International Authors Book Club

Read an author of your choosing from a predetermined country. November’s nation is Mexico. We will meet each third Thursday of the month to discuss your author, their works, and any themes they explore.

The suggested authors, all native born, represent just a fraction of Mexico’s literary tradition.

The bolded titles are available through your Santa Fe Public Library as books or ebooks (Hoopla or Overdrive/Libby).

For disability or translation accommodations, please email library@santafenm.gov or call the Library.

Suggested authors:

Manuel Maples Arce, author of Andamios Interiores

Arce’s work explores the idea of the city as a living organism, a theme central to Stridentism, a movement he founded. An example of his writings can be found in the Spanish language “Antologiuca de poesia Mexicana siglo XX.”

Mariano Azuela, author of The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (ebook)

He was the first of the "novelists of the Revolution," and influenced other Mexican novelists of social protest. Based on his experiences, The Underdog is the story of Demetrio Macias, a peasant who is mistreated by government soldiers and must flee his home. 

Carmen Boullosa, author of Before, The Book of Anna (Karenina’s novel), The Book of Eve, Cleopatra Dismounts, Heavens on Earth (ebook) and Texas: The Great Theft

The versatile writer explores a range of themes, including colonialism, gender, and language often by retelling histories from the perspective of a famous female.  Texas: The Great Theft imagines a world if Texas remained a Mexican territory.

Rosario Castellanos, author of Another Way to Be and The Book of Lamentations

Castellanos was a women’s writing pioneer in Mexico. Her works, including the novel, The Book of Lamentations and the essay collection Women and Power, explored themes of feminism, indigenous rights, and the Mexican experience. She appears in Bordering Fires: The Vintage Book of Contemporary Mexican and Chicano/a literature.

Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, author of various works

The playwright wrote about the social and political issues of New Spain. An example appears in The Norton Anthology of Latino Literature.

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, author of Ecos de Mi Pluma and the contents of the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz anthology

The nun is considered the first great Mexican writer. Her passionate writings on women’s rights and intellectual pursuits challenged the patriarchal norms of the 1600s. She wrote about the importance of education for women.

Álvaro Enrigue, author of Hypothermia, Sudden Death and You Dreamed of Empires

Enrigue’s books have been awarded the Herralde Prize, the Barcelona Prize, and the Poniatowska Prize. You Dreamed of Empires, a work of historical fiction about the first meeting between Montezuma and the invading Spaniards, was a New York Times Top 10 Book of 2024.

Laura Esquivel, author of The Law of Love, Like Water for Chocolate, Malinche, Pierced by the Sun and Swift as Desire

The former TV screenwriter uses magical realism in her works, That includes her debut Like Water for Chocolate, which became one of the highest-grossing foreign films ever in U.S.

Carlos Fuentes, author of The Death of Artemio Cruz

The Mexico City resident became one of the most important writers in Latin America, exploring Mexico’s history and cultural identity, as well as power and corruption.

An example of his writing can be found in Bordering Fires: The Vintage Book of Contemporary Mexican and Chicano/a literature.

Cristina Rivera Garza, author of Grieving, The Iliac Crest and Liliana’s Invincible Summer

A Gothic tale of destabilized male-female binaries and subverted literary tropes, The Iliac Crest is the first work by the acclaimed nonfiction writer translated into English.

Julian Herbert, author of Bring Me the Head of Quentin Tarantino: Stories, The House of the Pain of Others: Chronicle of a Small Genocide and Tomb Song

In The House of the Pain of Others, tells the story of how 300 Chinese immigrants in the newly founded city of Torreón were massacred over the course of three days. It is considered the largest slaughter of Chinese people in the history of the Americas, but more than a century later, the facts continue to be elusive, mistaken, and repressed.

Yuri Herrera, author of Kingdom Cons, Season of the Swamp, Signs Preceding the End of the World, and The Transmigration of Bodies

Herrera examines the experiences of Mexican migrants, as well as broader themes of power and corruption using sparse prose and a unique blend of genres, including elements of magic realism and crime fiction to garner widespread praise.

Valeria Luiselli, author of Faces in the Crowd, Lost Children Archive, Sidewalks, The Story of My Teeth and Tell Me How It Ends: an Essay in 40 questions

This star of Mexican literature explores themes of immigration, exile, and cultural identity, notably so in Lost Children Archive and The Story of My Teeth. Luiselli’s innovative techniques, such as incorporating photos and maps into her writing, garnered acclaim.

 Ángeles Mastretta, author of Lovesick, Tears of the Giraffe, The Emotion of Things and Women with Big Eyes

Mastretta’s work explores themes of love, loss, and the challenges of balancing personal and familial obligations. Her lyrical prose and deep empathy for her characters have made her a beloved figure in Mexican literature.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Mexican Gothic, and Silver Nitrate

The Baja- born Canadian writer is known for improving on tired literary formulas with richly drawn characters, saturated settings and deftly constructed plot twists. She edited a number of volumes celebrating H.P. Lovecraft which shows in her writing.

Guadalupe Nettel, author of After the Winter, Bezoar, Natural Histories, and The Body Where I Was Born (all ebooks)

Nettel was born with an eye condition that affected her sight, prompting her to immerse herself in books and writing. She won numerous Spanish-language awards for After the Winter and Natural Histories.

Nezahualcoyotl, author of Lamentations of Nezahualcoyotl (book and ebook)

One of the most celebrated Aztec poets, the philosopher ruled Texcoco in the 15th century.

Octavio Paz, author of In Light of India, Labyrinth of Solitude, Sunstone, An Erotic Beyond: Sade; and The Double Flame: Love and Eroticism

One of Mexico’s most celebrated writers, Paz explored the complexities of Mexican identity and culture, as well as broader themes such as love, death, and existentialism.

In The Labyrinth of Solitude, Paz examines the psychological and cultural barriers that prevent Mexicans from fully embracing their national identity.

Carlos Pellicer, author of numerous poetry collections

Pellicer was greatly influenced by the Mexican Muralist Movement, led by visual artists like Diego Rivera. The literary branch of this movement believed that literature should be rooted in the country’s history and should celebrate its indigenous heritage. An example of his poetry can be found in the Spanish language “Antologiuca de poesia Mexicana siglo XX.”

Elena Poniatowska, author of The Heart of the Artichoke, Massacre in Mexico and Tinisima

She is known for her journalistic work and her writing – more than 50 books -- that gives voice to Mexico’s marginalized communities.  Tinisima is the fictionalized account of the short but memorable life of Tina Modotti (1896-1942). The silent screen actress, model for Diego Rivera's murals, and lover of photographer Edward Weston was also a champion for the Mexican people who lovingly referred to her as Tinisima.

Alfonso Reyes, author of Cuestiones estéticas and Los tres tesoros

The late writer and diplomat wrote about the cultural identity of Mexico and its place in the world, mostly through poetry and nonfiction works. An example appears in the Spanish language “Antologiuca de poesia Mexicana siglo XX.”

Juan Rulfo, author of Pedro Páramo

Rulfo is considered a master of magical realism. Rulfo’s spare, poetic prose and use of magical realism influenced countless writers in Latin America and beyond.

Jaime Sabines, author of numerous poetry collections including Love Poems and Tarumba

Love Poems showcases the erotic verse of s Mexico's most influential modern poet.