- ASIN: B0B5JJGJPB
- Publication date: June 29, 2022
- Language: English
- Print length: 351 pages
- Genre: History of Mexico
The BookViral Review:
In a blaze of colour imagery and a maze of ancient flashbacks, ‘Mexican Sunset’ shines its light on highly emotive and deep parts of human nature and dependency, following the emotional biographic adventure of Rick Jebb as he negotiates loss, love and the difficult business of growing up. However, following a chronological structural thread is the only commonality this journal shares with the plethora of life stories in print. Rather, Jebb offers a whirlwind of social commentary, historical musings and personal reflection, all wrapped up in his own coming of age.
We follow Jebb deep into the Mexican South, as he discovers both its stunning topography and the human cultural, religious and sometimes frankly terrifying practices that have shaped its destiny. Set on a path of enquiry and discovery by the death of his step-father, Jebb finds himself on high seas, thrown between waves of attraction, endeavour, and experimentation as he seeks to keep his head above water, as all the while deeper questions about mankind’s motivations, and the ultimate question of purpose pull at his mind in undercurrents.
‘Mexican Sunset’, is nothing if not frank. At times self-deprecating, Jebb gives an honest appraisal of his life as he moves from young teen to man and does not shy away from admitting weaknesses and negative personality traits, but rather uses these to demonstrate the inherent characteristics of man, which he connects with man’s choices and actions stretching far back into the eons of history.
Jebb’s personal revelation comes in the beautifully written chapter ‘The Volcano’, where we follow his journey to the peak of ‘Popo’ and share in history seeped deeply into the terrain, echoing the blood of human sacrifice which defines the Aztec ethnohistory. This moment is a turning point for Jebb as he contemplates his own role and that of his creator.
A deeply poetic book, far-reaching in its complexity, ‘Mexican Sunset’ is a fascinating look at the connectedness of peoples, nature, and their origins. It is unreservedly recommended!
