Recoms & chat about wrriters from Mexico and other Latin or South American countries

[mignonette]

Just that really. I am after some new books to read, short stories, long form and non fiction (travel, nature and food writing) from any of these countries and especially Mexico.

Would be lovely to chat to other fans of this region about the books and writers they admire and why.. :)

In translation or in Spanish?

In translation although I can read in Spanish- bit rusty though. :)

Not Mexico, but I enjoyed The House of the Spirits by Isabelle Allende.

Kiss of the Spider-Woman, Manuel Puig (Venezuela, I think)

Thanks - I have read some Allende (Aphrodite) but not that one and have heard of the latter (vaguely). Off to order them both.

Not Mexican but Gabriel Garcia Marquez is the obvious one that springs to mind, One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera. Louis de. Bernieres, though English, has a trilogy set in Latin America, magical realism inspired by Marquez.

Short stories, Jorge Luis Borge and poetry Pablo Neruda.

Thank you :)

Yes. Borges's Labyrinths/Ficciones is superb.

LOTS of good books that will bring Mexico alive, it's just which to read first! My faves are:

Sam Hawken is picks interesting themes for his books set in Mexico: Tequila Sunset and The Dead Women of Juarez.

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel is often seen as a quintessential 'Mexican' read. www.tripfiction.com/books/like-water-for-chocolate/

And something a bit different Down and Delirious in Mexico City by Daniel Hernandez www.tripfiction.com/books/down-and-delirious-in-mexico-city/

Some great suggestions on here. I have read the Esquivel and loved it but the Hernandez not and sounds right up my street.

Have ordered them all

Carlos Fuentes is a good place with Mexican literature.