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Where Gringos Don't Belong
Early in the evening of November 25, 2006 George Bynum leaves his Mexican novia among anti-government protest marchers in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico and returns to his apartment to finish a report for his employers. Before he can finish, his cell phone rings. “They’re attacking Killing..! They won’t stop!” his novia’s voice rings in his ears. He rushes out to try to find
Her. Blinded by teargas from a federal police assault he trips and has to be helped to safety. He and several others, including a young woman named Claudi Auscher, make their way back to George’s apartment. Claudi, who defines herself as “a Mexican Jew gypsy bitch” joins George in his efforts to reestablish contact with his novia who has been flown to a maximum security prison along with other innocent victims of the militarized purge. George and Claudi are fictional characters but the events in which they’ve become embroiled are based on the actual political and social upheavals that reverberated through Oaxaca from November 2006 through April 2007.
Her. Blinded by teargas from a federal police assault he trips and has to be helped to safety. He and several others, including a young woman named Claudi Auscher, make their way back to George’s apartment. Claudi, who defines herself as “a Mexican Jew gypsy bitch” joins George in his efforts to reestablish contact with his novia who has been flown to a maximum security prison along with other innocent victims of the militarized purge. George and Claudi are fictional characters but the events in which they’ve become embroiled are based on the actual political and social upheavals that reverberated through Oaxaca from November 2006 through April 2007.
- GenresFiction
179 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Robert Joe Stout
15 books45 followersROBERT JOE STOUT is a journalist who has worked as a magazine editor, newspaper reporter, copy editor and contributing editor. The author of Hidden Dangers, Mexico on the Brink of Disaster; Why Immigrants Come to America; and The Blood of the Serpent: Mexican Lives plus the novels Where Gringos Don't Belong; Running Out the Hurt; and Miss Sally, he has published nonfiction widely in magazines, journals, and newspapers. His short fiction has appeared in literary and trade magazines and his poetry includes the books Monkey Screams and A Perfect Throw. He lives in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Blog at http://mexicoconamor.files.wordpress....
Blog at http://mexicoconamor.files.wordpress....
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 2, 2017
This story was not really my cup of tea. However, I was surprised to find that by the end when the author throws his shocking and sad twist ending into the mix I realized I had started to connect to the characters and was somewhat invested the story. I couldn't give this review one star, because the ending wouldn't have hit me so hard if I hadn't started to care about the characters and what happened to them. So for where the story takes the reader, that alone garnered the two stars.
But now onto why I couldn't completely get behind this book. For one, the dialogue is very heavy in its use of Spanish. Nothing against the language, but I don't speak it and am too lazy to use "Google Translate" that many times so it caused me to skip over sections of dialogue whenever I saw the italics because I knew I'd have no clue what they were saying. Initially, I also really had trouble following along with the story at the beginning of the book. There isn't enough background given about Patricia and George before we are thrust into the kidnapping scene. The book needed to be longer to introduce us a bit more to these characters so that we would be more invested when big events like the protest come up. I also couldn't get a handle on what the story was really about. Is it about George trying to save Patricia? The answer must be no, because that piece of the plot gets wrapped up and never really spoken of again. Is it about his romance with Claudi or maybe this improved irrigation system that his students are trying to build? The irrigation part of the story was the most confusing because I didn't see how it connected to what happened to Patricia in the beginning. It just sort of became the story for the last half of the book. So overall, I guess it was a love story, but with a touch of drama having to do with the corrupt government. Your guess is as good as mine.
Most of the time I spent reading this was a struggle. It took me awhile to like Claudi because I couldn't just forget about Patricia as easily as the main character could. However, by the end the author did surprise me with his conclusion which left a good taste in my mouth about the reading experience. However, it doesn't erase the other issues I had with the book and because of that I gave it two out of five stars.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
But now onto why I couldn't completely get behind this book. For one, the dialogue is very heavy in its use of Spanish. Nothing against the language, but I don't speak it and am too lazy to use "Google Translate" that many times so it caused me to skip over sections of dialogue whenever I saw the italics because I knew I'd have no clue what they were saying. Initially, I also really had trouble following along with the story at the beginning of the book. There isn't enough background given about Patricia and George before we are thrust into the kidnapping scene. The book needed to be longer to introduce us a bit more to these characters so that we would be more invested when big events like the protest come up. I also couldn't get a handle on what the story was really about. Is it about George trying to save Patricia? The answer must be no, because that piece of the plot gets wrapped up and never really spoken of again. Is it about his romance with Claudi or maybe this improved irrigation system that his students are trying to build? The irrigation part of the story was the most confusing because I didn't see how it connected to what happened to Patricia in the beginning. It just sort of became the story for the last half of the book. So overall, I guess it was a love story, but with a touch of drama having to do with the corrupt government. Your guess is as good as mine.
Most of the time I spent reading this was a struggle. It took me awhile to like Claudi because I couldn't just forget about Patricia as easily as the main character could. However, by the end the author did surprise me with his conclusion which left a good taste in my mouth about the reading experience. However, it doesn't erase the other issues I had with the book and because of that I gave it two out of five stars.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
June 6, 2015
Life In Oaxaca – A review of the book ‘Where Gringos Don't Belong’
“It's a shame there has to be a tragedy before the best in people will finally shine.” - E.A. Bucchianeri
Author Robert Stout’s book ‘Where Gringos Don't Belong’ is a fictionalized tale surrounding the factual events that took place in Oaxaca, Mexico. A major social and political upheaval took place in Oaxaca circa 2006 when non-violent protests by local groups led to a violent and brutal reaction by the police on the agitators. This event serves as the backdrop to the life story of two individuals affected by it.
Robert paints a vivid and personal portrait of Oaxaca seen through the eyes of George & Claudia as their town burned down around them. It’s a brutal reminder of the demonic violence human beings are capable of inflicting upon each other.
Claudia is an impulsive, wild & strong girl with a soft heart and her character if nicely contrasted and offset by George’s sensitive & confused personality that also has a raw edge to it. They are vastly different from one another and yet they find comfort in each other during a tragedy.
The characters are highly likeable and their emotional and physical struggles are relatable too. It will raise certain ethical and controversial questions in your mind. You will find asking yourself what you would have done in similar circumstances.
Where Gringos Don't Belong provides not only a fictional and tragic love story but also a deep insight into the various issues that plagued a town and its people during a tumultuous period.
“It's a shame there has to be a tragedy before the best in people will finally shine.” - E.A. Bucchianeri
Author Robert Stout’s book ‘Where Gringos Don't Belong’ is a fictionalized tale surrounding the factual events that took place in Oaxaca, Mexico. A major social and political upheaval took place in Oaxaca circa 2006 when non-violent protests by local groups led to a violent and brutal reaction by the police on the agitators. This event serves as the backdrop to the life story of two individuals affected by it.
Robert paints a vivid and personal portrait of Oaxaca seen through the eyes of George & Claudia as their town burned down around them. It’s a brutal reminder of the demonic violence human beings are capable of inflicting upon each other.
Claudia is an impulsive, wild & strong girl with a soft heart and her character if nicely contrasted and offset by George’s sensitive & confused personality that also has a raw edge to it. They are vastly different from one another and yet they find comfort in each other during a tragedy.
The characters are highly likeable and their emotional and physical struggles are relatable too. It will raise certain ethical and controversial questions in your mind. You will find asking yourself what you would have done in similar circumstances.
Where Gringos Don't Belong provides not only a fictional and tragic love story but also a deep insight into the various issues that plagued a town and its people during a tumultuous period.
October 3, 2015
I won this book on goodreads. This captivating short novel, although fictious, is based during the time period of the social and political upheavals in Oaxaca. The characters are very likable and it leaves you pondering everything at the very end. Good read-4 stars!
February 2, 2025
DNF @ 19%
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway a few years back.
I’ve tried 4 different times to start reading it. Each time I fail less than 40 pages in.
It’s not a bad story by any means, and if anything it very quickly shows genuine social issues and struggles within Mexican communities in regards to social justice. But the writing is clunky, rushed, and too edgy and misogynistic enough too many scenes give me the ick—why is your main character thinking of having sex with a woman they just met so much when their literal girlfriend was just illegally detained??? Why are you making pick-me women who describe themselves as “gypsy bitches”??? I don’t even care if that’s what the real person said, that’s just ick. An editor would have helped as well, given that every other time Spanish is used, the accent marks over letters aren’t even facing the correct direction.
TL;DR: I’m invested in the story, but the delivery makes it crash and burn.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway a few years back.
I’ve tried 4 different times to start reading it. Each time I fail less than 40 pages in.
It’s not a bad story by any means, and if anything it very quickly shows genuine social issues and struggles within Mexican communities in regards to social justice. But the writing is clunky, rushed, and too edgy and misogynistic enough too many scenes give me the ick—why is your main character thinking of having sex with a woman they just met so much when their literal girlfriend was just illegally detained??? Why are you making pick-me women who describe themselves as “gypsy bitches”??? I don’t even care if that’s what the real person said, that’s just ick. An editor would have helped as well, given that every other time Spanish is used, the accent marks over letters aren’t even facing the correct direction.
TL;DR: I’m invested in the story, but the delivery makes it crash and burn.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews