Mexican Ghost Tales of the Southwest: Stories and Illustrations [Paperback]

Alfred Avila (Author), Kat Avila (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1994

deliciously gory folktales salvaged by Avila

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Hacked and badly translated from Mexican legends, these stories do not hold up when compared with classics in the genre. They are ridiculously flat and predictable. In "La Llorona," a woman drowns her children because they annoy her by crying for food. She is condemned to wander for eternity searching for their bones. In "Devil Dog," a drunk walks across railroad tracks and sees two red eyes following him and then disappears, never to be seen again. How many times have we heard that one? Better choices for nighttime campfires and slumber parties would be Alvin Schwartz's "Scary Stories" books (HarperCollins) or Gretchen Mayo's Star Tales (Walker, 1987). Those well-told tales will continue to entertain young readers.
Julie Halverstadt, Douglas Public Library District, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"These 21 Mexican folktales of the 'new Southwest' have one thing in common--they are uncommonly creepy." -- Booklist

... [Readers] raised with abuelo's stories will feel a familiar chill upon encountering these tales of evil spirits and hapless humans. -- MELUS, vol. 23, no. 1 (Spring 1998): 194-96, book review by Mary Anne Bernal

Mexican Ghost Tales of the Southwest is certainly a valuable addition to libraries interested in expanding their multicultural holdings. -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), April 1995, book review by Jennifer A. Fakolt

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Arte Publico Press; 1st edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558851070
• ISBN-13: 978-1558851078
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,539,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > Hispanic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars E For Effort, April 9, 2004

By 

Diane "Diane" (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mexican Ghost Tales of the Southwest: Stories and Illustrations (Paperback)

I do recall hearing many of these stories as a child and the book triggered wonderful childhood memories. Coming from a Mexican family, these stories were presumed to be actual accounts and were a successful tool for parents to keep children in line.

These accounts came to life when Grandpa whispered them to us on a warm, moonlit Summer night...as the kids huddled around him, clutching on to one another.

I am grateful that the essence of the stories is preserved in writing. In all fairness to the author, something is lost during the transition from storyteller to the pages in a book. A good story teller has the unfair advantage of mannerisms, facial expressions and the opportunity to grab an unsuspecting, trembling youngster at the most chilling point of the story.

To readers who did not grow up where these stories were an essential part of life, please do not judge these tales on the book alone, for they were meant to be heard, not read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!!!, November 15, 2006

By 

Edgar Ovalle (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mexican Ghost Tales of the Southwest: Stories and Illustrations (Paperback)

I love this book. It's a wonderful source of Mexican Folktales. Find things like a Lechusa, black dog and La Llorona in this great little book of Mexican folktales.