I read Michener many years ago, and his books had an extraordinary charm that kept me completely captivated. I simply could not put them down.

One of the novels that left a deep impression on me was a huge one. It differed significantly from the timelines of books like "Centennial" or "Hawaii". This particular novel was set in the mid-1900s but then skillfully moved back in time, tracing the history of his Spanish, Indian, and American families.

The story was told over the course of a week-long bullfight, which aimed to capture the very essence of that sport. It also delved deep into history to examine the rich Mexican culture. It was truly a different kind of read that demanded my full attention and took me a long time to finish.

I found myself reading small passages and then pausing to think about what I had just read. Given the substantial size of the book, it has taken me weeks to complete.

I think I would like to see a bullfight. On one hand, I believe I would be sickened by the futility of killing an animal solely for sport to test its courage. However, on the other hand, I think I would enjoy exploring the history and artistry behind it. I am conflicted, but still, these things develop from a unique perspective and are interesting from that point of view.

Overall, Michener's writing has the power to transport readers to different times and cultures, making us think and feel in ways we never thought possible.

Bullfighting is the theme that carries the storyline.

Although it is a brutal "sport", Michener elaborately explains the finer points of the ritual over the centuries. This part is well done and highly informative.

However, the chapter discussing the ancient indigenous people of Mexico seems a bit excessive. It could have been cut in half as there are too many pages emphasizing all the tribal wars and human sacrifices.

On the other hand, the history of Mexico, which includes colonization by European powers and the stealing of land by the United States, is extremely interesting. It provides a comprehensive view of the country's past and how it has evolved over time.

Overall, the book has its strengths and weaknesses, but it does offer a unique perspective on Mexican culture and history.

The country of Mexico holds a special place in my heart. Through my mother's side of the family, my ancestors have deep roots in Mexico, stretching back through countless generations. Although I was raised as an American, my life has been deeply influenced by Mexican culture. It is from this perspective that I find Michener's novel to be rather disappointing.

To begin with, Michener fabricated a significant portion of Mexican history. He created an idealized Mexican town, a fictional native tribe, and a fake bandito revolutionary. Additionally, he overlooked certain crucial facts, such as the massive loss of indigenous lives due to European diseases. After reading over 600 pages, Mexico still remains a poorly understood land.

Historical fiction without a solid foundation in history becomes nothing more than a fantasy. Michener presents Mexico as a mere tourist attraction, where Americans can observe a different culture without truly understanding it. His writing caters to the predominant American attitudes of the early 1960s (and perhaps even today), which included beliefs like "the union of Mexico and Spain produced far more that was beneficial than damaging."

As a result of Michener's fantastical approach, he fails to uncover any genuine truth about Mexico. He fails to capture the essence of the Mexican people, which is an unwavering energy that gives rise to determination in the face of adversity. The novel also lacks any sincere attempt to provide an understanding of the prehistoric practices and beliefs of the indigenous people, despite the fact that they firmly believed in the正确性 and propriety of their ways in relation to the world they inhabited.

It is possible that Michener was more motivated by the opportunity to write about bullfighting than about Mexico itself. A large portion of the book is dedicated to bullfighting, with detailed descriptions of the fights, the methods involved, and the lives of the matadors. This aspect of the book may be its strongest in terms of factual content. However, in today's society, witnessing the systematic torture of an innocent animal until it is almost dead, so that a matador can hack at it to achieve his "moment of glory," hardly seems like a compelling reason to read this book.

I have only read one other Michener novel, "The Covenant," and the difference between the two is remarkable. Everything that "The Covenant" accomplished for all South Africans and their country, "Mexico" fails to achieve. It is interesting to note that Michener himself was so dissatisfied with this novel that he set the manuscript aside and forgot about it for 30 years. From my point of view, it should have remained hidden and unpublished.

Although I have read numerous books written by Mitchener and have derived great pleasure from them, I found myself deeply disappointed in this particular one.

More than half of the book was dedicated to a bullfight that took place over a weekend in a single town in Mexico. I gained some knowledge about bullfighting, but soon grew weary of reading about it. As I don't have any liking for this sport, I even started cheering for the bull.

There were several chapters that delved into the history of Mexico, ranging from the ancient tribes engaged in battles with each other to the civil wars that occurred in the 20th century. However, the stories about human sacrifice made me feel sick.

Overall, I did not enjoy this book. There must be a plethora of other aspects about Mexico that Mitchener could have explored. This is not Mitchener at his finest. His other novels are far more comprehensive and cover a much broader span of history. Undoubtedly, this book failed to pique my interest in Mexico.

I have always had a deep passion for historical fiction, and Michener happens to be my all-time favorite author. His works have the remarkable ability to transport readers to different eras and cultures, making history come alive in the most vivid and engaging way.

Whenever I embark on a journey, I make it a point to seek out one of his books. It serves as a wonderful companion, enhancing my understanding and appreciation of the culture I am about to encounter.

During my recent stay on the beautiful beaches of Mexico, I had the pleasure of reading one of Michener's masterpieces. This book was an absolute gem, providing me with a profound insight into the rich history, diverse traditions, and fascinating people of this remarkable country.

As I delved deeper into the pages, I found myself increasingly captivated by the story and the characters. I gained a newfound respect for Mexico and its people, and my admiration for their resilience and creativity grew with each passing chapter.

This experience has truly solidified my love for historical fiction and my belief in the power of literature to broaden our horizons and connect us with the world around us.

If you have an affinity for Michener's writing style, then this particular work is bound to appeal to you. Just like all of his other masterpieces, it demands a certain level of dedication from the reader. However, the rewards are well worth the effort.

As you delve into the pages, you will discover a wealth of knowledge about bullfighting that you could never have imagined. Even if you reside in one of the many cultures around the world that prohibits this controversial sport/art, if you approach the text with an open and receptive mind, you might be surprised to find yourself developing an unexpected appreciation for bullfighting.

It offers a unique perspective that challenges our preconceived notions and allows us to explore a world that is both thrilling and complex. Michener's ability to bring this subject to life through his vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling is truly remarkable.

So, if you're ready to embark on a literary journey that will expand your horizons and deepen your understanding of a fascinating topic, give this book a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Bullfighting is a topic that holds very little interest for me. In fact, I would say there is way too much emphasis placed on it. I find the whole concept rather archaic and inhumane. The idea of a bull being pitted against a matador in a so-called "sport" seems cruel and unnecessary. There are so many other aspects of culture and entertainment that I would much rather focus on. Bullfighting just doesn't do it for me. It seems to be more about tradition and spectacle than anything else. I would much rather explore other forms of art, music, or literature. There is so much beauty and creativity to be found in those areas that I feel are far more worthy of my attention. Bullfighting may have its enthusiasts, but for me, it's just not something that I can get excited about.

Michener never fails to educate me, in a most enjoyable way. His works are like a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment.

I wouldn't say this was my favorite Michener, but I am still a big fan. His ability to bring history and different cultures to life is truly remarkable. I intend to keep reading everything he ever wrote, as it's a great way to pass the commute.

After reading this particular piece, I have a greater appreciation for the history of the Mexican people. It has opened my eyes to the rich and complex tapestry of their past. For the first time, I have a desire to travel in Mexico, other than at the beach. I want to explore the ancient ruins, visit the vibrant cities, and experience the unique culture that Michener has so vividly described.

Michener's writing has inspired me to look beyond the surface and discover the hidden gems of different countries and cultures. I can't wait to see where his words will take me next.

OK, I finally finished this blasted book. I'm awarding it 4 stars out of respect for Michener, who was a good man and a highly respectable storyteller. Additionally, he donated several million dollars to UT-Austin. However, this book was way too long, damn it! Where on earth are the editors? In fact, towards the end, I began to notice repetitive passages and thought about how I would have trimmed the fat. I started reading objectively, like an editor, and that's definitely not a good sign.

It's a pity because there is a lot of good content here as well. I learned something about Mexico and a great deal about bullfighting, although its merit is questionable in this day and age. I don't see the honor in killing bulls for sport, but then again, it is a sport and a part of history. So, I tried to read with that perspective in mind. The environmentalist in me was disappointed that they don't at least eat the meat. Maybe they did in some cases, but it wasn't clear.

The historical vignettes were quite interesting. I say quite interesting rather than fascinating because, once again, the book gets bogged down in so many places. And the abundance of characters almost seems to be ego-driven. It's like, "Behold, I am James Michener, and I present you with a boatload of characters because I am Michener, and I can do that." However, as I said earlier, there are also good things here. But I really shouldn't feel this drained at the end.

I really loved the first half of this. It was truly captivating and held my attention from the very beginning.

The story had a great start, with interesting characters and a plot that seemed to unfold in a seamless and engaging way.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that was being created, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

The writing style was also very enjoyable, with a good flow and pacing that made it easy to read and follow along.

Overall, I would highly recommend the first half of this to anyone who is looking for a good read. It has all the elements that make a great story, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of it plays out.

This was not one of Michener's best works.

About two-thirds of the way through the book, I was on the verge of giving up and seeking something else to read. The reason was that I felt the story line had become sluggish and seemed to be going nowhere.

Life is short, and there are countless books that I'm eager to explore. Nevertheless, I have a particular habit when faced with such a situation. I randomly pick a part of the unread book and start reading.

This time, that random selection was sufficient to inspire me to continue. There were certain sections in this book that kindled my curiosity. As a result, I dug out some history books I had about Mexico and added them to my future reading list.

Although the overall book might not have been outstanding, those few captivating sections managed to salvage the reading experience for me and even led to new areas of interest.

I love historical fiction

I had a bit of a slog to start this book. At first, I found it a bit difficult to get into the story. However, as I continued reading, I gradually connected with the characters and the story. To my surprise, bullfighting, which I had never been interested in before, caught my eye. As usual, Michener did an excellent job of connecting history and the Halifax family for several generations. He presented both the good and bad perspectives of each character, making them more realistic and relatable. The book not only provided an interesting story but also gave me a deeper understanding of history. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.