On the Plain of Snakes

De: Paul Theroux

Narrado por: Joseph Balderrama

The master of contemporary travel writing, Paul Theroux, immerses himself in the beautiful and troubled heart of modern Mexico.

Nogales is a border town caught between Mexico and the United States of America. A 40-foot steel fence runs through its centre, separating the prosperous US side from the impoverished Mexican side. It is a fascinating site of tension, now more than ever, as the town fills with hopeful border crossers and the deportees who have been caught and brought back. And it is here that Paul Theroux will begin his journey into the culturally rich but troubled heart of modern Mexico.

Moving through the deserts just south of the Arizona border, Theroux finds a place brimming with charm, yet visibly marked by both the US border patrol looming to the north and mounting discord from within. Attending local language and culinary schools, driving through the country and meeting its people, Paul Theroux gets under the skin of Mexico.

From the writer praised for his 'curiosity and affection for humanity in all its forms' (New York Times Book Review), On the Plain of Snakes is an urgent and mesmerising exploration of a region in conflict.

©2019 Paul Theroux (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd

epic chronicle of an outstandingly bold odyssey

Theroux has outdone himself with this epically literate and literary adventure through most of the land mass and cultures of modern Mexico, sparing no detail and pulling the reader close with edgy descriptions of encounters with the soul, spirit and body of living Mexico.

Excellent Book Helped by a Fine Reading

I have read all of Paul Theroux's travel books. On the Plain of Snakes is among his best. It is reflective and provocative, both. I frequently listen to books and Joseph Balderrama's narration outstanding. I would happily listen to him again.

ENJOYING

Audible, in answer to your question at the end of the recording: “I CERTAINLY HAVE ENJOYED THIS PROGRAM “
Again, this is a very good book by Paul Theroux.
Informative, entertaining. Important to learn about the country and its people.
Their ambitions, their artistic abilities and the striving for a more prosperous life for themselves.
So close to our country and so different in many ways.
Needless to say that I ABSOLUTELY recommend listening.
The narrator, mr. Joseph Balderrama, is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK

Hmmmm...interesting

I frequently had to remind myself that this was not a historical fiction/non-fiction. These people and places exist alongside me within the same calendar. This audiobook gave me a better view of the story behind the headlines concerning Mexico. I appreciate the learning I received from this experience.

Interesting and educational

I can definitely appreciate the research and the amount of work that went into this book with so many characters, stories, and the bilingual aspect of telling the story in two languages. Not to mention that it sounds as an author had a death wish traveling to Mexico to put this book together. Living near but never been to Mexico, I found this book very interesting, engaging, eye opening, and I feel certainly more educated about the area, the people and their customs, and the culture of Mexico. Although at times hard to follow with so many characters and some irrelevant sotries, some philosophical talk about other books and authors, this book was an easy read and entertaining especially because of the fact that it's a true account of the Mexico and it's people and the culture. It made me want to learn the language, and it made me more sympathetic towards the Mexican people. So many stories and accounts of the hardship that is basically story of their lives, so much to think about while listening to this book.
The narrative was ok, however I had a hard time reconciling the narrator voice to the actual age of the author. It sounded as a 20 something year old was narrating the story of a man in his 60s and there was some type disconnect for me while listening to it, especially at times when author's age was mentioned in the book. I think it would have been better to have this book narrated by the author himself or someone a bit older. That's just my opinion, but otherwise it was a great book. Definitely recommend.

A ride through Mexico

I felt like I was riding in the car alongside one of my favorite travel writers. I liked hearing stories of people crossing the border. As a near border resident myself, it made the book especially relevant.
The narrator seemed to mispronounce some things, but I found it forgivable and thought it was probably caused by switching languages frequently. I enjoyed the chance to learn some more Mexican phrases.

The length and attempt at exhausting his experiences was impressive.

I disliked the narrator's ever effusive use of local accent along with several mispronunciations, even in English. As usual, I disliked the numerous arrogances that Theroux cannot seem to avoid in any of his nonfiction works. He is, indeed, a learned man and a courageous traveler whose mind is always curious, but it seems he cannot ever quite get over himself, maybe especially when feigning self deprecation. All that said, I am still compelled by the broad nature of his work and attempts at capturing the complete picture and nature of place and people. It's always provocative when not perfectly evocative. Here, please, excuse my own clumsy or pedantic shot at specificity.

In addition, having lived in Mexico "locally," i.e. not in an expat bubble, for thirty-plus years, and nonetheless having never been an ardent advocate of the culture, I can still say with confidence that numerous encounters described, along with the attendent dialogue, sound fabricated, narratives that too conveniently validate an agenda. They just do not sound real to me. The general color and character of Mexico is pretty well captured, but in my mind, dubiously done as an experience of travel.

Gain a better understanding of Mexico

Mexicans dont all speak Spanish. Many speak indigenous languages. NAFTA created many of Mexico's problems. Factories were relocated from America to just over the border in northern Mexico. The workers earn 10 dollars US a day to make Bose speakers. In Chiapas, the most southern province in Mexico, Guatemalans, and Central Americans ride the train north, which is known as, La Bestia. Many are robbed or raped. People fall off as they try to board the trains and have limbs severed off. An indian reservation in America is a convenient spot for drug dealers to send their product north and bring guns from America south. That area isnt the US and it also isnt Mexico. The poorest Mexicans live in the south. Mexicans worshiped death before the Spanish foisted their language and God on Mexicans. The numerous stories of migrants coming to the US in search of work was also illuminating. Most return to Mexico due to family issues. Maybe one day revolution will divide this dangerous country, which is being destabilized by corruption and cartels. The shocking dismemberments and decapitations occuring there reflect a country descending into chaos.

read and learn

hard to read about things you know happen, but the author writes so well it's easy to listen to. I learned things I'd forgotten from long ago and many things I never knew. highly recommend.

Superb Narration

I'm so impressed with the narration of Joseph Balderrama!!! His many accents are so coherent and authentic - for me it made this good book a great book.
This is in contrast to many other well meaning narrators, who are incapable of pronouncing even one word in a foreign language correctly.