Lucia Golec

I'm not even halfway through the book and I'm angry. In truth, I never take the time to give reviews or opinions, but this was necessary. I want to make it clear that for me and I think that for many who came across this story, the fact that the author is not of Mexican origin is irrelevant. Of course, if you are going to write about a social and political problem that does not pertain to your country, your task and duty is to make sure that each word you write represents a reality and has supporting information. The representation of Mexico as a country 100% controlled with the drug trafficker: "If a tourist mecca like Acapulco could fall, then nowhere in Mexico is safe." My God, I think it is the phrase that has most angered me in the book. I was born and raised in Querétaro, just a few blocks away where you would find the train station where the famous Beast passed by from time to time. Of course, the country has problems with violence, femicides, organized crime, etc. But Mexico also has states that fight these violent groups and have managed to offer their people a safe and quiet place to live. Places like Querétaro, Mérida, Monterrey, Guadalajara, among a thousand others. In no way do I deny that there are problems described in the book, only that if the author had done her due task to investigate a little more about Mexico, she would have known it. I am concerned that this is a narration that is now sponsored by Oprah, Stephen King and that there are others who dare to say that it is a true representation of Mexico. It pains me to think that this is how the image of Mexico will stay in the minds of the people who read this book. If you really want to know what Mexico is like, take the time to read books that from world renowned authors that truly depict Mexico. Or even watch Alfonso Cuarón's Rome movie. Read the Battles in the Desert (Jose Emilio Pacheco), or Like Water for Chocolate,(Laura Esquivel), Balun Canan (Rosario Castellanos). In short, there are many novels that are worthwhile and paint a real Mexico, not like this novel that is far from the truth.