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The Passenger: Mexico
Fully-illustrated, The Passenger collects the best new writing, photography, art and reportage from around the world.
IN THIS Underground Tenochtitlan by Guadalupe Nettel • Crime and (No) Punishment by Juan Villoro • The Birth of Fridolatry by Valeria Luiselli • the cocaine that washes in from the sea and the pearl of the west, the jungle train and the last stop on the line, femicide and TikTok politics, mole, rice, the Virgin of Guadalupe and much more ...
Once synonymous with escape and freedom, Mexico is now more frequently described as a place plagued by widespread violence, drug trafficking, endemic corruption, and uncontrolled migration. Under the patina of a tourist paradise—with its beaches, its ancient ruins, its tequila—lies a complex, dynamic country trying to carve out a place for itself in the shadow of its powerful neighbor.
The most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world, Mexico is also home to 89 indigenous peoples and one of the many contradictory legacies of the country’s colonial past, which still permeates its politics, society, religion, food, and culture. With a fifth of the population identifying as indigenous, the issue of rediscovering and revaluing the country’s pre-Columbian roots is at the center of the public debate. The controversial Mayan train project, which would connect Mexico’s Caribbean resorts with the South’s archaeological sites, crossing (and endangering) communities and forests, is a perfect example of the opposition between the two souls of the country.
The attempts to resolve this contradiction, or better still to learn to live with it, will define the Mexico of the future. Only by recognizing equal status to ethnic and linguistic minorities will the country be able to reconcile its fractured identity.
IN THIS Underground Tenochtitlan by Guadalupe Nettel • Crime and (No) Punishment by Juan Villoro • The Birth of Fridolatry by Valeria Luiselli • the cocaine that washes in from the sea and the pearl of the west, the jungle train and the last stop on the line, femicide and TikTok politics, mole, rice, the Virgin of Guadalupe and much more ...
Once synonymous with escape and freedom, Mexico is now more frequently described as a place plagued by widespread violence, drug trafficking, endemic corruption, and uncontrolled migration. Under the patina of a tourist paradise—with its beaches, its ancient ruins, its tequila—lies a complex, dynamic country trying to carve out a place for itself in the shadow of its powerful neighbor.
The most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world, Mexico is also home to 89 indigenous peoples and one of the many contradictory legacies of the country’s colonial past, which still permeates its politics, society, religion, food, and culture. With a fifth of the population identifying as indigenous, the issue of rediscovering and revaluing the country’s pre-Columbian roots is at the center of the public debate. The controversial Mayan train project, which would connect Mexico’s Caribbean resorts with the South’s archaeological sites, crossing (and endangering) communities and forests, is a perfect example of the opposition between the two souls of the country.
The attempts to resolve this contradiction, or better still to learn to live with it, will define the Mexico of the future. Only by recognizing equal status to ethnic and linguistic minorities will the country be able to reconcile its fractured identity.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
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If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.
Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 25, 2025
A brilliant collection of articles and investigative journalism exploring Mexico’s culture, history, politics and much more. I read this whilst on holiday in Mexico, to get a better understanding of the country. I think this series has similar books on other countries too and I would strongly recommend!
This book has such a diverse selection of articles to read , but I was especially interested to read about the influence of Mexica / Aztec culture in Mexican society today. Unlike in perhaps Rome or Athens, in Mexico there is a less obvious historical presence. This is because the Spanish destroyed almost everything , and built on top of many Aztec ruins. However, while there are less historical monuments, this ancient culture can still be found in society. Most significantly perhaps through food, as well as clothes and language. Having spent 3 weeks eating and exploring, it was really cool to then read about the history of specific things I’ve encountered .
It was interesting also to get more context on the militarisation of Mexico and declaration of the ‘war on drugs’. As depressing as it is to read , given the current political climate, i wanted to understand more about the complex relationship between the US and Mexico.
This book has such a diverse selection of articles to read , but I was especially interested to read about the influence of Mexica / Aztec culture in Mexican society today. Unlike in perhaps Rome or Athens, in Mexico there is a less obvious historical presence. This is because the Spanish destroyed almost everything , and built on top of many Aztec ruins. However, while there are less historical monuments, this ancient culture can still be found in society. Most significantly perhaps through food, as well as clothes and language. Having spent 3 weeks eating and exploring, it was really cool to then read about the history of specific things I’ve encountered .
It was interesting also to get more context on the militarisation of Mexico and declaration of the ‘war on drugs’. As depressing as it is to read , given the current political climate, i wanted to understand more about the complex relationship between the US and Mexico.
October 8, 2024
As someone who knew close to zero about Mexico, I chose to read this before heading there on holiday. The collection of ten or so essays give a good insight into the country's culture, history, and the topics and issues it is facing today. An overview of the political context of the country, along with numerous essays detailing the country's roots were particularly insightful.
Combined, this book has given me the little bit of knowledge that I was looking for, and set me up for my travels.
Combined, this book has given me the little bit of knowledge that I was looking for, and set me up for my travels.
November 7, 2024
An excellent and varied collection of essays giving much more nuanced and insightful perspectives on Mexico than are easily accessible elsewhere. Some essays are better than others (which I think is to be expected) but the collection hangs together really nicely and is definitely greater than the sum of its parts.
Probably slightly biased as I read it while in Mexico, which I think drastically improved my enjoyment of it. However, doing so has also really highlighted how well the book responds to questions and issues about contemporary Mexico - on more than one occassion, I came back to my hotel with a specific question or thing I was curious about and sat down to read this and it was immediately answered for me. Essential reading if you are going to/have been to Mexico and still extremely interesting and enjoyable if not.
Probably slightly biased as I read it while in Mexico, which I think drastically improved my enjoyment of it. However, doing so has also really highlighted how well the book responds to questions and issues about contemporary Mexico - on more than one occassion, I came back to my hotel with a specific question or thing I was curious about and sat down to read this and it was immediately answered for me. Essential reading if you are going to/have been to Mexico and still extremely interesting and enjoyable if not.
May 19, 2024
Great insightful read with different journalists for each chapter. Preferred the earlier chapters, but all were enjoyable and each gave a different insight into Mexican culture from food to music to politics etc. Will probably read another in the series.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews