From one of our foremost cultural critics comes a provocative collection of essays on kitsch and high art in the Americas. Citing high-profile individuals--such as the murdered singer Selena, Frida Kahlo, Carlos Fuentes, and others--Ilan Stavans examines how the masses turn their idols into icons. His search is not for the idol but for the idolater, and the ways in which technology and the media refurbish reality. 13 photos.
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"I think he has one of the best grips around on what makes Spanish America tick and he is most sensitive about its relationship to the rest of the world." -- Gregory Rabassa
About the Author
Ilan Stavans was born in Mexico in 1961. He has published numerous books, including Art and Anger and The One-Handed Pianist, both available from UNM Press. He teaches at Amherst College.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pompous,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Riddle of Cantinflas: Essays on Hispanic Popular Culture (Paperback)
I think these essays are pompous, overblown, self-conscious, and self-centered. The essays do not convey much information. They are exercises in writing, exercises in reading. I think an interesting idea for a book would be one that actually conveys some concept and understanding of Mexican culture to an outsider with an interest and sufficient familiarity to begin to understand. This is not that book.
3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Provoctive, sharp, intelligent...,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Riddle of Cantinflas: Essays on Hispanic Popular Culture (Paperback)
Stavans is a wonderful commentator of Latin American civilization. He is sharp, urbane, erudite. I love his style. I think it is even tender.
3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent essays. Stavans has a unique viewpoint...,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Riddle of Cantinflas: Essays on Hispanic Popular Culture (Paperback)
I loved these essays. Stavans is sharp, intelligent, uncompromising. His views on Cantinflas and Subcomandante Marcos are through-provoking and his piece on Sandra Cisneros finally placed her in the right perspective. A wonderful read!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
