The Mexican Stand-In

Set against a Mexican backdrop of drug cartels, corrupt politics and police, suppressed indigenes and Spanish colonists, The Mexican Stand-In is a dynamic re-imagining of the life of a modern-day Jesus. Its author, Togol O'Flinn, has cleverly created a 21st century equivalent (in many ways) of the Roman/Jewish Palestine of 2000 years ago; with its class structures, wealth hierarchy, its fusion of different languages, cultures and traditions and religion. The well-written story uses many references and details from the New Testament alongside imagination to fill in details of His birth, youth and education. The story also attempts to explain some of the wider-known 'miracles'; namely, the crucifixion and resurrection. The notion of the 'virgin birth' in this case is the child of a Nahuatl (indigenous) girl working in the Colonias (US owned factories along the Rio Grande) and the son of the WASP factory owner. Thanks to a rich uncle, the mixed-race boy enjoys a fine education and employment in the family business, which sees him travelling around the world. During one such trip, the boy (Teycapan) is convinced that Mexico needs to change and begin by ridding its alien influences - eg the Spanish and the drogistas. And so his quest begins. Very soon the drug barons become worried about his growing popularity, as does the Church (whose corrupt ways are becoming common knowledge). A conspiracy to try Teycapan and crucify him ensues. This is a crucial time for him to discover who his friends really are.