The Living History of Cinco de Mayo Through Rudy Ruiz’s Literary Lens

By Contributor Content  |  April 5, 2025 | 11:38am
Image credits: Rudy Ruiz
Books Features Rudy Ruiz
The Living History of Cinco de Mayo Through Rudy Ruiz’s Literary Lens

This Cinco de Mayo, readers seeking a deeper connection to Mexican-American history can find it in the works of award-winning author Rudy Ruiz. With his recent recognition on the longlist for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, Ruiz’s thoughtful exploration of border narratives continues to resonate with audiences interested in the complex interplay of history, culture, and identity.

The son and grandson of Mexican immigrants, Ruiz was born in Brownsville, Texas and raised along the U.S.-Mexico border, living in Matamoros, Mexico for extensive periods. This bicultural upbringing directly informs his writing, which has earned numerous accolades including the Texas Institute of Letters’ Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Work of Fiction and multiple International Latino Book Awards.

History Through Literary Windows

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, a pivotal moment during the French Intervention in Mexico when an outnumbered Mexican force achieved an unlikely victory against French invaders on May 5, 1862. While often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day (which takes place on September 16), the Battle of Puebla represented a critical moment when approximately 4,000 Mexican soldiers, under the command of Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated a well-equipped French force of about 8,000 soldiers who had not been defeated for almost 50 years.

The victory was significant not just for Mexico but had international implications as well. Some historians suggest that had Mexico not defeated the French at Puebla, France might have gone to aid the Confederate States during the American Civil War, potentially changing the course of U.S. history. Though the French would return with a larger force the following year, Zaragoza’s victory provided a year’s respite during which the Mexican government could prepare resistance efforts, and showed Mexicans that the French army was not invincible.

Having studied literature, creative writing and political science while earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Harvard University, Ruiz crafts literary works that offer readers a profound connection to this history and other significant periods that shaped Mexican-American identity. Through meticulous research and powerful narrative, his novels bring to life the struggles, resilience, and cultural evolution of communities along the border across different historical periods.

Valley of Shadows: Echoes of the French Intervention

In Valley of Shadows, which earned the Texas Institute of Letters’ Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Work of Fiction and was named one of the Best Horror Novels of 2022 by LitHub’s Crime Reads, Ruiz directly connects readers to the Cinco de Mayo era. The novel follows protagonist Solitario Cisneros, whose flashbacks reveal his experiences fighting alongside the Rurales against French invaders.

Through this narrative device, readers gain insight into how the French Intervention shaped national pride and cultural identity for Mexicans on both sides of the border. The novel vividly portrays both the violence of conflict and the lasting impact on border communities in Texas and the neighboring Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Chihuahua.

In one powerful passage from the novel, Sergeant Elias experiences recurring dreams of combat alongside Solitario:

“His dreams were invaded by French Imperialist forces, as they frequently were, memories that instead of fading over time only seemed to mushroom larger and more menacing in proportion. Fighting in the mountains south of Mexico City, combat in the cobblestoned streets of Puebla, at times firing rifles from straight lines of infantry, squinting after pulling the trigger, bracing himself for the fire of incoming bullets… standing back to back with Solitario, who snapped commands over the thundering cacophony of gunfire and cannons, men’s anguished screams and moans as their bodies were punctured and pierced and blown apart, the acrid stench of gunpowder filling the smoky haze, searing his nostrils.”

The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez: Cultural Cross-Pollination

Shifting forward in time, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez explores the 1950s—a period of significant cultural exchange and identity formation for Mexican-Americans. Named one of the “Top 10 Best First Novels of 2020” by the American Library Association’s Booklist and winner of two Gold Medals at the International Latino Book Awards, this novel examines the bicultural experience through its protagonist’s journey.

The story celebrates Mexico’s golden age of music and cinema while chronicling the increasing cultural cross-pollination that defined border life during these decades. Through the character of Fulgencio, readers experience the complexities of racial tensions along the border during this era:

“As racial tensions boiled over throughout the South, along the border, the dynamic of discrimination and prejudice manifested itself in an ongoing struggle between gringos and Mexicanos. Certain establishments featured signs refusing entrance to Blacks, Mexicans, and dogs. Frequently, at the movie theater, the park, the beach, or even on the streets of downtown, Fulgencio and Carolina’s romantic reverie was disrupted by a scathing racial insult, a crude joke, a snide remark, or a judgmental stare.”

The novel provides a window into how Mexican-American identity continued to evolve generations after historical events like those commemorated by Cinco de Mayo, showing how cultural heritage persisted even amid discrimination and changing social dynamics.

The Border Between Us: Modern Consequences

Ruiz’s most recent novel, The Border Between Us, brings readers to the 1970s and 1980s U.S.-Mexico border, revealing how historical forces continued to shape lives generations after the Battle of Puebla. Released to critical acclaim in 2024, this coming-of-age story portrays a border region transformed by industrialization, economic fluctuations, and emerging challenges.

Through protagonist Ramón López and his father Joe, readers witness how the American Dream evolved for later generations of Mexican-Americans. In a poignant scene, Ramón reflects on entrepreneurship along the border after witnessing violence connected to the emerging drug trade:

“What did Webster know about being an entrepreneur on the border? Maybe it should read: ‘somebody who risks his life and everything he owns for the chance to reach his dream.’ In that sense, wasn’t everyone who dared cross the Rio Grande an entrepreneur in their own right?”

Later, Ramón’s father articulates the enduring power of the American Dream despite hardships:

“‘The kind of success that lasts,’ my dad continued, scraping beans from his plate, ‘usually takes a long time to accomplish. But you can’t give up. You have to stick with it. And here, unlike south of the river, you have a chance to make it. That’s why we’re here. That’s why it’s called the American Dream, not the Mexican Dream.'”

The novel explores how cultural identity becomes increasingly complex as mass media and economic pressures intensify the pull between traditional values and new opportunities, showing how the historical legacy of Mexican-American relations continues to evolve across generations.

A Literary Journey Through Time

What makes Ruiz’s work particularly resonant during Cinco de Mayo is his ability to trace how moments like the Battle of Puebla created ripple effects that continue to influence Mexican-American experiences today. Through three different eras, his novels form a literary tapestry that helps readers understand how history shapes identity across generations.

As a member of PEN America, the Writer’s League of Texas, the International Society of Latino Authors, and an inducted member of the Texas Institute of Letters, Ruiz brings both literary craftsmanship and cultural authenticity to his historical narratives. His novels provide readers with an immersive experience into different historical periods along the U.S.-Mexico border—from the French Intervention that gave rise to Cinco de Mayo celebrations, through the cultural transformations of the mid-20th century, to the economic and social challenges of more recent times.

Each book illuminates how historical events shaped the Mexican-American experience while exploring themes that remain relevant today: identity, belonging, injustice, resilience, and the pursuit of the American Dream. As Ruiz describes in his notes about Valley of Shadows, the novel allows readers to learn about this period of Mexican history and “how it contributed to shaping national pride and cultural identity for Mexicans, including along the border states of Tamaulipas and Chihuahua.” This connection between past and present makes his work particularly meaningful as Cinco de Mayo approaches.

For more information about Rudy Ruiz and his works, visit rudyruiz.com.

 

The Paste editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.

 
Join the discussion...