My Lost Mexico

My Lost Mexico chronicles James Michener's decades-long journey to write his epic novel about Mexico. The book details his initial attempt to craft the work in the 1960s, the subsequent loss of the manuscript, and its unexpected rediscovery thirty years later. In this behind-the-scenes account, Michener reveals his writing process and the extensive research that went into both versions of his Mexico novel. The book includes his travels throughout Mexico, interactions with locals and scholars, and the challenges he faced in capturing the essence of Mexican culture and history. The volume also contains The Texas Girls, a previously unpublished novella that emerged from Michener's Mexican research. This shorter work stands as a distinct piece within the larger narrative of his Mexican literary pursuit. My Lost Mexico serves as both a writer's memoir and a meditation on the creative process, exploring how time and perspective can transform an author's approach to their subject matter. The work demonstrates the evolution of a story through decades of an author's life.

Readers consider this a revealing look at Michener's writing process, with insights into his Mexico research. The book follows his decision to abandon his Mexico novel after 1,400 pages of work. Readers appreciated: - Behind-the-scenes view of an author's difficult decisions - Details about Michener's extensive research methods - Historical context of Mexico's culture and politics Common criticisms: - Too much focus on publishing industry politics - Repetitive explanations of why he stopped writing - Limited actual Mexico content compared to title's implication From reader reviews: "More about the business of writing than about Mexico itself" - Goodreads reviewer "Fascinating for writers but dry for general readers" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) The book appeals most to Michener fans and aspiring writers interested in the craft of historical fiction.

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🌟 The manuscript Michener rediscovered was over 1,600 pages long and had been lost in a filing cabinet for three decades. 🌟 During his research for the book, Michener attended more than 60 bullfights to understand this crucial aspect of Mexican culture. 🌟 "The Texas Girls," included in this book, was inspired by real women who crossed the Texas-Mexico border during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). 🌟 Michener made over 25 trips to Mexico between 1930 and 1990, spending more than four years in the country while researching his books. 🌟 The final published version of "Mexico" (1992) was dramatically different from the original manuscript, focusing on bullfighting and modern Mexico rather than the entire sweep of Mexican history originally planned.