Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Read this on a flight home today and while it was a page turner, the end left much to be desired and left me sort of depressed. I kept flipping the page to make sure none were ripped out at the end (library book.) It really needed a solution and sort of makes me want to go look in the bushes to make sure there is no one there or makes me want to become a coyote so the immigrants don't get scammed or hurt by jerks.....
This was both painful and beautiful. The subject matter was as relevent today as when it was written.
This book begins with an upper class nature writer living in a gated community hitting a Mexican illegal immigrant with his car. Each chapter alternated with taking one of these character's perspective. While I did find this satire thought-provoking, I kept waiting for these characters to intersect again during the plot, and was very disappointed with the rushed ending.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can see why my grad school friends had their Intro to Sociology students read this book. Interesting story that combines race, immigration, class, and politics. A good read.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thoughts: feels like a lazy attempt at commentary on racism
Verdict: rape as plot device 😐
Would read again: Hell no
Overall this book was a test of my capacity to hate. Nothing have I hated as much as the experience of being forced to read this book for a grade. The characters were unlikable caricatures and while I recognize that was the intention, it was no fun whatsoever to read. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. I admit it was decently written, but the book focuses so heavily on the racist prejudices of the characters that it reads ridiculously overdone, yet it takes itself too seriously to properly read as caricature. For some reason Boyle thought rape was an appropriate plot device, but absolutely refuses to deal with it empathetically. The same with the Killing the Innocent trope at the end. He just shoves it in for shock value without any empathy for the character. I cannot overstate how angry this made me and idc it’s the point, there’s a difference between feeling rage at the plot and at the entire fucking essence of this sad excuse for a novel. The book lacks any semblance of empathy. Boyle got his message across but Shad M. Brooks himself could execute this better. Would not recommend or read again.
Verdict: rape as plot device 😐
Would read again: Hell no
Overall this book was a test of my capacity to hate. Nothing have I hated as much as the experience of being forced to read this book for a grade. The characters were unlikable caricatures and while I recognize that was the intention, it was no fun whatsoever to read. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. I admit it was decently written, but the book focuses so heavily on the racist prejudices of the characters that it reads ridiculously overdone, yet it takes itself too seriously to properly read as caricature. For some reason Boyle thought rape was an appropriate plot device, but absolutely refuses to deal with it empathetically. The same with the Killing the Innocent trope at the end. He just shoves it in for shock value without any empathy for the character. I cannot overstate how angry this made me and idc it’s the point, there’s a difference between feeling rage at the plot and at the entire fucking essence of this sad excuse for a novel. The book lacks any semblance of empathy. Boyle got his message across but Shad M. Brooks himself could execute this better. Would not recommend or read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Pregnancy, Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Classism
Minor: Child death, Hate crime
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Awesome contrasting views of the lives of an upper class family in Los Angeles and a family of illegal immigrants living in the canyons near their mansion.
Amazingly timely read. Written in the 90s but easily could have been written in response to these past two years. Provides a deep understanding of privilege, immigration, climate change, greed, racism… I could go on.
What do you think about illegal immigration? Are you sure? This book might change your thinking. The story is told from alternating points of view: an illegal Mexican immigrant and a well-off U.S. citizen in California. It's like watching a tennis match. Each character will engage your sympathy and your disapproval. There's nothing simple about this issue, and there's nothing simple about this story.