Mexican Literature

[ronanZo]

Hey, Im looking for a book for my mate who will be going to Mexico soon.
He already has a decent level of spanish and is intrested in Mexican culture.

Can anyone recommend maybe a set of short stories or short novels which I could get him as a present.

Ideally, I would be looking for a books with not too difficult spanish, with tales that most Mexican people would know about.

Also, if this is the wrong place to be looking, can someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Rz.

[mono]

Hello, ronanZo, welcome to the forum. :)
Your question just made me notice how out-of-sync I feel with Mexican literature; I feel more familiar with poetry from Mexican and Spanish poets. Unfortunately, I have few recommendations, but you can always look into anything by Jorge Luis Borges (from Argentina, I think, but very much worth reading of his short stories and poetry), Gabriel Garcia Marquez (though originally from Colombia), Octavio Paz (more in recognition of poetry and essays). Lastly, though I have read nothing by him, I have heard wonderful things of the short stories by Julio Cortázar.
Good luck, and I apologize I could not help more.

[Nightwalk]

Hello ronanZo, welcome to the forums. I highly recommend Octavio Paz's The Labyrinth of Solitude and Other Wrtings and Juan Rulfo's Pedro Paramo. Very good reads.

[mono]

Again, I refer greatly more to poetry, but if your friend likes poetry, he/she would likely feel very interested in Pablo Neruda (Chilean originally, I think).
Good luck!

[ronanZo]

Yes, thats great.

I was looking at The Labyrinth of Solitude alright, or maybe Poemas and Collected poems.

I just have the one worry that it may be a tiny bit difficult for him.
He has probably a higher intermediate level of spanish.

Do ye think I should still get The Labyrinth of Solitude for him, or should I just stick to something short like Poemas?
He does like poetry.

Let me know what ye think?

P.s Thanks for all the help btw. I really appreciate it.

[Nightwalk]

Hello ronanZo, you're welcome. The Labyrinth of Solitude may be an appropriate work for your friend because Paz writes eloquently about the Mexican character and psyche, also the country's history and how it affects the nation's culture. So if your friend is going on a trip to Mexico the book may be of help to him in understanding the country and it's people.

Paz is a better writer than poet, so I highly recommend his prose.

Do the books have to be in Spanish? There are good English translations of the works if the originals are too difficult for him.

[slipperyyoke]

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.

[Serenata]

In my Spanish class, my teacher has us read these short stories about either Mexican legends or how their holidays got their start. Could this be of use?