The Zigzag Way

A young American academic named Eric travels to Mexico while experiencing writer's block and dissatisfaction with his graduate research on U.S. immigration patterns. His girlfriend Em is already in Mexico conducting scientific research, but Eric cannot stay with her at the research site. Eric learns about the Sierra mining region during a lecture and realizes his own grandfather once worked there as a miner. This connection prompts him to journey into the mountains to investigate his family history and potentially gather material for his writing. The narrative follows Eric's exploration of the Sierra region, where he stays at a cultural center run by Doña Vera, an enigmatic scholar of indigenous culture. His search becomes intertwined with multiple storylines spanning different time periods in Mexican history. The Zigzag Way examines themes of personal identity, cultural memory, and the complex ways family histories intersect with broader historical events. The journey of self-discovery takes place against the backdrop of Mexico's rich cultural landscape and mining heritage.

Readers note Desai's lyrical writing style and atmospheric descriptions of Mexico's landscapes and history. Many appreciate the interweaving of Mexican and Cornish immigrant stories, with several calling out the haunting scenes in the Sierra Madre mountains. Common praise: - Rich historical detail about Mexico's silver mining past - Vivid descriptions of Day of the Dead ceremonies - Strong sense of place and culture Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly, especially in first half - Character development feels incomplete - Ending leaves too many threads unresolved One reader commented "Beautiful prose but the story never quite comes together," which reflects a frequent sentiment in reviews. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (40+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.3/5 (200+ ratings) The novel consistently receives higher marks for writing style and atmosphere than for plot and pacing.

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🔸 Cornish miners significantly influenced Mexican culture in the 19th century, bringing their mining expertise, pasty recipes, and even elements of their folklore to the Sierra Madre region. 🔸 Author Anita Desai was shortlisted for the Booker Prize three times and received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor, for her contributions to literature. 🔸 The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), which forms part of the novel's historical backdrop, resulted in over 1 million deaths and led to the creation of Mexico's current constitution. 🔸 The Sierra Madre mountain range, where much of the story takes place, contains some of the world's richest silver deposits, with mines that have been actively worked since the 16th century. 🔸 The Day of the Dead festival, which features prominently in the novel's climax, originated from a combination of indigenous Aztec rituals and Catholic traditions brought by Spanish conquistadors.