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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
A memoir written by journalist/documentarian Jose Antonio Vargas about his experience as an undocumented person. Vargas was put on a plane by his mom when he was around 12 years old with an "uncle" tasked with delivering him from the Phillipines to California. Once here, he lived with grandparents, and didn't learn that he was undocumented until he applied for a drivers license.
The book was well written and very accessible. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in reading about the experience of someone trying to navigate school, a career and relationships under the duress of not having the right paperwork to be in this country. More than once Vargas asks questions like, what does it mean to be an American? How do you know you've earned American-ness? For U.S. citizens who've never reflected on these questions, this book is a decent primer.
Memoir can be hard to critique, too. It's a person's lived experience, and that is valid. Vargas' experience of migration, upbringing in the U.S. and professional career is likely not generalizable, and I would caution anyone that thinks his story is THE story of the undocumented experience,-- and he says this himself several times.
The book was well written and very accessible. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in reading about the experience of someone trying to navigate school, a career and relationships under the duress of not having the right paperwork to be in this country. More than once Vargas asks questions like, what does it mean to be an American? How do you know you've earned American-ness? For U.S. citizens who've never reflected on these questions, this book is a decent primer.
Memoir can be hard to critique, too. It's a person's lived experience, and that is valid. Vargas' experience of migration, upbringing in the U.S. and professional career is likely not generalizable, and I would caution anyone that thinks his story is THE story of the undocumented experience,-- and he says this himself several times.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I somehow never heard Jose's story prior to opening this book. I am so glad that I read this book. It is all too necessary. I learned so much about the history of immigration within our country and sheds light on the seemingly constant conversation and misinformation happening around immigration. Jose's words skillfully and beautifully capture what it was like to grow up undocumented in the US.
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
A journey of one undocumented Filipino man as he makes a life for himself in America and the struggles he must face. If you want to learn about citizenship and the United States history of immigration, and get a little angry read this book.
informative
sad
slow-paced
This should be mandatory reading for those who want to talk about immigration. It has a valuable perspective that often gets overlooked or smothered. Jose's experiences of trying to 'get legal' in a hostile system are important to understand as we approach the current political climate. The book stays away from partisan politics and focuses on being a memoir with a message. I think readers from any political affiliation will learn something valuable by reading this book.