Title: American Dirt: A Novel
Author: Jeanine Cummins
Release Date: January 21st 2020
Genre: Hispanic American Literature
~Synopsis~
También de este lado hay sueños. On this side, too, there are dreams.
Lydia Quixano Pérez 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 a few 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. It is a literary achievement filled with poignancy, drama, and humanity on every page. It is one of the most important books for our times.
Already being hailed as “a Grapes of Wrath for our times” and “a new American classic,” Jeanine Cummins’s American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.
~Add To TBR~
~My Review~
Every once in awhile, you come across a book that changes your life. It gives you the biggest book hangover ever and you’re ok with it. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummings is that book for me.
I am blown away at how incredible this book is. It is heart breaking but also give you a sense of hope. It is an in your face look at an issue that is still relevant in today’s world. It’s raw and real. I appreciated that the author didn’t sugar coat certain parts in the book. This book also affected me emotionally. I live close to the border and also have known people in those types of situations. My heart hurt for Lydia and Luca. It also hurt for the others as well. I have no words to properly articulate how much I enjoyed this book.
If you’re looking for a different type of read, one that will make you think and feel, this book is for you. I give this 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*
The Literary Vixen 