Reviews

Bestia. O ludziach, którzy nikogo nie obchodzą by Óscar Martínez

selwachang's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

meyeso's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative tense medium-paced

3.75

mary_h_w's review against another edition

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5.0

Gut wrenching and necessary

abisko's review against another edition

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4.0

A very intense book! A nightmare at the door step and an education in the details!!!

shyster's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

4.25

linsvlasak's review against another edition

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4.0

This was so good. Heartbreaking, but worth it in order to learn more about the Central American migrants who risk everything for the chance of a better life in the United States. After reading American Dirt, and seeing the controversy it provoked, I wanted to read about this subject from a Central American author. Oscar Martinez is a Salvadoran investigative journalist who spent two years traveling with migrants through Mexico. My favorite quote from the book comes from the afterword - “I’m not hoping readers will feel compassion for the men and women who go through this hellish trial in order to wash your plates, to cut your grass, to make your coffee. I hope, rather, that the book generates respect for these men and women, for those who have done something for their families that many of us could hardly find the strength to do.”

patty_s1000's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars

mwichita's review against another edition

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This depth and breadth of this book is amazing.

A companion book, En el Camino: México, la ruta de los migrantes que no importan
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10682141-en-el-camino,

joseluismg's review against another edition

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4.0

Este es, en definitiva, un libro que te abre los ojos ante la dura y triste realidad que experimentan miles de migrantes centroamericanos que ya ni siquiera buscan alcanzar el "sueño americano" sino escapar de un contexto violento e inhumano en sus países de origen. Un libro que, a más de 10 años de haberse escrito, narra una problemática que, desafortunadamente, sigue vigente.

divya_gopinath's review against another edition

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4.0

Context: I've been on a reading binge that focuses on immigration to the USA. I think I have a decent understanding of the internal American policies and a sense of the push/pull factors that lead people to decide to come here, at least as much as a privileged US citizen can "understand" these things. This book was essential to fill in the gaps of exactly how people cross the border. It's really not as simple as one day you up and leave your home, family, and heritage. It's a long and arduous journey riddled with politics and drugs and tenacity and fear. It reminded me that transience can be a permanent lifestyle when there are so many barriers to moving on. I wish I understood Spanish, though-- the translation was good but I'm sure the original text was even better.