A review by sharkybookshelf
Season of the Swamp by Yuri Herrera

4.0

1853, Benito Juárez, a young Mexican exile, disembarks in New Orleans and immerses himself in the city whilst plotting a return to Mexico with fellow exiles…

This was a riot of a book - fun writing, lively and quick to read. It’s an ode to the chaos of New Orleans, which is (and I say this with love) a bit of a bonkers city, though Herrera doesn’t shy away from the city’s darker aspects. It’s also an exploration of immersing oneself in a place and how experiences could shape us.

It’s a book of layers - my ignorance of Mexican history kept me largely on the surface, but I strongly suspect that there are deeper layers to reward those with more knowledge. Whilst I undoubtedly missed plenty of references to Juárez and his companions’ future trajectories (which is a reflection of me, NOT a criticism of the book), that didn’t stop me from having a thoroughly good time with it. (And if, like me, your Mexican history is lacking, I suggest reading Benito Juárez’s Wikipedia page before starting.)

A vivid and layered riot of a story.