Customer Reviews

Mayan Folktales: Folklore from Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reviewer, Dr. Janet M. Carey from Littleton, CO
Within this book Sexton has translated and edited thirty-five Mayan folktales told to him by his friend Ignacio Bizarro Ujpan who is a Tzutuhil Mayan Indian living in a town along the shores of Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala. The tales related are witty, fun and serious and sometimes bring one up with a start. This is a delightful book to read, but along with being entertaining it is a demonstration of the value of folktales within the anthropological realm of the study of a culture.
Analytical work such as Sexton has performed within the pages of Mayan Folktales, as he presents the tales for our enjoyment, also provides a window through which his audience can look to grasp a concept of Mayan thought and culture, modern and ancient. It has been a recognized fact since the 19th century that information exists within the midst of a vast floating body of folk traditions and practices which can add to the speculation of cultural origins, personality, values and attitudes.
Sexton's Introduction is a story in itself and gives the reader the background needed to thoroughly understand and enjoy the tales, his Notes give additional needed explanations. This book is not only a delight to read, but is also demonstrates the rich source of cultural insight concerning obligations, beliefs, values and thought systems to be found in folklore about how a people rationalize political, religious, social and economic behavior.

We actually only read one story in this book because the one we read was rambling and not very well written. The book--well, that one story--needs a good editor. On the other hand, the story was authentic Mayan (I assume), and for that reason, I am glad we have to book, and we will read other stories in it over time. It was interesting to see how different the ending was compared to how a moral fable would end in our culture. The kids (7 and 9) found it interesting as well. They were quite surprised by the ending.

James Sexton has done it again with this engaging collection of folktales from the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala, in Central America. Here are stories of corrupt authorities, sneaky thieves, desperate poor men and frightening supernatural beings that influence or outright control the lives of the Maya Indians. Sexton is an A+ editor who knows how to tell a rollicking good tale, and he has selected a couple dozen winners which give you a broad overview of many areas of Mayan life in the modern world. Folk tales take you into the imaginative life of a people, and these will show you Mayan hopes and dreams, fears and longings even as they weave stories of earth lords, intelligent animals and brave men trying to take care of their families in trying circumstances. If you're into the Maya this book is a must buy; if you're a lover of folktales this work will expand your repertoire of world cultures and introduce you to the Maya Indians; if you're a general reader here is a fun read that will remind you of Grimm's Fairy Tales and the oral tradition that the industrialized countries have all but lost. James Sexton is a first-rate story collector and story teller, and I recommend all his works most highly.

While these stories may have been handed down, they should specifiy that the content in some are actually quite vulgar and tasteless. This includes a male version of a Lorena Bobbit experience, i.e., husband cuts off his wife's lover's private member and feeding it to her.

I had a hard time viewing any of these as a form of cultural insight. Being of Mayan and Aztec descent, I cringe at the possibility that this book may be serve as reference to either cultures' general standards and intelligence levels.