Menu
Good morning from Oaxaca, Mexico!
And hello Awin
And welcome to the 7th issue of the Cultural Reads Newsletter! A bi-weekly book, music, and movie recommendation from different countries all around the world.
In this week’s newsletter: South Africa, Mexico, and Germany.
Saul grew up as a lumberjack in the Krysnaforest in colonial South Africa. Being exploited by the English, staying in the woods would mean remaining poor and uneducated. Saul therefore decides to escape this life. However, when he hears that his tribe wants to murder the king of the forest (an elephant called Oupoot), he returns. If anyone has to kill the elephant, it should be done with respect, and it should be him. It seems, however, that the old elephant is leading him in circles as if to teach him something.
Thanks for the tip, Melissa. This is a high school mandatory read in South Africa, so a guaranteed way to connect to people. I loved the historical aspect, the mystical forest, and the coming of age story of someone trying to succeed despite not being understood and not respected.
You can find Circles in a Forest on Amazon.
AnnenMayKantereit is a German pop/rock band from Cologne.
They perform predominantly in German and have two famous hits called Ozean and Pocahontas.
It’s also worth checking out this video clip featuring The Parcels (an Australian electropop five-piece).
I’m in Mexico for work this week, so that’s a good reason to feature a Mexican classic: Y Tu Mama También.
Two Mexican teenagers, Tenoch and Julio embark on a road trip with Luisa, a 10 year older woman who decides to join them on a whim when she finds out her husband is cheating on her.
The seemingly fun and worriless trip to Heaven’s Mouth (a beautiful beach in Mexico) contains a deeper layer. Aside from the playfulness and discovering sexuality, the movie reflects on the shortness of life and finality of death
