26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a brilliant book., March 8, 2002
This review is from: Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman (Paperback)
As the title indicates, this is not so much a straightforward and linear biography of Eva. Rather, this book is an examination of the myths that have sprouted up around Evita ("Evita," meaning "little Eva," was her nickname)in her own country and abroad.
The author, an anthropologist, brilliantly points out that what people believe about Eva, and the myths they construct around her, often have less to do with what Eva actually did in her real life, but with what people perceive she represented. Often, judgments and interpretations of Evita are meant to reflect well on the one who is doing the judging - whether it be the Peronists, the anti-Peronists, or foreigners.
The author discovers that Argentines have an unusual tendency to keep their national figures "alive." Few other people, says the author, see it as natural that the myths of long-dead leaders, as well as their bodily remains, would play a part in present day politics. Understanding Eva, who she was and what she accomplished, is often made difficult by this very fact - Argentines are fascinated with their own history and often force it into whatever shape they see as most fit. The author points out that the average Argentine is aware that his own version of his country's history may contradict that of his neighbor's.
The author also argues that while Peronists and anti-Peronists often believe they have different value systems, in fact they share many of the same values. Proof of their shared value system is that Evita is often interpreted in terms of her womanhood. The opposition sees Evita as a violation of the Argentine feminine ideal, whereas the Peronists see Evita as the definition of the feminine ideal. In both cases her gender and sexuality are made the forefront of her character and the judgment laid upon it: the opposition insists that Eva once worked as a prostitute and many of them claim so to this day, despite the fact that there is no evidence to support such a claim. Some Peronists suggest that, due to her heavy work schedule toward the end of her life, Evita did not have the time to have sexual relations with her husband. In both evaluations of her character her sexuality, her virginity, is important, and can therefore be seen as a result of the Catholic value system that permeates all Hispanic cultures. Evita is thus judged against the archetype of "Marianismo" (The Virgin Mary, and her accompanying ideals and virtues). The author also argues, as indicated by the book title, that the myths surrounding Evita are not only linked to Argentine ideas of womanhood, but international and cross-cultural ideas of womanhood and the "mysterious" powers often subscribed to them in relation to their ability to give birth, and their alleged potential for "corrupting" influence if not controlled by a man or male-dominated institution (the opposition often complained that her husband, the President, did not keep Evita "in check"). The author further argues that there is evidence that all peoples are likely to subscribe to women spiritual and mystical powers, and that this equation has led to the "saint abroad" - the belief held by many foreigners that Evita's followers saw her as a saint. The most popular example of this "saint abroad" can be found in the musical "Evita," most vividly in the song "Santa Evita" ("Saint Evita").
One of the most fascinating things about this book is the revelation that Evita's followers, the "Descamisados" (Spanish for "the shirtless ones"), generally do not see Evita as a saint, instead they see her in a rather pragmatic light - when asked what Evita meant to them and what she had done, the poor often listed the laws she had advocated and helped to pass, rarely is there mention of supernatural or saintly powers. It appears that it was Evita's opposition and the middle class of Argentina that created the myth that Evita's "gullible" followers saw her as a saint and the possessor of mystical powers; thus the middle class of Argentina created what the author terms a "myth of a myth."
A word of "caution" - this book is not always an easy read. I believe this book is the author's thesis work, and is therefore often full of words that necessitate the aid of a dictionary. Obscure and veiled references and phraseology abound. Often, particularly toward the beginning of the book, the author's paragraphs will consist of one thought repeated several times with different word usage. This book may be something of a struggle for the "lay" reader, myself among them. There are passages in this book that seem as though they are written in another language, perhaps even written with the intention of confusing the reader. But in all, this is a very well written and well-researched book, one of the best examinations available of this fascinating woman (and I have read most of them). Understanding this book is worth the effort for anyone interested in deciphering the myths and meanings behind the myths of the late, great Evita.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An In-Depth Account of the Many Myths Inspired by the now Mythic Eva Peron., April 26, 2006
This review is from: Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman (Paperback)
Julie M Taylor's well-researched book is not a biography but an anthropological study of the many myths surrounding Evita and their origins. It is loaded with a tremendous amount of information pertaining to Eva Peron, Argentine society and its history. It is somewhat surprising that a young woman like Eva Peron would become the object of so much fanatical hatred and adoration. For those that despise her, she is a harlot, a murderess dictator who crushed anyone who opposed her and got in her way. For those that love her she is a mother, a saint, a revolutionary. These contradictory images that arose during Eva's lifetime took a life of their own after her premature death and have clouded Eva's true history to such an extent that it has been stated her story has forever left the world of reality and entered that of fiction. Several of the myths discussed here have made their way into history books and biographies which have sold this mis-information as fact making it very hard for a serious biographer to tell her story objectively.
Julie Taylor's book explores every one of these myths in detail and gives us an explanation as to why Eva Peron inspired them and why the public chose to believe them. In most instances, Eva's sexuality and beauty had a lot to do with it. In other's, it was Eva's unconventional, non-feminine behavior which isn't surprising since at the time, woman were never seen taking an active role in politics. Eva offended the non-Peronist men of the time because this was one of the first times in their history where a woman was giving orders. The Aristocracy on the other hand was shocked to see a woman of no class, loose morals and with no formal education rise to a position of wealth and fame. In other words, a woman of Eva Duarte's background has no right to achieve that level of power. What I find interesting is the simple fact that had Eva Duarte been born into a privileged class holding a hereditary title or had she been born a man several of these myths would never have been born.
This book is highly recommended to those interested in learning more about this strange, complex woman known as Evita. She will forever remain an enigma but Julie M Taylor's research gives us a unique glimpse into her tumultuous life by dissecting the numerous myths surrounding her persona shedding some light as to why people react so differently when Eva Peron's name is mentioned. It may also help you better understand this remarkable woman's actions and the erroneous myths her actions aroused and why she became so mythological within her country's political landscape. Even if your attitude towards Eva is indifferent, this book may surprise you since its purpose differs from the many other books written about her. As previously stated, it is not a biography (although her biography is included) but an in-depth examination of a charismatic leader, her time, her politics etc.
Thanks to JM Taylor's "Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman", the real woman behind the myth is revealed. She is unmasked as even far more remarkable than her legend. Whether you think she's a harlot, a saint or a fiery revolutionary, her impact on a nation cannot be denied. This woman deserves her legendary status, she earned it
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