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sextance's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
5.0
This is one of the most important books I’ve read in a long time. The entire afterword should be required reading for all Americans.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
prcizmadia's review against another edition
5.0
‘The Beast’ uses the story of La Bestia, the freight trains that ferry migrants through Mexico, to tell the story of migration from Central America to the US border.
If you believe in a just world where we all have opportunity, and that good or bad things happen for a reason, and people are inherently good... read this book and disabuse yourself of the notion. Find yourself in awe of the struggle to reach the border and the implacable forces arrayed against the migrant. I’ve never read something so hard hitting and painful that I could not put down.
If you believe in a just world where we all have opportunity, and that good or bad things happen for a reason, and people are inherently good... read this book and disabuse yourself of the notion. Find yourself in awe of the struggle to reach the border and the implacable forces arrayed against the migrant. I’ve never read something so hard hitting and painful that I could not put down.
ewbanh's review against another edition
5.0
Harrowing and rough, but an incredibly well-researched and presented piece of long-form journalism. If you're at all curious about migration, Central America, Mexico, or the Southwest U.S. border, you should read this. Or if you just want to read good non-fiction writing.
ejamie77's review against another edition
3.0
This book enhanced my understanding of the horrific conditions in Central America and exactly what people are fleeing when they head north. It started out strong, but slowed down toward the middle, felt somewhat repetitive and rambling, and lacked a cohesive theme. I read it on Kindle, and was also distracted by numerous typos. In all, glad I read it, but can't wholeheartedly recommend.
mynameismarines's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This was such an expansive and informative work. I don't think many people could read this and deny the work and research Martinez poured into it. I truly knew very little about the migrant trails before reading this, and was constantly overwhelmed by their reality while reading. I took a lot away from The Beast, and have new context for any news stories or political discussions about migrants and other issues at the border.
I think that for the most part, Martinez presented a balanced story. I can't speak to how any groups were represented, but I do feel like he didn't shy away from any portion of this story, good, bad or any complicated shade in between.
Because things can change pretty radically between administrations, the portions of this that discussed the US side, Border Patrol, the wall, etc, I would expect are already rather outdated. It doesn't take much away from the information that is presented, because I think it's an interesting foundation to have, but I did find myself asking about how things might be now under new policies, a new president, and as things become increasingly difficult for migrants.
I had two issues with the telling and structure of this as a book. First is that I felt it could've been better organized to tell a more cohesive story. I imagine it was quite a challenge to gather so many years of research and so many pieces of a giant story, but the result is something that jumped around a little too much for my taste. Second is that I found the translation to be a bit awkward at some points. There were word order and sentence structure things that made me feel as if the translators stuck to a more strict word for word translations instead of capturing the spirit of the meaning and correcting for English syntax.
Still, I'm glad I read this and feel as if this is a subject I will continue to learn more about, thanks to the work Martinez shared with us.
joshloftin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
A gripping journey through Mexico with immigrants riding the freight train. At times dark and sad, other times hopeful, this is a snapshot of the people — yes, people — trying to get to America for a better life, despite the extreme dangers. Extortion, kidnapping, rape, and death are all legitimate fears. Told through the narrative of a journalist who made the journey, defying Mexican authorities and narcos thugs to tell the story.
anlekaha's review against another edition
5.0
Every American should read to remind of what we take for granted, how desperately others want what we have