Customer Reviews

A Vagabond in Mexico

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

 

 

First of all, a comment to the reviewer who wrote a "book report" -- A Vagabond In Mexico is non-fiction, so if your instructor was on the ball, you must have received an automatic "F" for that one. To the second reviewer, I'll just say that "slumming in Mexico" is an unworthy way to describe Guzman's experience as well as offensive to those millions of our Mexican neighbors who are trapped in the conditions he describes. I do agree with his comment, however, that the book would benefit from some kind of background information on Guzman himself and the inspiration for his vagabond journey.

I first reviewed A Vagabond In Mexico many years ago, in The People' Guide To Mexico Travel Letter. That is now long out of print so I'll include it here:

"A Vagabond in Mexico is an unusual, thought-provoking book. In particular, anyone who thinks that Mexican `illegals' are easily drawn over the border should find it instructive. In searching for work in Mexico, Guzman's quest takes an ironic turn. Try as he might to better himself, he must eventually accept the misery of his circumstances. As hope for improvement dims, the author eventually confronts the wrenching dilemma that so many hardworking, impoverished Mexicans face today - that of leaving their friends and family behind and heading north, toward the elusive promise of a better life."

As far as I can tell, the only thing that has changed since Guzman wrote the book is that the reality of life for less-fortunate Mexicans is now far tougher than most of us can even imagine.

The People's Guide to Mexico (Peoples Guide to Mexico)

The books I'm interested in aren't typically true stories. If they are, they have strong spiritual undertones. However, this book was interesting to me. I feel it's a piece of valuable information and a good story that brings you with him in his journeys. It's eye opening and I felt that it was so good to reflect on things that were happening on the opposite side of North America.

I like the way Mr. Guzman writes. There were lots of words I didn't understand, but he explains the technical words so you're not left behind in the jargon.

I definitely intend to finish the book, I've just got so much to read nowadays. To be honest, books on spirituality like The Power of Now and Conversations with God for example, take precedence over Mr. Guzman's story for me. But if those things aren't more important for you, then I think you'd really enjoy "A Vagabond in Mexico".

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

:)

I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave a very different perspective on visiting Mexico as a laborer instead of a typical tourist.

A Vagabond in Mexico has its moments, but the author's unwillingness to provide information about himself means the reader is left in the dark as to why he chose this little adventure, what motivated him to go slumming in Mexico.

Moderately interesting, but it will seem very shallow to anyone familiar with the country and the people.

I did not know many of the things discussed in this book. I enjoyed it very much while on vacation in.. Cuba! I feel less ignorant about mexicans although this book does not pretend to be a documentary type. Great reading.

The book that i chos for my 4th quater book report on a fiction book is called, A Vagabond in Mexico, and was written by S. Guzman-C. The book starts off as the main character who is also the author of the book, is arriving in mexico on bus. At first he goes there so he can find a decent job, and really get a good look on how citizens there live. Along his journey he takes up a couple of jobs each different from the first. He has worked as a fisherman, caretaker, farm laborer, leather shop worker, and many other boring. Each job at first he would the learner, and over time he became very welled skilled at his work. Also along the way he would meet locals and even some people from the states. Most of them were either his boss or his co-workers. He would work for these people and in return they would give him a place to stay and some food. This is how he would get by while his saty in mexico. So basically the book is about a man trying to find his true calling in a foreign land.

Throughout the book i really like how the main character would live off of his labor and hard work. What i mean by this is that he would hike or hitch hike to town to town working for food and shelter. He never gave up. Also i enjoyed the different people he would throughout the book. My favorite one was Chino who lived in the first town that Guzman stops at. Chino gives him a place to stay and intorduces him to everyone and reall watches out for him.

The only thing that i could say that i disliked about the book because it was very dull and boring. He would talk about doing every day things. Like getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth and eating breakfest and stuff like that. He could of made it more exciting. I mean who is going to know what really happened. Over all i thought this book was ok and would not recommend it to anyone.