The Underdogs (Signet Classics)

About this book

The Underdogs Mariano Azuela Ten years after its publication in a small El Paso paper The Underdogs achieved worldwide renown as the greatest novel of the Mexican Revolution. It tells the story of Demetrio Macas a modest peace-loving Indian who is forced to side with the rebels to save his family. In the course of battle he becomes a compulsive militarist almost despite himself and his courage leads to a generalship in Pancho Villas army. But as the rebels suffer defeat after defeat Macas loses prestige and moral purpose at the hands of turncoats camp followers and the peasants who once loved him. The social conscience and bitter irony of Azuelas classic novel have earned him comparisons to Chekhov and Gorky. As Mexico continues to celebrate and struggle with the consequences of its great revolution The Underdogs remains a powerful and insightful portrait of social upheaval. Translated by E. Munguia Jr. With an Introduction by Ana Castillo and an Afterword by Max Parra