The Beats in Mexico

The Beats were fascinated by Mexico, and this book explores why and how they represented its culture in their work. It also examines the roles played by lesser-known female Beat writers, such as Margaret Randall, Bonnie Bremser, and Joanne Kyger, who made Mexico a central setting of their work and interrogated the misogyny they encountered in both American and Mexican culture. The book also places them within a larger history of countercultural figures who mythologized Mexico as the land of the Aztecs and Maya.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Mexico holds a prominent place in the literature and personal legends of the Beat writers, spanning from its portrayal as an extension of the American frontier in Jack Kerouac's On the Road to its status as a haven for writers with criminal backgrounds, such as William S. Burroughs. However, the narrative of Beat literature and Mexico extends beyond the limelight of its renowned male figures to explore the significant contributions of lesser-known female Beat writers.

In this groundbreaking book-length exploration, the author delves into the profound fascination of the Beats with Mexico and their artistic representations of its culture. Through meticulous analysis, the volume examines canonical figures such as Kerouac, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Lamantia, McClure, and Ferlinghetti, shedding light on their profound connections with Mexico. It also devotes individual chapters to women like Margaret Randall, Bonnie Bremser, and Joanne Kyger, who each made Mexico a central setting of their work and critically examined the misogyny they encountered in both American and Mexican cultures.

The Beats in Mexico goes beyond individual Beat writers and places them within a broader historical context of countercultural figures, including D.H. Lawrence, Antonin Artaud, and Jim Morrison. These individuals mythologized Mexico as the land of the Aztecs and Maya, where shamanism and psychotropic drugs offered a gateway to extraordinary experiences that transcended the boundaries of the American imagination.

This captivating volume offers a fresh perspective on the Beats' relationship with Mexico, shedding light on their artistic endeavors, cultural encounters, and the enduring impact they had on the literary landscape. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Beat literature and Mexico, providing a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted connections between these two vibrant cultures.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978828728