American Dirt was always going to be controversial. With illegal immigration being a hot topic on the political front, how could a book about a mother and child making the arduous journey across the Mexican landscape to enter the United States undocumented not be? Add on the fact that American Dirt has recently been rejected by many in the literary world because author Jeanine Cummins is not considered to be "brown enough" to write a novel about Mexican immigrants, never having experienced it firsthand, and you know that you have a book on your hands that is going to debated. However, I happen to fall into the camp of readers who loved this captivating, thought-provoking story of survival and strife.
Lydia Quixano Pérez, a bookstore owner in Acapulco, has just lost nearly her entire family at the hands of a violent and vicious Mexican cartel. Now she and her son Luca must make a run for it, fleeing the home they have always known and leaving behind the ghosts of the people they loved, in an attempt to find safety beyond the border of Mexico in the arms of the United States. But the trek across Mexico to the United States was never going to be easy, as Lydia and Luca are soon to find out. Hiding from the cartels, hopping on trains, and simply surviving in unforgiving elements is sure to test their mettle, yet at the same time, strengthen their bond as mother and son. Will they make it to el norte, The North? Only time will tell.
Whether you support or oppose illegal immigration, Jeanine Cummins' American Dirt will still captivate you and give you much to think about. This is truly a novel of the times and strives to show the other side of the immigration issue; to put a face, a name, and a story to the "undocumented immigrant." People often ask why immigrants cross the United States border illegally - Cummins attempts to answer why. Cummins goes straight to the heart of the immigration issue, telling the story of a mother who will do anything to ensure that her child survives his circumstances; that he is given a chance at life. So yes, above everything else, this is a heartfelt, heartbreaking story of love between mother and child. American Dirt is both raw and gritty, yet at the same time beautiful and nuanced. Its descriptive writing is peppered with Spanish words and phrases, and readers will find themselves immersed in this story, trekking across Mexico in all its beauty and brutality alongside Lydia and Luca in search of the promises held within American dirt.
I listened to an audio production of this novel, which was an excellent choice for me, as I am not familiar with the Spanish language, and was able to experience and hear the many names, words, and phrases as Cummins intended. Listening to this book as opposed to reading it allowed me to really engage with the story and hear it as if it were coming forth from the mouths of Lydia and Luca. If you enjoy audiobooks, then I recommend listening to this one if you think you would appreciate a similar experience.
American Dirt will appeal to lovers of literary fiction, as well as those who enjoy stories of survival and heartbreak. As nearly this entire book is focused on Lydia and Luca's journey across Mexico, it is a true survival tale without much attention given to side stories or characters. The novel stays focused on its mission - seeing Lydia and Luca to the border - so readers who appreciate books that do not veer off on many tangents will like that this one keeps Lydia and Luca as its focal point.
Note - For readers who feel strongly against illegal immigration, it should be noted that Cummins is an obvious supporter of the immigrant plight, and I did feel that her work occasionally veered the way of propaganda, ensuring that nearly all the immigrants in her story were painted in a positive light; however, this is her story to tell and she chose to share the tale of a family attempting to cross the border in the hope of finding a better life in America. If you are sensitive to this type of story line or are expecting to see the other side of the immigration issue, this is not the book for you. However, if you keep an open mind, this does not mean that you cannot enjoy this story, as there are many layers to this complex novel.
Availability: Book; Large Print Book; eBook in cloudLibrary; eAudiobook in cloudLibrary
Rating: ***** Stars (I loved it)
Reviewer: Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! American Dirt
AWARDS: LibraryReads Favorite: 2020 GENRE: Literary Fiction; Multiple Perspectives THEMES: Immigrant Experiences (Moving through the world, over borders and into new and unfamiliar places, has always been challenging. These books explore the experiences of immigrants as they build lives abroad.)
CHARACTER: Courageous; Culturally Diverse STORYLINE: Character-Driven; Issue-Oriented PACE: Fast-Paced TONE: Heartwrenching; Hopeful; Suspenseful WRITING STYLE: Descriptive LOCATION: Mexico SUBJECT: Assassination; Bookstores; Drug Cartels; Drug Traffic; Escapes; Immigration and Emigration; Mothers; Organized Crime; Violence in Gangs; Widows; Women Booksellers
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