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arianatee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
5.0
I listened to the audiobook for this as a part of a class on migration and my God was this an incredibly well-researched and moving book. It felt real and raw, with stories from people of all sorts of different backgrounds recounting their journeys. In the course of the past semester, this was probably my favorite work that we read/watched. Listening to interview's with Martínez also give wonderful insight into his inspiration and decision to write this book. I highly recommend to everyone wanting to know more about a migrant's journey.
dave_daines's review against another edition
5.0
This was a highly topical selection for book club considering the "border crisis" that's facing our country. The author is on the ground, traveling with migrants from Central America, through the dangerous ranches just north of the border, where migrants are lucky not to be assaulted or raped, on to the frightful ride on top of The Beast, the train that migrants hitch a ride on, trying to hang on for dear life and avoid the various gangs along the way. He joins migrants as they reach the US border, and describes several potential crossing points, from jumping the wall, to trekking through the desert, to swimming across the treacherous Rio Grande.
This was written in 2010, so doesn't get into the caravans that have been coming from central america in recent years. I definitely understand now why caravans make sense, there is strength in numbers, and individual migrants have been abused to the point that it's hard to comprehend that they are still willing to make this trek.
The courage of the author to confront the dangers of the trail is amazing. I can't imagine being in those situations.
Definitely recommend this to anyone that is interested in what is driving migrants north, and what they are willing to go through to get here. I can't imagine the MAGA crowd would get past the first few pages, as the author concedes that migrants are, in fact, people.
This was written in 2010, so doesn't get into the caravans that have been coming from central america in recent years. I definitely understand now why caravans make sense, there is strength in numbers, and individual migrants have been abused to the point that it's hard to comprehend that they are still willing to make this trek.
The courage of the author to confront the dangers of the trail is amazing. I can't imagine being in those situations.
Definitely recommend this to anyone that is interested in what is driving migrants north, and what they are willing to go through to get here. I can't imagine the MAGA crowd would get past the first few pages, as the author concedes that migrants are, in fact, people.
teresavh's review against another edition
4.0
Se me hace un libro necesario para todos los latinos. Es horrible algunas partes por lo gráfico de la violencia y gore, pero son cosas que pasan. Hace reflexionar, y da perspectiva.
saladbar's review against another edition
5.0
Another (nonfiction book) about migrants written by a Latin American author who traveled amongst them. Read this instead of "American Dirt".
xeno_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
5.0
It's a tough read subject matter wise but very much needed for immigration discourse within the U.S. Even as someone with Central American background, there was new information in the book. Very well written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
lrrrn's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this on audible but it has been on my to-read list for a few months. Listening to the stories that were told was eye-opening and fascinating. There's so much more to migration/"escape" from South America than most of us will ever know. I wish there was a little bit more to the ending like an insight from the author but nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly suggest this to anyone interested (or not) in learning about this topic.
marielaabrown's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.25
Harrowing and poignant piece of journalism.
singout's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0