Initially, The Jaguar’s Children seemed only to be about the horrendous migrant experience of two young Mexican men, Héctor and César along with many others, smuggled into the United States in a truck carrying a water tank. Once everyone was inside the water tank, the entry was sealed with promises that they would be released upon reaching their destination. The truck breaks down after driving far enough to be over the Mexican/U.S. Border. The smugglers leave the truck and leave this human cargo with promises to return with help.
César and Héctor are trapped with strangers. César is mortally injured. Over the next five days, the dying of the members of the cargo is described in graphic detail. Delusions are mixed with memory, physical deterioration, desperate belief about water sources that never come. Hector, the narrator of this story, tells César’s story on a dying cell phone with hopes that he will be able to reach AnniMac, a contact on César’s cell phone.
An interesting twist to this story is that César was a young scientist learning about GMO’s ~ specifically the genetic changes to corn. Corn, one of the three sisters (corn, squash and beans), has historically been part of the Mexican diet. As well, it has been the staple crop of the Mexican farmer. The genetic changes will change all of that and César knows and is willing to tell.
Trust was inherent in this whole story. Trust in family, ancestors, science, and money. Betrayal was also inherent in this story ~ rooted in money, belief in science over cultural history and, unfortunately, humanity.
The Jaguar’s Children is an easy read about dark and disturbing subjects. John Vaillant, a known non-fiction author of The Golden Spruce and Tiger, has mastered, beautifully, The Jaguar’s Children.
“These are the times we live in, where the Spanish god of Jesus
and the ancient gods of Mexico and the modern gods of business
are harder and harder to tell from one another.”
~ John Vaillant, The Jaguar’s Children
