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By Rosy Hugener with Carl Joseph Hugener - Long Grove
According to Mayan legend, the xtabentum flower that grows wild on the Yucatan peninsula first appeared on the grave of a free-spirited young woman who was scorned for her passion by the people of her village, but loved by the gods for her kind heart.
Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan is a story of two young women set in the years following the Mexican Revolution in Merida, Yucatan, one of the wealthiest cities in the world at the time. Amanda Diaz is from the “divine caste,” a small group of families of European descent who dominate the politics and economy of the region. Amanda’s lifelong friend, Carmen, is from the opposite end of the social spectrum, a Mayan Indian who is the daughter of one of the Diaz family servants. Against the true historical background of rebellion, discrimination and assassination in the unstable country, the whipping of Carmen by a Diaz neighbor exposes the sheltered existence of the two women and drives them apart. The story follows Amanda through her horror at the social injustice of the two-class Mexico to the sacrifices she makes in the name of friendship. Parts of the story take place in modern times, where the discovery of an old birth certificate sets Amanda’s granddaughter in search of a secret about her father’s birth. Her search, told in the first person, is blended with a third-person account of the lives of Amanda and her contemporaries in the 1920s.
The Yucatan Peninsula is a place of lush jungles, pristine beaches, and ancient traditions. It's a place where the past and present collide, and where the lines between myth and reality are often blurred. And it's this sense of mystery and magic that makes it the perfect setting for "Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan."
Written by a talented author who knows the region intimately, "Xtabentum" is a captivating novel that takes you on a journey through the heart of the Yucatan. It's a place where the Mayan people still practice their ancient traditions, and where the ruins of their great cities still stand as a testament to their incredible civilization.
But "Xtabentum" isn't just a book about the past. It's also a book about the present, and the struggles that modern-day Yucatecans face as they try to balance tradition with the demands of a rapidly changing world. It's a story of love and loss, of good versus evil, and of the timeless struggle between hope and despair.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Xtabentum" is the way it weaves together history, culture, and mystery. The novel is steeped in the rich traditions of the Yucatan, from the use of medicinal plants to the ancient practice of shamanism. It's also a mystery novel, with a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.
But perhaps the greatest strength of "Xtabentum" is the way it captures the essence of the Yucatan itself. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the region's stunning landscapes, from the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean to the dense jungles that cover much of the peninsula. It's a place of incredible natural beauty, and "Xtabentum" does an excellent job of bringing that beauty to life.
In short, if you're looking for a book that will transport you to a world of mystery, magic, and adventure, look no further than "Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan." It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan is a story of two young women set in the years following the Mexican Revolution in Merida, Yucatan, one of the wealthiest cities in the world at the time. Amanda Diaz is from the “divine caste,” a small group of families of European descent who dominate the politics and economy of the region. Amanda’s lifelong friend, Carmen, is from the opposite end of the social spectrum, a Mayan Indian who is the daughter of one of the Diaz family servants. Against the true historical background of rebellion, discrimination and assassination in the unstable country, the whipping of Carmen by a Diaz neighbor exposes the sheltered existence of the two women and drives them apart. The story follows Amanda through her horror at the social injustice of the two-class Mexico to the sacrifices she makes in the name of friendship. Parts of the story take place in modern times, where the discovery of an old birth certificate sets Amanda’s granddaughter in search of a secret about her father’s birth. Her search, told in the first person, is blended with a third-person account of the lives of Amanda and her contemporaries in the 1920s.
The Yucatan Peninsula is a place of lush jungles, pristine beaches, and ancient traditions. It's a place where the past and present collide, and where the lines between myth and reality are often blurred. And it's this sense of mystery and magic that makes it the perfect setting for "Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan."
Written by a talented author who knows the region intimately, "Xtabentum" is a captivating novel that takes you on a journey through the heart of the Yucatan. It's a place where the Mayan people still practice their ancient traditions, and where the ruins of their great cities still stand as a testament to their incredible civilization.
But "Xtabentum" isn't just a book about the past. It's also a book about the present, and the struggles that modern-day Yucatecans face as they try to balance tradition with the demands of a rapidly changing world. It's a story of love and loss, of good versus evil, and of the timeless struggle between hope and despair.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Xtabentum" is the way it weaves together history, culture, and mystery. The novel is steeped in the rich traditions of the Yucatan, from the use of medicinal plants to the ancient practice of shamanism. It's also a mystery novel, with a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.
But perhaps the greatest strength of "Xtabentum" is the way it captures the essence of the Yucatan itself. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the region's stunning landscapes, from the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean to the dense jungles that cover much of the peninsula. It's a place of incredible natural beauty, and "Xtabentum" does an excellent job of bringing that beauty to life.
In short, if you're looking for a book that will transport you to a world of mystery, magic, and adventure, look no further than "Xtabentum: A Novel of Yucatan." It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
Xtabentum? A house in Merida Yucatan
Why Xtabentum with an “m”?(Not Xtabentun)
A more common spelling of the Yucatan wildflower is “xtabentun.” This is also the name of a liqueur from the region. When I was doing my research I found several old books that showed the word ending in “m.” I asked a number of experts on the Mayan language and learned that at the end of the 1800s a group of prominent people decided to standardize the writing of Mayan words in the Spanih alphabet. One controversy concerned words ending with a certain sound that was somewhere between a Spanish “m” and a Spanish “n.” The group chose to spell these words using “n,” but to this day if you hear Mayan speakers say the words the sound is closer to “m.” This is the case not only with “xtabentun,” but also with “Yucatan.” So in the end I decided to go with “Xtabentum,” both because it sounds more like how Mayans say the word and to avoid any confusion with the liqueur. To buy the Book in Amazon.com Click Here |
"The novel provides the reader with a range of intriguing stories: the doomed love affair between Carlos and Cacho, the political intrigue of the revolution, the unfolding mystery of Antonio’s parents. Waving together these story lines are folk stories, songs, and vignettes that reinforce the scenes described in the succeeding chapter. The description of people and places in this novel are lush and beautiful. The Yucatan of 100 years ago comes alive, but so does a scene as mundane as a plane ride in the mid-1980 Chicago. The writers have a gift for evoking emotion and creating a nostalgic tone that permeates the entire novel" - Writer's Digest. |
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