Mexico: The Day of the Dead: An Anthology

by Chloe Sayer

Book Overview

On November 2nd, All Souls' Day, the dead are granted celestial permission to visit friends and relatives on Earth, and the entire country of Mexico is given over to fiesta. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877738890
• ISBN13: 9780877738893
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Shambhala Publications
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An Insightful Anthology

Having been fascinated by El Día de los Muertos and taught about it in my Spanish classes for many years, I've relied on numerous resources for facts. This one, however, has proven to be a source of more than factual information; it is a unique anthology of writings, photos, and artwork that reflect the significance and mood of the holiday and provide insight beyond anything I've seen before. As a teacher and poet, I dare say it has even provided a spark of inspiration for enhancing my lessons and composing "calaveritas" (whimsical poems to honor or roast the living).

"Earth is not our last home"

Good things come in small packages is very true with this little book. At under a hundred pages and able to fit in your palm this is the perfect companion to take anyplace, anytime, anywhere. I recommend finding this authoritve book that is filled with many delightful pictures. The color and historical black and white photographs are all excellent, worth the price of the book alone. Anyone interested in the Day of the Dead and how it is celebrated in Mexico should add this little gem to their collection. Colectors like myself, of calaveras will love the Posadas, sugar skulls, papier-mache and other decorative skulls included in the book. The color photographs are outstanding and very different from the usual fair found in most books on this subject. Some of the historical photgraphs are of the rarely seen family portraits with children that have passed from this world.There is even a series of color postcards inside but it seems to be waste to pull them out. The text is minimal but highly informative complete with poems by Aztec kings and Sor Juana Inez De La Cruz honoring the dead. Several observers of the Mexican Day of the Dead are featured most notably Sergei Eisensteini's thoughts and reflections when he made "Que Viva Mexico"! There is a scene in the movie depicting the Day of the Dead and Eisenstein's scribbled notes, a primitive story book written on stationary from his stay at the Hotel Regis in Mexico city is included. An excerpt from Octavio Paz's "Labyrinth of Solitude" rounds out a concise view of the Day of the Dead. All in all this is a fascinating look and read of the celebration of death celebrated in November that dates back to the pre-conquest time period. The author, Chloe Sawyer, has written numerous books on Mexico and Peru and has lectured throughtout the world and is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropoligical Institute.

Like a lantern...

Chloe Sayer offers readers a journey through the Day of the Dead. Into the darkness she goes, illuminating the honoring of the dead with written tributes from poets and novelists, and artwork from Mexico's greatest artists and handicrafters. The living play a special role with the dead, honoring them each year for a few days to help energize their spirits. A compact, beautiful little book.