Peregrina: Love And Death in Mexico

Louann Atkins Temple Women & Culture Series

by Alma M. Reed, Michael K. Schuessler (Editor), Elena Poniatowska (Foreword by)

In the Yucatán, they never forgot Alma Reed. She arrived for the first time in 1923, on assignment for the New York Times Sunday Magazine to cover an archaeological survey of Mayan ruins. It was a contemporary Maya, however, who stole her heart. Felipe Carrillo Puerto, said to be descended from Mayan kings, had recently been elected governor of the Yucatán on a platform emphasizing egalitarian reforms and indigenous rights. The entrenched aristocracy was enraged; Reed was infatuated—as was Carrillo Puerto. He and Reed were engaged within months. Yet less than a year later—only eleven days before their intended wedding—Carrillo Puerto was assassinated. He had earned his place in the history books, but Reed had won a place in the hearts of Mexicans: the bolero "La Peregrina" remains one of the Yucatán's most famous ballads.

Alma Reed recovered from her tragic romance to lead a long, successful life. She eventually returned to Mexico, where her work in journalism, archaeology, and art earned her entry into the Orden del Aguila Azteca (Order of the Aztec Eagle). Her time with Carrillo Puerto, however, was the most intense of her life, and when she was encouraged (by Hollywood, especially) to write her autobiography, she began with that special period. Her manuscript, which disappeared immediately after her sudden death in 1966, mingled her legendary love affair with a biography of Carrillo Puerto and the political history of the Yucatán. As such, it has long been sought by scholars as well as romantics. In 2001, historian Michael Schuessler discovered the manuscript in an abandoned apartment in Mexico City. An absolutely compelling memoir, Peregrina restores Reed's place in Mexican history in her own words.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography

347 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2006

Reviews

[sam segrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

En Alma Reed se encuentran mis dos grandes pasiones: la arqueología maya y romances veraniegos con comunistas en Mérida 😍

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story.

Alma Reed was a New York Times journalist in the 1920´s. She accompanied some American archeologists to the Yucatan for an article for the newspaper. While there, she met and fell in love with the socialist governor, Felipe Carrillo Puerto. This is the story of Felipe and his rise to power in Yucatan.

I knew of his story but this written account has a lot of detail including the order of the Felipe Carrillo's execution with his compañeros. I thought the execution occurred at the Penitentiary but he and his compañeros were imprisoned there but taken away in trucks in the middle of the night and shot against a wall in the cemetery. Upon returning to the penintentiary, one of the Mexican soldiers said how disgusting the entire episode was. He, too, was shot.

I also thought that the hacienda owners were behind the arrest and execution. They may have been but the impetus was the de la Huerta uprising. Felipe Carrillo supported President Obregón and not de la Huerta and the army in Yucatan supported de la Huerta. Hence, his arrest and execution.

Besides the murders and politics, this is also a love story between Alma and Felipe. The title, Peregrina, refers to the song Felipe commissioned to show his love for Alma.

Wonderful history but I found it difficult reading because the writing style is from the 1920´s.

[Ulises · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia proscrita al fondo de la historia que sería motivo de orgullo para cualquier mexicano que ama a su patria. Un corazón dividido entre una mujer y una nación. Excelente libro.