Mexico is a great book if you're looking to cosy down by the fire for a novel, however, if you are more interested in finding out about the history of mexico, as I was, you will be sorely disappointed. Although there are many true factual points noted in this novel, there are make believe towns and sculptures and make believe names of people you feel are real, as is the case in all novels. I'm not spoiling anything by saying that I promise you. Overall it's a great book and written well but please remember it is a novel and if using as a tour guide for visiting Mexico or for relaying stories about Mexico you're better of getting a travel book.

Would recommend for a good story though.

I have always wanted to visit Mexico. Haveing lived in California for a while I developed a great admiration of the Mexican culture. The story is of a writter, what could be easier for an author than having his main character be an writter. As always Michener is complete at starting his epic from the beginning (a trademark I love) and bringing you up to modern times. The stories of the native indians and old Spain provide a great backgound. What I felt was the most compelling though was his providing some American characters (tourists) to view his modern day Mexico. They provide a way for him to view some of our stereotypes and misconceptions of Mexican culture. What would Mexico be without Bullfighting, a very captavating and exciting sport, despite the fact that I have never seen one in person.

I'll usually sit out a bad book just for the sense of completion, but after 300 pages of 'Mexico' I needed a twelve-hour nap next to a bucket. Flat, ghost-like characters, and a snoozer plot about a sport I couldn't care less about (who would guess from the title it's about a couple of sleazy bull-fighters?!) had me dry-heaving at page 20. . .and it just kept getting worse. Half way through I did something I've only done twice in my life--I threw an unfinished book in the garbage.
Almost anything by Michener is a great read. . .I say "almost" because of 'Mexico.'

This Michener's novel is a tiny little bit different different from his usual pattern, because, besides describing Mexico (beautifully) it has a theme. The author managed to reconstitute the bullfighting in great detail, evoking its real charm. I was never (and I am still not) a fan of bullfighting, but in the perspective shown in "Mexico" it is captivating.
Another book which will not disappoint Michener's fans.

I've read many other Micheners, but this one took an abnormally long time for me to finish. I just couldn't get into this one.

Like other reviewers, I found the seemingly endless descriptions of buillfighting a bit tedious: I don't know if bullfighting is truly THAT important in Mexico, but I was willing to let Michener decide upon what he wanted to write.

After reading other Michener books, I was comfortable with what I expected pre-read: a decent overview of the history of Mexico told through the lens of a few families. Well, we got that (a little), maybe I just wanted more of a fix. If you're like me, "Mexico" will leave you jones-ing for more.

While it's not a bad book, by any means, there are plenty of other books to read before this one.