La Malinche - by Francisco Serrano (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Selected for the USBBY Outstanding International Book List

In the early 1500s, Hernán Cortés and his conquistadors defeated the great Aztec Empire, built a new city for colonists from Spain and took control of vast lands stretching from today's southwestern US down through most of Central America.

But many people don't know that one of the reasons for the success of this conquest was the invaluable help of a beautiful woman, Princess Malinali, known today as La Malinche. She was a Náhuatl princess from the coast lands of Tabasco whose kingdom was at war with the Aztec Empire. Because of her knowledge of Maya and Náhuatl languages, and her rapid acquisition of Spanish, she came to act as an interpreter and advisor to Cortés. She also bore him a child.

La Malinche is described here as she often is in Mexico as the embodiment of a new culture, one in which the mixing of races, Spanish and Aztec, created a new world. This view is not shared by all Mexicans, however. For some La Malinche is the symbol of a great betrayal that led to the death of millions of her fellow indigenous people. No one disagrees, however, that La Malinche was an extraordinary woman, whose life is fundamental to understanding the history of ancient and modern Mexico.

Includes beautiful illustrations by Pablo Serrano, maps, a timeline and further reading.

Review Quotes

"An inventive introduction to a fascinating historical figure." -- Kirkus

"The overall design of La Malinche is well executed, resulting in an accessible overview of a complicated historic figure, discussing her mythical status without diminishing her personal history." -- Lara LeMoal, CM

About the Author

Pablo Serrano is a visual artist who has shown his work in solo and group exhibitions. He received an honorable mention in the Aguascalientes 2002 competition for young artists. He lives in Mexico City.