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Home is as much a state of mind as it is a place. Miguel struggles to find his way home after a local drug cartel steals his childhood while turning his town into a war zone. He attempts not to lose himself on his journey back to a place and a feeling that may only exist in his memory.
About the Author |
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Writing on the subject of drug cartels felt like a huge responsibility. I was writing fiction, so I had no obligation to be truthful. But I was writing for a purpose, so I felt like I had a moral imperative to clearly represent, as best I could, the painful reality of many people across the world.
I kept a woman that I had never met at the forefront of my mind while I wrote Viva Mexico. I had seen her on TV at a town meeting somewhere in Arizona or Texas. A young woman with tousled brown hair, she was screaming angily that her home is no longer safe. She wouldn’t go back. Her fear was palpable. Desperate. I couldn't forget her. |
This story was born of research. Friends who have read it asked me, “Is that true? Does that happen?” To some things, I answer yes. It is likely worse than I depicted. Other things may happen. If I can imagine it happening, it probably does.
In the beginning of my research, I was shocked to learn how much the people of Mexico suffer. But, I have read about other countries as well. For example, in parts of Africa, the poorest people are offered money in exchange for one of their kidneys. They know nothing about the procedure or recovery. They know they are starving and money equals food so they do it. They voluntarily give up their kidney. The problem is, the money doesn’t follow. They are given a pittance of what had been promised and left to deal with their reality.
So, could what I describe in my book happen? I don’t know for certain, but I have a solemn constant worry that it does.
Viva Mexico is about life in a small middle class town in Mexico after a local drug cartel invades. It also explores human nature, the pursuit of power and how each of us affects the lives of others with our decisions.
In the beginning of my research, I was shocked to learn how much the people of Mexico suffer. But, I have read about other countries as well. For example, in parts of Africa, the poorest people are offered money in exchange for one of their kidneys. They know nothing about the procedure or recovery. They know they are starving and money equals food so they do it. They voluntarily give up their kidney. The problem is, the money doesn’t follow. They are given a pittance of what had been promised and left to deal with their reality.
So, could what I describe in my book happen? I don’t know for certain, but I have a solemn constant worry that it does.
Viva Mexico is about life in a small middle class town in Mexico after a local drug cartel invades. It also explores human nature, the pursuit of power and how each of us affects the lives of others with our decisions.
