Unraveling Time: Thirty Years of Ethnography in Cuenca, Ecuador

Ann Miles has been chronicling life in Cuenca, Ecuador, for over thirty years, witnessing change and the enduring consequences of political and social movements, transnational migration, and economic development. Her book, Unraveling Time, takes a long view, revealing what change has meant in a major Latin American city and serving as a reflection on ethnography itself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 17 January 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

Ann Miles has been immersed in the vibrant tapestry of life in Cuenca, Ecuador, for over three decades. Throughout this remarkable journey, she has witnessed an unending procession of transformations. Cuenca, a bustling regional capital adorned with modern trains that effortlessly transport residents through historic plazas, has embraced the world and observed as its own citizens embark on perilous journeys of undocumented migration abroad. Families have ventured from rural hamlets, only to face displacement from the gentrifying city center. Over time, children have received education, streetlights have illuminated neighborhoods, and remittances from distant lands have contributed to the construction of new homes, sometimes tearing families apart. Roads have bridged the gaps between once-separated individuals, and the ubiquitous presence of cell phones has replaced the leisurely camaraderie of hanging out at the corner store.

Unraveling Time, a captivating exploration, delves into the profound and enduring impacts of political and social movements, transnational migration, and economic development in Cuenca. Miles meticulously examines the intricacies that often evade the attention of less dedicated observers, suggesting that a deeper understanding can be gained by examining the entirety of lives. Through her practice of ethnography of accrual, Miles adopts a long-sighted perspective, where decades of seemingly disparate experiences converge to shape cultural transformation. Her approach not only unveils the profound implications of change in a significant Latin American city but also serves as a thoughtful reflection on the very essence of ethnography itself.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477326190