Reformation, the colonization of the Americas by Europe, and the American Civil War.

The story occasionally delves into these periods, and although some context is provided, it is not a history book.

Sensitive readers, particularly regarding the topic of bullfighting, may also find it difficult to enjoy this novel.

This is no more of a criticism than stating that a hamburger is bad because it makes a poor doorstop.

Every book is not a good fit for every reader.

Apart from these limitations, I believe most people will find this an excellent read.

Characters and Insights

At the age of 76, I find myself astonished that I had not come across this book earlier in my life. Although the narrative concludes before drugs and immigration to the US emerged as the deeply tragic issues they are today, Michener skillfully portrays a segment of history that vividly resurrects those bygone eras. The characters within the pages are diverse and multi-faceted. There are individuals whom you cannot help but like, others you may find yourself disliking, some you admire for their qualities, those for whom you feel compelled to pray, and still others for whom you wholeheartedly root. Then there are those whom you simply wish would disappear into the abyss. And, of course, there are those for whom your only desire is that they find happiness. Throughout the entire story, it becomes abundantly clear that it is the people who breathe life into the narrative, both the historical and the contemporary. Their actions, emotions, and interactions create a tapestry of human experience that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The sprawling history of Mexico is vividly told through the family history of Norman Clay. He is in the fictional Toledo, Mexico, assigned to cover a bull fight festival for a magazine. The details and behind-the-scenes information of the bull fighting are truly interesting. However, the exploration of centuries of history can be a bit slow-paced. Additionally, the current story being interlaced with long chapters of history makes the book somewhat difficult to follow at times. Despite these drawbacks, I'm still glad I read it, but it definitely isn't one of my favorites.