Jennifer Clement’s New Book Expresses Her Love For Mexico
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Loading... - Ryder Smith
- 01 Jul 2024
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Award-winning author Jennifer Clement's latest work, "La Fiesta Prometida" (The Promised Party), offers an intimate and nostalgic reflection on her past, the social and cultural shifts in Mexico, and the essence of Mexican identity. In a conversation with Mexico News Daily, Clement shared her inspirations, central themes, and the importance of memory in her writing.
Through fragmented memories and personal experiences, Clement weaves a rich and complex tapestry that captures the reality of two distinct cities and eras. Growing up in Mexico City, she was acutely aware of the omnipresence of lost love. In "The Promised Party," this sentiment is portrayed through the losses and heartbreaks that are integral to both the narrative and her own life.
The book also mirrors a personal odyssey. In the final chapter, Clement explores her return to Mexico after spending much of her adult life in the United States. She describes Mexico as possessing "a particular anarchy, where we know that all is lost," a fatalistic perspective deeply rooted in Mexican identity and reminiscent of the sonnets of legendary Mexican poet Sor Juana.
Clement recounts unusual experiences from her past, such as visiting public baths with her nanny, Chona: “How did they allow it? I was like some kind of strange creature there, inside the steam bath where the poorest people in Mexico went because they didn’t have bathrooms.” These fragments create a collective memory that encompasses both her personal life and the history of Mexico City.
In Clement’s literature, the city is not just a setting but a character in itself. She constructs "The Promised Party" in fragments, reflecting the workings of human memory. The book is divided into two parts: Mexico City and New York City, covering the first 27 years of her life. This non-linear structure allows for a deeper exploration of the chance experiences and influences that shaped her life and writing career. “The book also has a lot to do with luck, chance, and fate. It starts with Burroughs and ends with Burroughs, with this very strong scene where he tells that all is lost.”
A powerful theme in "The Promised Party" is Clement’s unconditional love for Mexico. “It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, a Mexican outside of Mexico will only think about Mexico.” This love drives her continual desire to return to her homeland despite having lived in places like New York. She describes this feeling as a Mexican inevitability, a compulsion to be in Mexico despite its challenges. This love is also reflected in the cultural richness of Mexico, which Clement proudly highlights, mentioning the country's painters, architects, musicians, sculptors, and writers who have made a significant impact on the global art scene.
"The Promised Party" has already been sold for publication in several countries, including Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Sweden.
