Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness… Charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.
This quote by Mark Twain, from The Innocents Abroad, well sums up “The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives and Amazing Stories.” Mark D. Walker’s compelling collection of essays shines a light on a country many of us in the Western world know little about. Through these essays, Guatemala emerges as a complex nation shaped by diverse ethnicities and a painful history of exploitation. Yet within these realities a vital and intelligent people also emerge, bringing much beauty, passion, and inspiration to the world.
Why did Mr. Walker choose to pen these essays, and what credentials does he have? Perhaps…the best credentials of all. Simply put, and in his own words:
Several fellow writers asked why I’m so passionate about Guatemala and its people. The answer is simple. As a young man out of college, I lived in a Guatemalan village as a Peace Corps volunteer. I also married a Guatemalan, Ligia, who has been my life partner for over forty-eight years. My children were all born in Guatemala. So, you might say Guatemala is in my blood. And the importance of Guatemala to us has become more apparent as a growing number of Central Americans are fleeing their communities in the hopes of a better life here.
“The Guatemala Reader” is not the kind of book I initially expected. Going in, I thought it would be packed with human interest narratives and perhaps fiction shorts. However, the book is instead a collection of academic essays. While stories of individuals are included, they serve more as examples to illustrate broader points.
Each essay explores different facets of Guatemala, from its history and intricate ethnic makeup to the harsh realities of exploitation it has endured from foreign powers. Politics is also strongly visited. Mr. Walker presents Guatemala as a vital country, inspiring enduring passion in those who come to visit…and stay. The result is a multi-faceted portrait of a nation grappling with its identity and future.
Many of the essays are shocking, particularly those detailing the exploitation and suffering that have occurred throughout Guatemala’s history, and unfortunately, continue to occur. Mr. Walker touches on the brutal civil war the country suffered from 1960 to 1996, after a CIA-fostered coup in the country. This was brought on by the president wanting to return land in an organized manner to the people and by the United Fruit Company being concerned for its commercial interests. Current harsh realities are also presented. I found myself pausing frequently, not only to absorb the information but to reflect on how little I truly knew about this part of the world.
That said, the book can be a challenge to read at times. As more layers of history and injustice are uncovered, a certain stamina is required to continue. However, this is not a flaw in the writing; rather, it speaks to the gravity of the subject matter. Mr. Walker does not shy away from the difficult truths, and while this makes the book heavy in places, it is a testament to his commitment to honesty and depth.
Despite the necessary inclusion of these themes in the book, there are also light-hearted moments. Mr. Walker details a family trip back to Guatemala, the beauty they saw visiting Lake Atitlán—often described as the most beautiful lake in the world—the food they enjoyed and the places they stayed. The poetic elements embedded in the essays were also striking and were moments of beauty that also made me pause.
One of these is a poem by Earl de Berge, a strong advocate for Guatemala along with his wife Suzanne, reprinted in the volume. The passage reads:
From the Desert Southwest, the author transports us to the unique, ever-moist environs of the rainforest in Guatemala with “Chipi-Chipi:”
CHIPI-CHIPI
It is raining/ in the way of mist,/ just heavy enough/ to cling to
plants/ …too light to dimple the lake…
Chipi-Chipi is the name/ Tzutujil speakers/ give to mist rain/ that
neither/ starts nor stops/ yet accumulates/ like dew/ to drip gently
from/ palm fronds./ One senses eternity.
Personal Reaction and Emotional Impact
Reading “The Guatemala Reader” left me with a profound sense of humility, and how very little I actually know of the world. Living in North America, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the rest of the world operates similarly to our own, yet Mr. Walker’s work serves as a powerful reminder that this is far from the case. In many of the most difficult circumstances we face in our own culture, we still have far more than those in countries like Guatemala. The essays in this book opened my eyes not only to the struggles of the people in Guatemala but also to the different challenges people face around the world.
For what it is—a strongly academic exploration of a complex country—”The Guatemala Reader” is a worthy work. The essays are well-researched, thoughtful, and rich with detail. Multiple perspectives are included in the book, both from Guatemala and from the external world. That said, if the author intended to reach a broader audience, the book might benefit from being somewhat less dense.
Regardless, “The Guatemala Reader” offers not just information but perspective—a vital tool for understanding our place in the world and the many lives that exist beyond our own. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in expanding their worldview and challenging their assumptions.
In conclusion, Twain’s words resonate more than ever after reading this book of Mr. Walker’s essays. “The Guatemala Reader” allows us to travel to a country—and meet peoples—we may never visit; to learn, and to broaden our minds. To understand much more than we could…without it.
It is a journey well worth taking.