THE MEXICAN PET: More ""New"" Urban Legends and Some Old Favorites

by Jan Harold Brunvand ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 30, 1986

This slim, affable volume is the third in a series of popular retellings of oral legends by Brunvand of the University of Utah. His two previous collections, The Vanishing Hitchhiker and The Choking Doberman, also contained word-of mouth tales, with added commentary. Brunvand does not take his task with the seriousness of previous folklore scholars like Stith Thompson or Paul Radin. He maintains instead a lighthearted tone throughout, even using small silhouettes to refer to his other books: a little hand with thumb extended stands for the Hitchhiker; a dog with legs splayed is the Doberman volume. The arrangement is random and the categories, such as ""Sex and Scandal"" or ""Horror,""seem chosen chiefly for titillation or entertainment value. This is fine, although the quality of the tales varies. Some are fairly crude and obvious, with heads cracked on toilet fixtures. These stories of brutal slapstick might be best enjoyed read aloud in hearty company after several rounds of beer. Other tales have more spiritual resonance. These stories are timely: they are being told as gospel truth even now. The title story is about a rich woman who adopts a pet dog in Mexico, only to find upon bringing it back to the States that it is an oversized water rat. The second involves a curious romantic activity known as ""gerbiling."" The best tribute for this book is that it captures the spirit of convivial storytelling and even encourages the activity. That is no small feat in a time when so many Americans rely on television exclusively to satisfy their appetites for narrative. Many readers must be panting to know the inside scoop on whether Michael Jackson's dancing partner on the Pepsi commercial really died, or whether on a TV program for children, a little boy really told Bozo, ""Ram it, clown."" These inquisitive people will be gratified to know that Brunvand intends to continue this series of relaxed, unofficial excursions into popular legends. Admirers of curiosa and the psychology of crowds cannot afford to miss them.

Pub Date: June 30, 1986

ISBN: 0393305422

Page Count: -

Publisher: Norton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION