This novel is an imaginative account of what might have happened to Ambrose Bierce, with Carlos Fuentes stating he had a deep admiration for the late writer. Set during the American Civil War, the novel touches on themes of warfare, revolution, heroism, death, and cultural identity. The novel interestingly focuses on the significance of borders, showing how they can represent hope for some people while representing pain and suffering for others.
For example, the Mexican border for the old gringo represents the final frontier, as he essentially travels to Mexico in order to die in battle, fighting for a cause he believes in. For Harriet, the border represents adventure and hope for a new, exciting life away from her mundane engagement in America. However, another character in the text describes the border as a "scar," reminding us of the pain and suffering borders cause for some people. We also see how borders represent a physical boundary, but also psychological boundaries for some of the characters.
The novel is historical, describing Mexico in 1913 with incredible detail. There are many accounts of violence and warfare due to the fact that the events of the novel take place during the Civil War; however, there are also descriptions of identity and intimate relationships between the characters, which give the novel psychological depth and complexity. It is ironic that at the end of the text, the old gringo is actually killed by his companion Arroyo, rather than being killed in combat as he wished.
