The Mexican Pet: More "New" Urban Legends and Some Old Favorites [Paperback]

Jan Harold Brunvand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1988

"A uniquely entertaining book: edifying scholarship, diverting social history."—Elaine Kendall, Los Angeles Times

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Brunvand's previous collections of urban legends (slightly fantastic stories that circulate in contemporary society), The Vanishing Hitchhiker and The Choking Doberman , have been extremely popular. This collection complements the earlier books and in fact contains, in part, new versions of stories presented in them. These stories, which are often accepted as true, reflect the concerns of modern life. Brunvand demonstrates their broad dissemination in both oral communication and popular culture. Most academic folklorists will not be satisfied with the lack of analysis here, but they, like other readers, will be highly entertained. David S. Azzolina, Univ . of Pennsylvania Libs., Philadelphia
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Captures the spirit of convivial storytelling and even encourages the activity. . . . Many readers . . . will be gratified to know that Brunvand intends to continue this series of relaxed, unofficial excursions into popular legends. Admirers of curiosa and the psychology of crowds cannot afford to miss them. (Kirkus Reviews )

It is the charm of Mr. Brunvand's scholarship and presentation that he delivers the sad news of falsehood of these stories without being professorially reproachful toward those who have relayed him. (New York Times Book Review )

Together, these new wives' tales merge as an American picaresque, a compilation of myths that keep the telephone wires humming and cocktail parties doubly fueled. (Time )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 3rd edition (April 17, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393305422
• ISBN-13: 978-0393305425
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good stories -- some in the way of truth, September 8, 2008

By 

grasshopper4 (Arkansas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Mexican Pet: More "New" Urban Legends and Some Old Favorites (Paperback)

If you're interested in a good compilation of the texts of various urban legends, I'd highly recommend this book. Brunvand includes some of the ULs published in his earlier writing, but he adds a numerous new legends in this volume. The focus is largely on presenting a lot of stories, but there is enough background information to spark the readers' curiousity. His bibliography, foot-notes, and other publications can provide more information on the stories for readers who want more analysis. All-in-all, this book is a good introduction to the subject of urban legends, and he presents the stories very well. One of the more interesting elements of this book is that Brunvand finds the kernel of truth in some of the stories. He also shows how some can be debunked. Brunvand does miss the boat on a couple of the legends by claiming that they're not true, when they actually can be verified. A good example of this oversight is his attempt to debunk stories about big catfish. They really can grow to over 100 pounds in the USA, and some Asian varieties can exceed 600 pounds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting urban legends some of which will come true eventually if not already true, September 14, 2007

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Mexican Pet: More "New" Urban Legends and Some Old Favorites (Paperback)

Urban legends are fun to hear about, and the more bizarre are clearly false. However, what makes them interesting is that so many of them are at least plausible and events that have actually happened are probably even odder. As an academic my favorite section was "Legends of Academe." The blue book section lists what are some of the more interesting ways in which students have supposedly cheated on examinations. While I have not witnessed any of those in this book, I have seen so many students try to cheat on exams that none of those in the list seem implausible.
As video recording devices become more ubiquitous, news shows are demonstrating that actual events digitally captured often prove even more bizarre than the most bizarre sounding urban legends. A short time ago, I watched a news clip of two young men trying to steal beer from a convenience store by having one man walk in naked and distract the clerk by dancing while the other snatched the beer. A separate clip showed a young man putting an item of fireworks in his mouth and lighting it. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that as more unusual events are recorded and displayed for all to see, these venerable urban myths will be supplanted by even more bizarre actions. Furthermore, given the incredible desire of some people to become famous it is only a matter of time before some urban legends become true because somebody read about it and decided to make it happen.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew?, August 15, 2001

By 

Gypsychick "gypsychick" (miami, fl USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mexican Pet: More "New" Urban Legends and Some Old Favorites (Paperback)

Who knew that the sheer number of urban legends could spawn yet another book? Brunvand is the legend specialist and his research is excellent as he relates the legends and then reveals their origins. It is amazing to read his books and realize how many people actually swear these stories are completely true zand happened to a friend of a friend's hairdresser. This outing revisits some old favorites and also brings to light a few new ones. It is a fitting addition to the Brunvand collection (which are some of the best gift books to give and receive).