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9781479876488

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Serial murderers, lucha libre wrestlers, gender-transgressing vestidas, prejudiced scientists and disoriented policemen populate the pages of this insightful study of the cultural construction of crime and criminals in Mexico. Focusing on a case that challenged what Mexicans thought they knew about crime, Vargas examines performance, images, media languages and expert discourses, and uncovers their racist and machista premises. Her criticism is original but also urgently needed, as we see how the neglect of certain victims and the criminalization of those who do not conform to gender norms contribute to the dehumanizing levels of violence that Mexico is witnessing today. -Pablo Piccato,author of A History of Infamy: Crime, Truth, and Justice in Mexico

In addition to Samperio's story, Cervantes thoroughly analyzes subjects including Mexican history, lucha libre, anthropology, serial killing and gender roles and expectations. Fascinating ... not your typical true crime book. * SLAM! Wrestling * Serial murderers, lucha libre wrestlers, gender-transgressing vestidas, prejudiced scientists and disoriented policemen populate the pages of this insightful study of the cultural construction of crime and criminals in Mexico. Focusing on a case that challenged what Mexicans thought they knew about crime, Vargas examines performance, images, media languages and expert discourses, and uncovers their racist and machista premises. Her criticism is original but also urgently needed, as we see how the neglect of certain victims and the criminalization of those who do not conform to gender norms contribute to the dehumanizing levels of violence that Mexico is witnessing today. -- Pablo Piccato,author of A History of Infamy: Crime, Truth, and Justice in Mexico This brilliant mixed-genre meditation on the life and crimes of Juana Barraza combines the pulse of true crime, a picaresque cast of historical characters, the contextual nuance of cultural history, the sophistication of queer theory, and disturbing new insights into Mexican identity and its complicated relationship with human mortalitya (trans)historical achievement of the highest order. -- Robert Marshall Buffington,author of A Sentimental Education for the Working Man: The Mexico City Penny Press, 1900-1910

This brilliant mixed-genre meditation on the life and crimes of Juana Barraza combines the pulse of true crime, a picaresque cast of historical characters, the contextual nuance of cultural history, the sophistication of queer theory, and disturbing new insights into Mexican identity and its complicated relationship with human mortality-a (trans)historical achievement of the highest order. -Robert Marshall Buffington,author of A Sentimental Education for the Working Man: The Mexico City Penny Press, 1900-1910 Serial murderers, lucha libre wrestlers, gender-transgressing vestidas, prejudiced scientists and disoriented policemen populate the pages of this insightful study of the cultural construction of crime and criminals in Mexico. Focusing on a case that challenged what Mexicans thought they knew about crime, Vargas examines performance, images, media languages and expert discourses, and uncovers their racist and machista premises. Her criticism is original but also urgently needed, as we see how the neglect of certain victims and the criminalization of those who do not conform to gender norms contribute to the dehumanizing levels of violence that Mexico is witnessing today. -Pablo Piccato,author of A History of Infamy: Crime, Truth, and Justice in Mexico

Serial murderers, lucha libre wrestlers, gender-transgressing vestidas, prejudiced scientists and disoriented policemen populate the pages of this insightful study of the cultural construction of crime and criminals in Mexico. Focusing on a case that challenged what Mexicans thought they knew about crime, Vargas examines performance, images, media languages and expert discourses, and uncovers their racist and machista premises. Her criticism is original but also urgently needed, as we see how the neglect of certain victims and the criminalization of those who do not conform to gender norms contribute to the dehumanizing levels of violence that Mexico is witnessing today. -Pablo Piccato, author of A History of Infamy: Crime, Truth, and Justice in Mexico

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Susana Vargas Cervantes is a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University, New York.

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