American Dirt
Fiction
Flatiron Books
January 21, 2020
Advanced reader copy
400
Publisher via BookExpo
También de este lado hay sueños. On this side too, there are dreams. Already being hailed as "a Grapes of Wrath for our times" and "a new American classic", American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope. If it’s only a better life you seek, seek it elsewhere...This path is only for people who have no choice, no other option, only violence and misery behind you. And your journey will grow even more treacherous from here. Everything is working against you. —American Dirt Lydia Quixano Perez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable. Even though she knows they’ll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with four books he would like to buy—two of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is the jefe of the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydia’s husband’s tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same. Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia—trains that make their way north toward the United States, which is the only place Javier’s reach doesn’t extend. As they join the countless people trying to reach el norte, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to? American Dirt will leave readers utterly changed when they finish reading it. It is a page-turner, it is a literary achievement, it is filled with poignancy, drama, and humanity on every page. It is one of the most important books for our times.
My review:
Before I start my review, I am going to preface it by adding the link to the Goodreads page where you can read about all the controversy surrounding this book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45046527-american-dirt
I loved this STORY (and yes that word is capitalized purposefully)! I looked at it as a work of fiction, not a biography or memoir. I saw it as a beautifully written story about the lengths a mother would go to protect her son. I was completely captivated and held my breath during many of the escape scenes (jumping on the moving trains was harrowing!). I thought the characters were so well formed, even the secondary characters like Solodad and Beto. The story flowed well, although my listening to the audio likely enhanced this. It took me through the whole gamut of emotions.....it was uplifting, it was sad, it was frightening, it was eye opening and thought provoking. In other words, it was everything that I look for when I give out a 5 star review. I got it all in this book, and I'm not apologizing as a white privileged woman for loving it.
I am saddened that this book will not get the credit it deserves. I do read many books by *own voices* writers, and many of them have been favorites (The Book of Unknown Americans being one that I picked for my book club). I think there is a place for all books and all stories to be heard. I loved this one, and it will definitely make my top books of the year.
I’m about to start this book soon! So much drama around this book, so I appreciate your honest review!
I decided that despite the controversy, I was going to review it honestly (like any other book I read). Hope you enjoy it when you pick it up.
Thanks, Donna. I look forward to reading it.