The Old Gringo (original 1985; edition 1991)

First line:
~ Now she sits alone and remembers ~

This was an odd book.

I found the writing lyrical, poetic and, as a result of that, really enjoyed it. It read like a fairy tale a lot of the time. However it was an odd book.

I appreciated the depiction of the culture of the Mexican revolution and the cultural differences of the two Americans in the story. I was thoroughly caught up in the story of Ambrose Bierce and the fact that he was a real person who, virtually disappeared into Mexico and was never heard from again.

I did find some it confusing and so that is why I am not giving it a higher rating. Enjoyed it though! ( )

The old gringo is a former journalist who lost everything due in part to his job. In his own words, he is "A contemptable, muckraking reporter at the service of a baron of the press as corrupt as any I denounced in his name, I attacked the honor and dishonor of all men, without distinction. In my time, I was feared and hated." As a reporter, he also saw many events which disturbed him greatly. As an old man, he comes to Mexico with a mission, to die, to make amends and to fight with Pancho Villa. Only some of his goals are achieved.

Would I recommend................Although I found some of the story muddled with memories most of the novel is written with stark clarity. It's the muddle that prohibited me from giving this novel a 5/5 but it came very, very close. I look forward to reading more of Fuentes in the future. ( )

The Old Gringo is a biographical novel about the alleged disappearance of Ambrose Bierce in Mexico during the revolution. Bierce travels to Mexico because he wants to be killed--and to be a good-looking corpse. Despite these simple desires, Bierce ends up in a dangerous triangle with a General of the Revolution and an American woman. This is a very difficult book to review because it is so deeply symbolic. I think the main idea is that life is like a dream--a dream in which people are prisoners of their pasts. Because of the dream-like quality of the prose, the book is heavy reading; it's not for everybody. However, those who appreciate symbolic and tragic literature will certainly enjoy The Old Gringo. ( )

Wow! I loved this book. Fuentes' writing is amazing: dreamy, brutally honest, sensual. I expected the story to be more about the Revolution and Ambrose Bierce than it was. Instead I found a romance, an exploration of loss and pain, reconciliation with the past, and a tale of loneliness and humanity. I got a general sense that at least metaphorically it was also about relations between Mexico and the United States, but I don't think it really sank in for me. 4.5 stars.

I am looking forward to more of Fuentes' works. He is one of my new favorite writers. ( )

In 1913 the american writer and journalist Ambrose "Bitter" Bierce, then seventy one years old, decided he was old and tired, but didn't want to die of some accident or illness. In his last letter to a friend he wrote "To be a gringo in Mexico -- ah, that is euthanasia." He crossed the border to México at El Paso in November of that year with the goal of joining the forces of Pancho Villa and was never seen again. This novel is an entirely fictional account of what could have happened. It is also a story about love, hate, and the search for the (image of the) father by a young americam woman and a mexican guerilla leader. A captivating story set in the turbulent times of the Mexican revolution. ( )