Customer Reviews

Life Imitating Death

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"Les Barba's lyric descriptions of the highlands in Chiapas, Mexico are a painful contrast to the despair of the indigenous people of Southern Mexico as they struggle for daily survival in a harsh Darwinian social structure."
Jane Carton.

It's chancey when a friend asks you to review his book and even more so when it's your friend's premier effort. The topic (southern Mexico and the rebellion in Chiapas) hit near home, however, so I accepted the offer.
I really enjoyed this book! I live in Oaxaca and his descriptions of people and places ring very true. I haven't been to Chiapas yet although I thought I knew a lot about it from the media. Wrong! Les has done his research and it shows. I learned a lot about the reasons for the Chiapas rebelliion and how and why first world countries are aiding and abetting the destruction of indeginious people and their way of life.
I read "Life Imitating Death" shortly after reading "The DiVinci Code" and I found some similarities in this book; so much has to be hidden in codes and "authorities" are always on the trail of those trying to do good. I don't know how much of this book is non-fiction but if Les has been through some of the trials he tells about my cap is off to him. Reading about life in a Mexican prison, as just one example, had my stomach turning over.
I am sure there are many good books on Chiapas by journalists and humanitarians but having this information in the format of a real page-turning thriller is a treat.

This "near fiction novel" as the author Les Barba, describes it, begins it's fast moving pace with the whirl of a helicopter rotor and spotlight of 10,000 watts, glaring down upon the Chiapas school volunteers in southern Mexico. These volunteers consequently are imprisoned, beaten and deported and commanded never to return to Mexico.
This novel has many layers of interest: from romance & sex, deception & intrigue, ancient Aztec history to modern politics and strife, there is something for everyone here.
But especially if one has any concern for indigenous people and their rights, or the destruction of the planet by way of deforestation of the shrinking rainforests, or the as yet unknown implications of genetically engineered corn, you will be informed by this book about what is happening in Mexico. The jargon of this book sometimes smacks of old detective novels like Mike Hammer Detective, or an old Bogey movie but at times gets mystical. The unfortunate idea is that their always seem to be oppressors and that the names of the oppressors change every hundred years, whether it be Cortez, the Spaniards, the Mexican Government, mega oil companies or NAFTA. Great first novel. I understand a sequel is underway now. Can't wait to see if things go any better.
Kathryn Bickston