Breath on the Mirror: Mythic Voices and Visions of the Living Maya

by Dennis Tedlock

This remarkable book lets readers hear Maya myths as they are told today in the mountains of Guatemala. First published in 1993, Breath on the Mirror is now available only from UNM Press.
"A fascinating literary and anthropological excursion into the mental universe of the modern Quiché Maya and their forebears. The stories and myths so compellingly recounted here turn our own world upside-down and remake it in the Maya image. Reading this, one can understand why and how Maya culture has survived five centuries of oppression."--Michael D. Coe, Yale University, author of The Maya

Genres: Mythology, History, Anthropology, Spirituality

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Dennis Ernest Tedlock was the McNulty Professor of English and Research Professor of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He received his Ph.D. in 1968 from Tulane University.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An an intriguing look at the life of the ancient Maya people, how they saw the world, the cause for their beliefs and rituals, etc. Many of their descendants still hold some of the perspectives of the ancients.

[Sourdough Bread · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10

Very interesting book based on the retellings of Maya myths. While I could have personally benefited from more information of the mythology beforehand, the stories were very fascinating and full of wonder and life. The way the type is set to convey stories like making it smaller to read in a quieter voice is so unique and creative my favorite myths were the ones based on white sparkstriker. Also why doesn't goodreads have this gorgeous image as the book cover of the edition I was reading?

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Breath on the Mirror" is a conglomeration of various myths of the living Maya (as the title explains). Some of the myths revolve around the Popol Vu and some around historical events since the Spanish arrived. The latter also have Christian mythology mixed in so soon the story of Adam and Eve, or the story of Evenadam, looks more like the stories of Jacob and Esau as well as the Popol Vu, as told by a Mayan day keeper.

Tedlock also takes great care to help the reader understand not just the myths but the way they are told and where, when, and by whom they are told. Although necessary and delightful, the way the context is added can create some problems. Some of the chapters are very difficult to understand, and I even found that occasionally reading them out of order, even backwards, was more effective. He leaves out significant details and seems to be writing to those who already know the myths well. For example, in one chapter he explains the significance of some of the days of the year (which coincide to the twins' actions in the underworld, another thing not well explained), but he takes several chapters later to explain the naming of the days and how they're "counted"--information which would have made previous chapters much less confusing.

A wonderful, brilliant read, but make sure you know a decent amount about the Maya before reading it.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, like the myths it told, blends modern with ancient, "old" world with "new" world, reality and fiction. Reading it, therefore, was, at times confusing--if the author speaking of himself, what he heard and from what source, or if he is recounting a story is difficult to tell at times. Though the author is obviously an academic, he sometimes loses touch with the audience, at various points explaining in detail and then leaving main points ambiguous. Though this book seems to give a sense of Mayan culture and myth, it is not straight-forward with its messages. However, the included transcripted conversations with a modern Mayan priest(sic) retelling Judeo-Christian stories blended with Mayan stories is fascinating and worth skimming through the book to get to.

[Taylor Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It is honestly my favorite book, with Eve and Adam being my favorite chapter out of the reader. Tedlock's ability to transform ethnographic work in such a rhythmic and poetic manner on paper is inspiring. I insisted my daughter read it - this book made her an aspiring linguistic anthropologist. She saw language, meaning and cadence transformed into print and was completely inspired. She'll be applying this Fall to a few linguistics schools and including where you teach - thank you Tedlock for lighting a passion in my daughter and me.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you're into modern Maya stories & myths this is the right book.