Campesino: The Diary of a Guatemalan Indian

I read this book in the late 80s and found it exacting and deeply sad. I had traveled to Guatemala during the time the storyteller was discussing, but saw my journey through the innocent eyes of an American backpacker who believed the world was safe and loving. Over the years the story would come back to me, as I became more jaded in my outlook, more knowledgeable, and needed to document my memories. I could not find this book anywhere and it was with joy that I finally did. The book came in excellent condition, in record speed (overseas post), and took me back to the colour, the texture, the scent ~ of a remarkable time in a remarkable place among remarkable people.

"Campesino" is pure dynamite for anyone interested in the Highland Maya and their historical plight. Interestingly enough, the book is also of great value to anyone studying the American Indian in general. There is a similarity between the Maya plight and that of Indians everywhere. The only difference from country to country is the level of inculturation. In this book we see the poverty, the stubborn resistence to change, the daily confusion, and the treachery and violence coming from within the Maya community itself. The author sees the futility of his life on occasion, but keeps up his hope for a better day for himself and his family. The wonderful aspect of this book is that we go from day to day with a very ordinary Maya, who is only different from his brothers in that he is literate. He talks with great honesty about his plight which he takes as normal. I highly recommend this book for its sensitive look at daily life among the Native Americans of Guatemala, Central America and in both North and South America. Thomas J. Blumer, Lancaster, South Carolina