THE MYTHOLOGY OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA

A noted folklorist completes the trilogy begun with The Mythology of North America (1985) and The Mythology of South America (1988). Bierhorst's emphasis continues to be on mythological structure. Because Central America, unlike its more diverse neighbors, is identified as just one mythological area, he is able to go into more detail and to include translations of the basic myths. The first section here, ""Storytellers,"" describes the peoples of the region; ""The Basic Myths"" identifies and examines themes; ""Building Mythologies"" presents examples of the interactions of the cultures and mythologies into the present. Like its predecessors, this is not a storytelling collection but a consideration of storytelling's origins and the effects of stories on the cultures that produce them. A worthy conclusion to a valuable series. Glossary; extensive bibliography; index. Maps and illustrations not seen.