Its always an interesting experience to read a novel from the point of view of someone who is borderline insane. Yankee Invasion is very interestingly written, as it alternates between the feeling of a play, a novel, and a research paper written from the point of view of a Mexican in the middle of the invasion. The novel bounces back and forth between the narrator actually writing his chronicle and having discussions with his wife about it, and the time when he was young and in the grips of fear during the Mexican-American war. There are even a few chapters written from the perspective of his doctor friend which were very informative. It took a little while to figure out whether you were reading in the present or the past, but it becomes clearer as you continue on.
I learned a great deal about the history of this war from a very unique perspective. I sometimes found it difficult to read a book where the point of view was very blatantly anti-American (being an American myself), and there were times where I almost felt harassed by the sheer amount of propaganda that was thrown out. His tone was often bitter and you feel as if he hates you as you read his words. On the other hand, it was definitely interesting to see the war from another point of view! And while his anti-Americanism didnt entirely leave his psyche, it did taper a bit at the end and it ended on a more positive note. The experiences he went through were harrowing, to say the least. I definitely have a better understanding and greater empathy for those people and what they had to endure.
Overall, I felt the whole point of this novel was to inform others about how Mexicans felt (and, Im sure, still feel) about this war. It clearly shows the feelings, frustrations and fears of the impotent citizenwhile the powers that be play their political games with the citizens as their pawns. Yankee Invasion has a lot to offer in terms of painting a vivid picture and creating an impression that lasts. Overall rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I learned a great deal about the history of this war from a very unique perspective. I sometimes found it difficult to read a book where the point of view was very blatantly anti-American (being an American myself), and there were times where I almost felt harassed by the sheer amount of propaganda that was thrown out. His tone was often bitter and you feel as if he hates you as you read his words. On the other hand, it was definitely interesting to see the war from another point of view! And while his anti-Americanism didnt entirely leave his psyche, it did taper a bit at the end and it ended on a more positive note. The experiences he went through were harrowing, to say the least. I definitely have a better understanding and greater empathy for those people and what they had to endure.
Overall, I felt the whole point of this novel was to inform others about how Mexicans felt (and, Im sure, still feel) about this war. It clearly shows the feelings, frustrations and fears of the impotent citizenwhile the powers that be play their political games with the citizens as their pawns. Yankee Invasion has a lot to offer in terms of painting a vivid picture and creating an impression that lasts. Overall rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
